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Autodesk Inventor Pro 2008 Dynamic Simulation and Stress Analysis
Autodesk Inventor Pro 2008 Dynamic Simulation and Stress Analysis
Inventor ™
Professional 2008
46206-050008-1700A
August 2007
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Published by:
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Contents
Introduction . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . xi
v
Lesson: Running Simulations and Analyzing Results . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 96
Overview. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 96
Running Simulations . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 97
About the Output Grapher. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 100
Using the Output Grapher . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 102
Reviewing and Analyzing Simulation Results . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 105
Exercise: Calculate the Driving Torque of the Wiper Assembly . . . . . . 107
Chapter Summary . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 110
vi ■ Contents
Appendix A: Additional Support and Resources . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 197
Courseware from Autodesk . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 198
Autodesk Services & Support. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 200
Autodesk Subscription. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 200
Autodesk Consulting . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 200
Autodesk Partners . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 201
Autodesk Authorized Training Centers . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 201
Autodesk Certification . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 202
Useful Links . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 202
Contents ■ vii
viii ■ Contents
Acknowledgements
The Autodesk Official Training Courseware (AOTC) team wishes to thank everyone who
participated in the development of this project, with special acknowledgement to the
authoring contributions and subject matter expertise of Ron Myers and CrWare, LP.
CrWare, LP began publishing courseware for Autodesk Inventor in 2001. Since that time,
the company has grown to include full-time authors and subject matter experts, each with
a unique set of industry experiences and talents that enables CrWare to create content that
is both accurate and relevant to meet the learning needs of its readers and customers.
The company’s Founder and General Partner, Ron Myers, has been using Autodesk
products since 1989. During that time, Ron Myers worked in all disciplines of drafting and
design, until 1996 when he began a career as an Applications Engineer, Instructor, and
Author. Ron Myers has been creating courseware and other training material for Autodesk
since 1996 and has written and created training material for AutoCAD, Autodesk Inventor,
AutoCAD Mechanical, Mechanical Desktop, and Autodesk Impression.
Acknowledgements ■ ix
x ■ Acknowledgements
Introduction
Welcome to the Autodesk Inventor Professional 2008: Dynamic Simulation and Stress Analysis Autodesk
Official Training Courseware (AOTC), training courseware for use in Authorized Training Center (ATC®)
locations, corporate training settings, and other classroom settings.
Although this courseware is designed for instructor-led courses, you can also use it for self-paced
learning. The courseware encourages self-learning through the use of the Autodesk® Inventor™
Professional 2008 Help system.
This introduction covers the following topics:
■ Course objectives
■
Prerequisites
■
Using this courseware
■ CD contents
■
Completing the exercises
■
Installing the exercise data files from the CD
■ Projects
■
Notes, tips, and warnings
■
Feedback
Course Objectives
After completing this course, you will be able to:
■
Describe the Dynamic Simulation and Stress Analysis environments and the major components of
the user interface, and describe and create dynamic simulations and stress analysis results.
■
Create a dynamic simulation of a mechanism using joints and environmental constraints, and
eliminate redundancy in the design.
■ Use the Stress Analysis environment to determine stress, deformation, and natural frequencies
on parts.
■
Solve engineering and design problems using Dynamic Simulation and/or Stress Analysis.
xi
Prerequisites
This course is designed for experienced Autodesk® Inventor™ users who want to learn about the tools
and workflows in Autodesk Inventor Professional 2008 for simulating the operation of mechanisms
and motorized assemblies and predicting part stress and deflection.
It is recommended that you have:
■
A working knowledge of parametric part and assembly design using Autodesk Inventor.
■
A working knowledge of Microsoft® Windows® 2000, or Microsoft® Windows® XP.
CD Contents
The CD attached to the back cover of this book contains all the datasets you need to complete the
exercises in this course.
xii ■ Introduction
After launching the onscreen exercises, you might need to alter the size of your application to align
both windows.
Unless you specify a different folder, the exercise files are installed in the following folder:
C:\Documents and Settings\All Users\Autodesk Learning\AIP 2008\
Dynamic Simulation and Stress Analysis
After you install the data from the CD, this folder contains all the files necessary to complete each
exercise in this course. You can also use the Autodesk Learning shortcut on your desktop to quickly
access the datasets for each AOTC course on your system.
