Sketches and Simulation

The ability of Inventor to integrate AutoCAD means that previous efforts will not go to waste. Today, we will see this in action as blocks created in AutoCAD almost come to life in the Simulation environment of Inventor Professional.

With the ability to reuse designs from AutoCAD, analyzing concepts in the first few phases of the Digital Prototype becomes a snap.

Video Link:

http://www.screencast.com/t/NzY2ZGY5OT

Blogged by Jason, yet another Cad Geek

Part Fill Analysis - Inventor Tooling

When working within the injection mold industry there seems to be a lot of money for someone to make. One area that does real well are the company’s manufacturing the mold designs themselves not normally for the first design but the rework to follow.

Autodesk Inventor tooling has some great analysis built into it that will allow us to:

Identify Part Defects—pinpoint the severity and location of potential manufacturing defects, such as weld lines and air traps. Then, make design changes to avoid these problems.

A part fill analysis evaluates an individual plastic part. Fill analyses answer the following questions:
1. Will the injection molding process produce parts of acceptable quality?
2. Which material should be used?
3. What are the optimal process settings?
4. How many gate locations are required and how will this affect mold filling?
5. Where are the potential defects such as weld lines and air traps?

After the analysis is complete we have the ability to investigate the following results:
Fill time result - The Fill time result shows the position of the flow front at regular intervals as the cavity fills.
Confidence of fill result - The Confidence of fill result displays the probability of plastic filling a region within the cavity under conventional injection molding conditions.
Quality prediction result - The Quality prediction result is used to estimate the quality of the mechanical properties and appearance of the part. This result is derived from the pressure, temperature and other results.
Air traps result - The Air traps result shows a thin, continuous line wherever an air trap is likely to occur.
Weld lines result - The Weld Lines result displays the angle of convergence as two flow fronts meet.

Having this easy to use functionality and others we can produce a better plastic part and overall mold design which will lead to much less rework and a better mold design the first time.

Video Link:

http://www.screencast.com/t/ZGY0MzVmZ

Created by one of the Cad Geeks

Combine drawing templates using Sheet Formats!

In my travels I still see a lot users thinking they need a separate template file for each sheet size. This isn't wrong, it works well for AutoCAD but Inventor has a solution and they're called Sheet Formats!

A sheet format is a saved combination of...

• Size

• Landscape/Portrait

• a Title Block

• a Border and...

• Base and Projected Views

Watch and Learn!
http://www.screencast.com/t/YzJiMWVjZWU

Blogged by Josh, Yet another CAD Geek

Automating Inventor

Tata Technologies recently conducted an “Intro To Design Automation With Autodesk Inventor” webinar. This webinar is currently still available for review at: https://www2.gotomeeting.com/register/683034715

To review any past webinars you can find them at: http://www.tatatechnologies.com/autodesk/Webcast_Download.asp?Menu=Vid

This Automation webcast offered a look into a scalable and affordable path for adding design automation to your Autodesk Inventor workflows. Adding Automation to your design practices has some tremendous benefits like:

• Repetitive tasks done faster / more efficiently
• Reduce order-engineering throughput time
• Reduce order-engineering resources / costs
• Better Sales effectiveness
• Improved quality through consistency

We have also found from a short survey that many companies try to add some level of automation but never fully follow through with the idea due to:

• Knowledge
• Time
• Budget

As covered in the Design Automation with Autodesk Inventor webinar there are 3 ways of adding automation while using Autodesk Inventor:

• Inventor’s native tools
• Inventor iLogic
• Inventor Automation Professional

All 3 options allow for a scalable solution that build on one another and may only take a little time, knowledge and budget to quickly start realizing the benefits of automation.

At Tata Technologies we stand firm on the idea that an educated customer is our best customer. We provide our customers options during the process of investigating our products and services to allow the customer as much information as possible. If you would like to learn more:

• Request a phone call from one of our application engineers to talk about the technology and understand how it will benefit one’s business.
• Schedule a demonstration of Automation Technology
• Email us at cadgeeks@tatatechnologies.com for either of the above or any other needs.

Tata Technologies looks forward to working with you on all your future technical needs!!!

Have a safe and Happy Holiday,

The Tata Technologies CAD Geek Team

iProperties Button

If you want quick access to the iProperties command, you can have an iProperties button showing in the Inventor 2010 interface at all times:

Created by a resurrected CAD Geek.

