Autodesk Inventor is a new generation 3D computer aided design system featuring latest solid modeling and assembly modeling approaches and technologies. It makes a big move from conventional comprehensive solid modeling environment to a user-friendly design intent oriented CAD environment.

The simplification of interface does not sacrifice system capabilities. On the other hand, this significantly reduces learning curves and facilitates companies to exploit potential of cutting edge solid modeling technologies in very short time.

The new solid modeling approach in Autodesk Inventor provides clear concepts on latest design intent oriented modeling approach such as parametric constraint-based and feature-based solid modeling. Additional advanced modeling module such as sheet metal part provides better process specific solutions.

Functions for collaborative work are available in Autodesk Inventor. This facilitates industry adopting concurrent engineering and enables seamless management of product data.

A 4 wheel drive racing car model constructed in Inventor

Assessment Format

The assessment is conducted in 2 sessions:

Syllabus

The assessment requires candidate to design and construct 3D models in Autodesk Inventor and generate associative presentation and documentation. Understanding fundamental concepts in using the computer aided design system and in-depth knowledge of commands are also expected.

• Understanding Inventor user interface: pull-down menu, toolbar, panel bar, short cut menu, pointing device, and viewports
  
• Inventor file system: part files for constructing solid parts, assembly files for assemblies of solid parts or sub-assemblies, presentation files for exploded views of an assembly, drawing files for engineering drawings, pack and go wizard to export project files, and interoperability with import / export file formats
  
• Solid modeling: orthographic view, perspective view, parametric feature-based solid modeling concepts, parametric versus non-parametric approaches, use of work features (work point, work axis, and work plane), sketching on sketch plane, project geometry, construct 2D Spline, import AutoCAD file, apply parametric dimensions, apply geometric constraints (eg. parallel, perpendicular, tangent, coincident, concentric, collinear, horizontal, vertical, equal, and symmetry), construct sketch features (eg. extrude solid, revolve solid, sweep solid, and loft solid, and coil solid), use of Boolean operations (join, cut, and intersect), apply placed solid features (hole, shell, fillet, chamfer, rectangular pattern, circular pattern, mirror, and face draft), construct derived solid, assign light, material, color, and texture, use of organizer, and define part properties
  
• Assembly modeling: assembly design approach (bottom-up, top-down, and hybrid approach), place existing components into an assembly, create new components in an assembly, degrees of freedom, grounding, transformation of objects in 3D space (move and rotate), place assembly constraints (mate, angle, tangent, and insert), use of snap 'n go and composite iMate, define motion, define transitional surface constraint, animate mechanical motions in an assembly with drive constraint, construct a bill of materials, define assembly properties, and use of design assistant
  
• Advanced modeling techniques: 2D design layout, graphic slicing, adaptive technology, design parameters (use parameters table and external spreadsheet), design elements (join, cut, and intersect design elements), design notebook, design collaboration (network and share permissions, set files to multi-user, and windows netmeeting), and motion simulation
  
• Presentation view: construct presentation view of assembly (automatically and manually), control trail and tweak, precise view rotation, capture camera, animate presentation, and output animation file
  
• Sheet metal modeling: sheet metal concepts, sheet metal part file, use of sheet metal style, corner round and corner chamfer, sheet metal flange, sheet metal bend, sheet metal corner seam, sheet metal cut, hole, rectangular pattern, circular pattern, mirror, generate sheet metal flat pattern, and conversion between sheet metal part file and a normal solid part file
  
• Preparing engineering documentation: understand concepts of orthographic projections, create associative engineering drawing views in Inventor including base view, projected view, template, auxiliary view, section view, and detail view, flat pattern view of a sheet metal part, engineering drawing views of an assembly, presentation views of an assembly, and create annotations (eg. dimensions, centerlines, hole table, surface texture symbol, weld symbol, geometric tolerance symbol, text, bill of materials, and balloons)
  

next >