Projects
Most engineers work on several projects at a time, and each project might consist of a number of files.
You can use Autodesk Inventor projects to organize related files and maintain links between files. This
courseware has a project file that stores the paths to all the files related to the exercises. When you
open a file, Autodesk Inventor uses the paths in the current project file to locate other required files.
To work on a different project, you make a new project active in the Project Editor.
Introduction ■ xiii
Follow the instructions below to locate the Dynamic Simulation and Stress Analysis project file for this
courseware and make it active.
Warnings provide information about actions that might result in the loss of data,
system failures, or other serious consequences.
Feedback
We always welcome feedback on Autodesk Official Training Courseware. After completing this course,
if you have suggestions for improvements or if you want to report an error in the book or on the CD,
please send your comments to AOTC.feedback@autodesk.com.
xiv ■ Introduction
Chapter
1
Introduction to
Engineering Analysis Chapter1:
This chapter introduces you to the Dynamic Simulation and Stress Analysis environments. You
learn how to use dynamic simulation and stress analysis to analyze designs and identify their
successes and flaws before you build costly physical prototypes.
Objectives
After completing this chapter, you will be able to:
■
Describe the Dynamic Simulation environment and the processes you use to create
simulations to evaluate motions in an assembly.
■
Describe the Stress Analysis environment and the processes you use to create and analyze
designs.
1
Lesson: Dynamic Simulation Overview
Overview
This lesson describes the Dynamic Simulation environment, and its interface and tools. The lesson also
describes the processes you use to create simulations to evaluate motions in an assembly, to size
actuators, to determine bearings, and to compute stresses in parts. Proving the validity of your designs
before you build saves time and money by eliminating costly reworking and alterations after the build
process has begun. Simulation data serves as a valuable presentation tool for customers to assure
them that you are providing a design that meets their requirements.
The integration of Dynamic Simulation with Autodesk® Inventor™, and the Dynamic Simulation
evaluation mechanisms, provide you with valuable tools to test, refine, and prove your designs.
Objectives
After completing this lesson, you will be able to:
■
Describe the Dynamic Simulation environment.
■
Identify the Dynamic Simulation interface, its tools, and its unique browser nodes.
■ Describe the basic process for creating a dynamic simulation.
Simulation Panel
The Simulation Panel is used to run a simulation. With this tool, you control the simulation time, how
many time steps are calculated, and the speed at which the simulation runs. The Simulation Panel is
synchronized with the mechanism in the graphics window and the Output Grapher, so that you can
see the position of the mechanism and the resultant force in the Output Grapher at any time step that
you choose. In the UI, the Simulation Panel is located below the Dynamic Simulation browser.
In the following illustration, the Simulation Panel is shown with the slider at 50%, halfway through the
simulation.
1. Open CamValve.iam.
5. In the Dynamic Simulation browser, expand
the Contacts Joints node. Right-click nº4 : 2D
Contact (Cam:1, Valve:1). Click Properties.
6. In the nº4 :2D Contact (Cam:1, Valve:1)
dialog box, for Restitution, enter 0. Click OK.
Overview
This lesson introduces you to the concept and overall process for performing a stress analysis in
Autodesk Inventor Professional.
In a typical product design cycle, you may need to examine how your design will perform under
certain real-world conditions. When the product will be exposed to forces, loads, and constraints
during normal use, it is important that you design the product to function properly to withstand these
forces, loads, and constraints.
In the following illustration, the results of a stress analysis indicate how the part would be deformed
under specific load and constraint conditions.
Objectives
After completing this lesson, you will be able to:
■ Describe stress analysis and how you can use it to validate your designs.
■
Describe how the Stress Analysis environment is integrated into the Autodesk Inventor
user interface.
■
Explain how to perform basic stress analysis.
■ Perform a basic stress analysis and review the results.
The size of each element in the mesh determines the resolution of the results. The smaller the
elements, the more accurate the numerical results, but the model takes longer to process. In areas of
the model where the stress is fairly constant, large elements are adequate; however, where the stress
changes rapidly, such as near a stress concentration, smaller elements are required.
Access
Stress Analysis
Click to update the stress analysis to incorporate changes in the part model.
Click to display the results of the last stress analysis result item.