Generating the Core and Cavity with Autodesk Inventor Tooling

One of the most time consuming tasks when creating an injection mold tool can be determining the core and cavity of a design. Autodesk Inventor Tooling turns this into a simple 5 step procedure:

1. Orientate the direction of the mold opening


2. Define the workpiece settings


3. Create patching surfaces


4. Create run off surfaces


5. Generate the core and cavity

Lets take a look how this can all be accomplished within minutes.

Video Link:
http://www.screencast.com/t/ZDUyNDQxZmQt
Created by Dave one of the Cad Geeks

Autodesk Has a Solution for the Injection Mold Industry

This post talks about and contains easy to find resources for any company today that designs or has plastic parts manufactured. Autodesk has a great solution to make these companies profitable and competitive in the injection mold industry. To learn more about any of the products available today please contact us at:
cadgeeks@tatatechnologies.com

Is your company using or producing plastic parts? The injection mold industry is facing unique challenges that Autodesk has a solution for, these challenges consist of:

· Global competition for Tooling Jobs
· Increasing Complexity of designs
· Need for better Quality products
· Reduced lead time
· Losing experienced mold makers

The answer is “AIT” – Inventor Tooling Suite
AIT Mold Design gives designers and engineers intelligent tools and catalogs to quickly and accurately generate mold designs directly from the digital prototype. Additional benefits are:

· Improve the tool design efficiency
· Improve the quality of tooling designs
· Be able to effectively compete on price
· Minimize the need for physical prototypes
· Be able to quote accurately on jobs

Your can download a trial of Autodesk Inventor Tooling software to try it out on your own for 30 days with the link provided. http://usa.autodesk.com/adsk/servlet/pc/item?id=13744393&siteID=123112

This past week Tata Technologies hosted two Better and Better Webinars covering functionality of the following:

12/9 – Better & Better Webcast – Intro To Autodesk Inventor Tooling - https://www2.gotomeeting.com/register/223621627

· Validate manufacturability of your design with Moldflow capabilities
· Optimize plastic injection mold design
· Automation of complex operations such as cavity and core creation
· Access to many standard catalogs for mold bases, sliders, lifters, ejectors and much more!

12/10 – Better & Better Webcast – Introduction to Autodesk Moldflow Advisor – https://www2.gotomeeting.com/register/179499866

· Optimize plastic part and mold designs before manufacturing begins
· Predict potential defects before mold tooling is cut
· Validate your design’s manufacturability

We have recently produced Autodesk Inventor Tooling Tutorial videos on YouTube. Please select the link below if you own the technology today or would like to investigate its functionality further.
http://www.youtube.com/view_play_list?p=CEDFFBB964A71E57&search_query=Autodesk+Inventor+Tooling+Tutorials

Please feel free to contact us (cadgeeks@tatatechnologies.com) about discussing the benefits and functionality of the Autodesk Inventor Tooling Suite or any other Autodesk product.

Autodesk Inventor Publisher Technology Preview

Check out this new tool and see how you can rapidly create assembly instructions and technical publications based on Autodesk Inventor data.

DOWNLOAD IT HERE

HOW TO VIDEOS HERE

Kevin with the CAD geeks

FYI... Please take our Blog feedback survey here. We would like to know how you think we can make it better

Exporting Vault File data

One of the commonly overlooked features of Vault is the ability to use file property and status data as an organization and project management tool. Any type of search or folder view can be customized to show specific property data. This might be important when browing the Vault, but it could also be critical information to be used in other business systems or project management. For these reasons, data in the file pane can be exported and used for other purposes.

Check out this video of the File-> Export command in action. The content to be exported is also dependant on the currently selected Vault pane as shown in the video as well.

Watch Video Here

Contributed by Ben of the Tata Technologies CAD Geeks

FYI... Please take our Blog feedback survey here. We would like to know how you think we can make it better.

How can we make our Blog better?

Well this month is our two year anniversary of tips in tricks on our CAD Geek blog.

Please take this survey and tell us how you think we are doing, and provide any ideas to help us make the blog better for you.

Thanks for all your support to date.

