Mastering Autodesk Inventor 2016 and Autodesk Inventor LT 2016

Your real-world introduction to mechanical design with Autodesk Inventor 2016
Mastering Autodesk Inventor 2016 and Autodesk Inventor LT 2016 is a complete real-world reference and tutorial for those learning this mechanical design software. With straightforward explanations and practical tutorials, this guide brings you up to speed with Inventor in the context of real-world workflows and environments. You'll begin designing right away as you become acquainted with the interface and conventions, and then move into more complex projects as you learn sketching, modeling, assemblies, weldment design, functional design, documentation, visualization, simulation and analysis, and much more. Detailed discussions are reinforced with step-by-step tutorials, and the companion website provides downloadable project files that allow you to compare your work to the pros. Whether you're teaching yourself, teaching a class, or preparing for the Inventor certification exam, this is the guide you need to quickly gain confidence and real-world ability.

Inventor's 2D and 3D design features integrate with process automation tools to help manufacturers create, manage, and share data. This detailed guide shows you the ins and outs of all aspects of the program, so you can jump right in and start designing with confidence.

Sketch, model, and edit parts, then use them to build assemblies
Create exploded views, flat sheet metal patterns, and more
Boost productivity with data exchange and visualization tools
Perform simulations and stress analysis before the prototyping stage
This complete reference includes topics not covered elsewhere, including large assemblies, integrating other CAD data, effective modeling by industry, effective data sharing, and more. For a comprehensive, real-world guide to Inventor from a professional perspective, Mastering Autodesk Inventor 2016 and Autodesk Inventor LT 2016 is the easy-to-follow hands-on training you've been looking for.

Paul Munford (United Kingdom) is a CAD/CAM manager and drafter. Paul uses CAD for setting out joinery, and communicating project ideas to clients. Outside of work, Munford communicates with other CAD users as the author of The CAD Setter Out , a blog devoted to sharing tips, tricks, and tutorials for AutoCAD and Autodesk Inventor. He also conveys the humorous side of CAD use in cartoon form as the artist behind Cadaroo .

Autorentext

Paul Munford is an Application Engineer for Graitec Professional Services. Until recently Paul was the CAD/CAM manager for a cabinet maker in the United Kingdom. In his role as a CAD manager and drafter, Paul used CAD for setting out joinery and communicating project ideas to clients. Outside of work, Paul shares his love of CAD as the author of Cadsetterout.com, a blog devoted to sharing tips, tricks, and tutorials for AutoCAD and Autodesk Inventor.
Paul Normand is a principal content developer at Autodesk, Inc. Previously, he designed high voltage electrical substation equipment and high tech laboratory equipment. He became an applications engineer for an Autodesk reseller and spent the next sixteen years demonstrating, training, and supporting Autodesk manufacturing software.

Inhalt
Introduction xxvii Chapter 1 • Getting Started 1

Understanding Parametric Design 1

Creating a Base Sketch 1

Creating a Base Feature 2

Adding More Features 3

Using the Part in an Assembly 3

Making Changes 4

Understanding History-Based Modeling and Dependencies 4

Taking a Closer Look at Sketch Dimensions 5

Following Part Modeling Best Practices 7

Following Assembly Modeling Best Practices 8

Understanding the Feel of Inventor 10

Understanding the Intuitive Interface 10

Using General Tools vsSpecifi c Commands 12

When in Doubt, Right-Click 12

Using the Graphical Interface 13

Inventor Title Bar 14

Graphics Window Tools 15

The Ribbon Menu 17

The Browser Pane/Model Browser 19

Dialog Boxes and the In-Canvas Mini-Toolbars 19

Task-Based Tools 20

Learning the File Types in Inventor 20

What Is an Inventor Project? 22

Project Files and Search Paths 22

Library Folders and Library Editor IPJ Files 25

Content Center Files 26

How Search Paths and Project Files Are Used 26

Exploring Project File Types 27

Creating a Project File 29

Creating Single-User Projects 29

Creating Multiuser Projects 38

Understanding Inventor Templates39

Working with Styles, Style Libraries, and Company Standards 40

The Bottom Line 40

Chapter 2 • A Hands-on Test-Drive of the Workflow 43

Creating a Part Model 43

Starting with a Part Template 45

Understanding Origin Geometry 45

Creating a Base 2D Sketch 46

Creating a Profi le in the Sketch 48

Creating a Base 3D Feature 48

Creating a Secondary 2D Sketch 49

Creating a Secondary 3D Feature 51

Patterning a 3D Feature 52

Creating and Detailing Drawings of Part Models 53

Creating a Base View on a Drawing 53

Creating Projected Views on a Drawing 55

Creating Dimensions on a Drawing 55

Putting Part Models Together in Assembly Files 56

Placing, Rotating, and Moving Parts in an Assembly File 57

Working with Degrees of Freedom in an Assembly 58

Placing Assembly Constraints to Defi ne Mechanical Movement 60

Creating and Detailing Drawings of Assembly Models 63

Creating an Assembly Detail View 63

Placing a Parts List and Balloons 65

Exporting a Drawing to a PDF File 66

The Bottom Line 66

Chapter 3 • Sketch Techniques 69

Exploring the Options and Settings for Sketches 69

Application Options 70

Document Settings 75

Sketching Basics 75

Creating a Sketch on an Existing Sketch 76

Projecting Geometry into Your Sketch 77

Breaking Links to Projected Geometry 79

Deleting a Sketch 80

Creating Another New Sketch 80

Creating Dimensions 81

Creating a Sketch in a New Part 82

Creating a New Part File from a Template 82

Creating Lines Using the Line Tool 84

Understanding Sketch Constraints 86

Using Degrees of Freedom to View Underconstrained Sketch Elements 88

Using Dimensions to Fully Constrain a Sketch 89

Understanding the Save Options 92

Making a Sketch Active for Edits 93

Using Construction Geometry 93

Using the Polygon Tool and Creating an Aligned Dimension 95

Using Offset and Creating a Three-Point Rectangle 97

Creating Driven Dimensions 99

Taking a Closer Look at Sketch Constraints 102

The Tangent Constraint 103

The Perpendicular Constraint 103

The Parallel Constraint 104

The Coincident Constraint 105

The Concentric Constraint 105

The Collinear Constraint 106

The Horizontal Constraint 106 The Verti...