3D AutoDesk Inventor Tutorial
ROCHESTER INSTITUTE OF TECHNOLOGY
MICROELECTRONIC ENGINEERING
3D Auto Desk Inventor Tutorial
Dr. Lynn Fuller
Webpage: [Link]
Electrical and Microelectronic Engineering
Rochester Institute of Technology
82 Lomb Memorial Drive
Rochester, NY 14623-5604
Revision Date: 2-12-2016 [Link]
© February 12, 2016 Dr. Lynn Fuller Page 1
3D AutoDesk Inventor Tutorial
OUTLINE
Introduction
Inventor 3D Software
Simple Cantilever Example
2D Sketch
3D Part
Stress Analysis
Displacement Analysis
Output
References
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3D AutoDesk Inventor Tutorial
INTRODUCTION - 3D DESIGN SOFTWARE
There are a few different kinds of 3D design software available for use
by RIT students. The preferred software for compatibility with the 3D
printers is Inventor. This software can be downloaded for free by
students from the internet. SolidWorks is another software that can be
found on RIT computers in Mechanical Engineering. Both of these
programs use similar vocabulary and functions, so after learning one
software, it is not difficult to transition to another. The basic operations
are either identical or very similar with only minor nuances between
programs.
Above graphics from software websites.
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3D AutoDesk Inventor Tutorial
USING 3D DESIGN SOFTWARE
The basic premise behind the design software is that one first creates
a two-dimensional drawing and then converts it into a three-
dimensional shape using one of four main functions.
Two-dimensional sketches are fairly straightforward. There are
functions for drawing circles, rectangles and free form shapes.
The image at right shows a
preliminary sketch as a
circle is drawn and the
designer specifies the radius.
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3D AutoDesk Inventor Tutorial
USING 3D DESIGN SOFTWARE
There are four main functions for converting the two-dimensional
sketch into a three-dimensional object:
-Extrude: bring the profile up perpendicular (ex. circle -> cylinder,
square -> cube/rectangle
-Sweep: draw a path and keep the profile normal to the path – can
draw any path that the profile takes (unlike extrude which
has to be a straight, perpendicular line) (we used to make spring) Above image shows
extrusion of circle to
-Loft: like sweep but possible to gradually change the geometry of form a cylinder.
the profile (ex. square into circle)
- Revolve: rotate the profile around an arbitrary axis that you set
Sweep circle along
curving line to produce
shape at right.
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3D AutoDesk Inventor Tutorial
AUTODESK INVENTOR - CREAT A NEW PART
Select New Part
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SET UP UNITS AND GRID
Select Tools
>Document Settings
>Units
>Set to micron
>Set to Degree
>Set to Kilogram
>Sketch
>Set x and y snap to 1micron
>Grid Display
Minor=1
Major=10
Apply
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3D AutoDesk Inventor Tutorial
SOME TIPS
The middle mouse button is used to zoom in or out
View > Zoom All, etc.
This icon lets you to select different views
RIGHT, FRONT, TOP, etc. (click on text)
or ROTATE axis (click on corner and drag)
more
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3D AutoDesk Inventor Tutorial
CREATE A 2D SKETCH
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3D AutoDesk Inventor Tutorial
EXTRUDE 2D SKETCH TO MAKE 3D SHAPE
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3D AutoDesk Inventor Tutorial
EXTRUDE 2D SKETCH TO MAKE 3D SHAPE
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SET UP MATERIAL UNITS
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MATERIAL PROPERTIES FOR SILICON
Density 2.3290 g/cm3
Thermal Expansion 2.6um/(m-K)
Thermal Conductivity 149 W/(m-K)
Young’s Modulus 160 GPa
Shear Modulus 70 GPa
Poisson Ratio 0.28
Yield Strength 12GPa
Tensile Strength 14GPa
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HAND CALCULATIONS
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3D AutoDesk Inventor Tutorial
FINITE ELEMENT ANALYSIS
Select Environments, then stress analysis and create simulation
Mesh View
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3D AutoDesk Inventor Tutorial
SET CONSTRAINTS AND LOADS
Point Load
Force = 19uN
Fixed Edge
Constraint
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OTHER SIMULATION RESULTS
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3D AutoDesk Inventor Tutorial
1st PRINCIPAL STRESS
40.5 MPa from simulation
37.5 MPa from hand calculations
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3D AutoDesk Inventor Tutorial
Y DISPLACEMENT
0.677 um from simulation
0.658 um from hand calculations
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3D AutoDesk Inventor Tutorial
VON MESIS STRESS
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Richard von Mises
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3D AutoDesk Inventor Tutorial
OTHER STRUCTURES OF INTEREST
Complex Cantilever Diaphragms
Cold Arm
Chevron Hot Arm
Thermal Actuator
Thermal Actuators Fixed Points in Red
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OTHER STRUCTURES OF INTEREST
Springs Fixed Points in Red
Multilayer Different Materials
Simple Bridge
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THERMAL STRESS AND DISPLACEMENT
Still working on it
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ANIMATIONS
Movies
Still working on it
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3D AutoDesk Inventor Tutorial
FILE FORMATS – SAVING, 3D PRINTING
There are two different types of files that are
important when it comes to saving your Screen capture
design. Save the design as a Parts file (.prt) at right shows
to allow you to continue editing the design. exporting a
In order to print the file, save it as an STL file as .stl and
file (.stl). You may have to export the file as below shows
an .stl if that option does not appear under saving a file to
the save menu. This type of file can be .stl format.
uploaded to the Maker software so the design
can be printed. Before clicking save once
you have selected .stl, click on settings and
in the top left hand corner of the box that
pops up; make sure that the units are the
units that you designed the part with so that
it has the correct dimensions when printed. [Link]
Autodesk Inventor Parts (*.stl)
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3D AutoDesk Inventor Tutorial
REFERENCES
1. Auto Desk website help.
2. Dr. Fuller’s Tutorial on 3D printing. See webpage
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3D AutoDesk Inventor Tutorial
HOMEWORK – AUTODESK INVENTOR TUTORIAL
1. Duplicate the drawing and evaluation of a simple cantilever with
different dimensions.
2. Draw and evaluate one of the structures on page 30.
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