Kevin with the CAD Geeks

Click here to take survey

Injection Mold Gate Location Analysis with Inventor Tooling

One of the most important decisions in any injection mold process is selecting the gate location for your material flow into your part. Many companies do this by tribal knowledge or in other words experience. This might not always be the best way to make such an important decision with your injection mold design. There are many factors that come into play when making this decision like:

• Material being used
• Part design
• Mold temperatures
• Pressures to be used

and this list can go on and on. Autodesk Inventor Tooling can analyze your best gate location for you very quickly to make sure you are right the first time avoiding costly rework to any injection mold design. This is only one of the great and easy to use features you find inside Autodesk Inventor Tooling, let's take a look.

Video Link:

http://www.screencast.com/t/ZDBiOTMw

Created by Dave one of the Cad Geeks

Got a twitch ? ..... Autodesk Project Twitch that is

Have you ever wanted to check out the new version of a program without going through the hassle of trying to do a side by side install?

Have you ever wanted to run a CAD application, but your hardware requirements weren't going to cut it?

Now you can test out Autodesk CAD technology without installing it........using Project Twitch from Autodesk Labs

At this point in the technology preview, the supported applications are:

• AutoCAD 2010
• Autodesk Inventor 2010
• Autodesk Revit Architecture 2010

Give it try and see what you think.

Kevin with the CAD Geeks

3 more webcasts this week...go further with Autodesk digital prototyping

Check out these three webcast to help you go further with your digital prototyping ....

12/9 - at 11 am est - Better and Better Webinar Series - Introduction to Inventor Tooling

12/10 - at 11 am est - Better and Better Webinar Series - Introduction to Moldflow Advisor

12/11 - at 11 am est - Better and Better Webinar Series - Design Automation with Autodesk Inventor

Sign up here to get recording info for the Autodesk Algor webcast from today.

Inventor Fusion Technology Preview - Don't Miss It

I recently saw the Inventor Fusion technology preview in Action at Autodesk University, and the main thing that impressed me was the user interface. There are many more context sensitive right-click "marking menus" like Alias if you have seen that. I was able to create geometry without ever leaving the center of my screen or even using hotkeys. Take a look at this short video for a fast example of the Inventor Fusion. I even turned the ribbon bar off for this example to show off the right click tools in action.

Watch Video Here

Contributed by Ben of the CAD Geeks

2 more days to test your Autodesk Inventor skills

Do not wait......Tons of your peers have already started the CAD Geek Ninja Challenge.

Be sure and try yourself of send to anyone you know who uses Autodesk Inventor.

check out yesterdays blog post for more details.....

http://askthecadgeek.blogspot.com/2009/12/cad-geek-ninja-challenge-for-inventor.html

CAD Geek Ninja Challenge for Inventor users - CONTEST IS NOW LIVE

CAD Geek Ninja Challenge

Procedure:

1. Take the survey - Click Here to take survey

2. Get link to download files

3. Print copies of the two drawings (PDF or DWF)

4. Study the drawings as long as you want (no practice modeling sessions J)

5. Start modeling

6. Email us your parts for checking to cadgeeks@tatatechnologies.com via email, by 9 pm EST Friday 12/4

7. Become a Fan on www.Facebook.com – Search for Tata Technologies CAD Geeks on www.facebook.com (http://www.facebook.com/pages/Tata-Technologies-CAD-Geeks/163859769373)

8. Post a comment on our wall saying “I took the CAD Geek Ninja Challenge”

9. Once this has happen your parts will be qued up to be reviewed with results being posted on www.facebook.com next week.

Scoring

1. Scoring for the Casting part will be a combination of speed and accuracy

a. SPEED - Within your email place tell us how long it took you to model this part, then we will verify that using the Inventor model editing time function, so don’t stare at a blank ipt too long before you being modeling.

2. Scoring for the Sleeve part will be a combination of Least Features and accuracy

Possible Prizes:

1. 3D Connection device - http://www.3dconnexion.com/

2. CAD Geek Ninja T-shirt

3. Free copy of I CHECK IT for Autodesk Inventor - www.tatatechnologies.com/icheckitinventor

4. Free Login to our Autodesk eLearning web site – http://www.myigetit.com

New Showcase Community

Showcase now has its own community on Autodesk's "The Area" website. The Area is for the Digital Entertainment & Visualization Community and Showcase users now have a great resource at their fingertips!

Check it out here...
http://the-area.com/products/showcase

Created by Aaron... Your Alias/Showcase CAD Geek!