This chapter introduced you to the Dynamic Simulation and Stress Analysis environments. You
learned how to use dynamic simulation and stress analysis to analyze designs and identify their
successes and flaws before you build costly physical prototypes.
Having completed this chapter, you can:
■
Describe the Dynamic Simulation environment and the processes you use to create simulations
to evaluate motions in an assembly.
■ Describe the Stress Analysis environment and the processes you use to create and analyze designs.
Chapter Summary ■ 27
28 ■ Chapter 1: Introduction to Engineering Analysis
Chapter
2
Dynamic Simulation Chapter2:
In this chapter, you learn how to define relationships between components by describing how
parts move in relationship to one another, and how to identify and avoid redundancy in a
simulation design. You learn how to identify the starting conditions of joints, as well as motion or
force values which define the environment under which the mechanism runs. You also learn how
to run a simulation and use the Output Grapher to review and analyze the simulation results.
Objectives
After completing this chapter, you will be able to:
■
Create joints that define the relationships between components in a mechanism while
avoiding redundancy.
■ Create environmental constraints for a simulation.
■
Run a simulation, then use the Output Grapher to review and analyze the results.
29
Lesson: Creating Joints
Overview
This lesson describes joints, their use in describing how a mechanism works, and their importance in
the dynamic simulation process. This lesson also describes redundancy in Dynamic Simulation
mechanisms, and how to create nonredundant models. You learn how to define redundancy, how
redundancies occur, and how redundancies can be repaired.
To simulate dynamic motion in an assembly, you need to design mechanical joints between
components in an assembly. Joints define the relationships between components in a mechanism by
describing how parts move in relationship to one another, as well as determining the types of active
and reactive forces that act on the mechanism to control its movements.
In mechanism theory, redundancy occurs when too many unknowns exist in a simulation, resulting in
the existence of infinite solutions when only one solution is needed.
In the following illustration, a Spring/Damper/Jack joint is being applied to a cam valve assembly.
Objectives
After completing this lesson, you will be able to:
■ Describe joints and their importance in Dynamic Simulation.
■
Identify joint types and where particular joints should be used.
■
Describe the guidelines for creating joints.
■ Create different types of joints based on mechanism or simulation requirements.
■
Explain redundancy and how redundancies occur in dynamic simulations.
■
Repair redundancies in joints.
Definition of Joints
A joint is a relationship between assembly components that determines how they move or react to
one another within a mechanism. You can create joints automatically in the Dynamic Simulation
environment by converting existing and new assembly constraints, or manually by using the
Insert Joint tool.
Joint Types
The first step in building a mechanism in Dynamic Simulation is to create joints. The different
categories of joints include standard, rolling, sliding, contact, and force. Standard joints can be
automatically created from assembly constraints to create degrees of freedom, or manually if no
assembly constraints are present. Rolling, sliding, and contact joints are special joints that are created
in addition to standard joints to restrict and create specific motion. Force joints like spring, damper,
and jack create an action/reaction force between two components in an assembly.
The following illustration displays the Joints Table, where you select the joint to insert. The upper part
of the dialog box displays buttons representing the categories of joints: standard joints, rolling joints,
sliding joints, 2D contact joints, and force joints. When you click a category button in the upper
window, the lower window updates to display buttons representing the available joints that fit the
chosen category. Select the button for the joint you want to use and click OK to create the joint.
Button Description
Revolution Joint
Use this joint to create a relationship between the cylindrical faces and cylindrical axes
of two components. This joint authorizes rotation around the Z axis of the joint
coordinate system. The angular value of the rotational degree of freedom is measured
between the first coordinate system X axis and the second coordinate system X axis.
Prismatic Joint
Use the prismatic joint to constrain the edge of one component to the edge of a
second component. This joint authorizes translation along the Z axis of the joint
coordinate system. The value of the translational degree of freedom is measured
between the first coordinate system origin and the second coordinate system origin.
Cylindrical Joint
Use this joint to constrain the axes of two cylindrical components to allow the
component that is chosen second to move back and forth along the axis of the first
component. This joint authorizes translation along the Z axis of the joint coordinate
system and rotation around the Z axis of the joint coordinate system. The value of the
translational degree of freedom is measured between the first coordinate system
origin and the second coordinate system origin. The angular value of the rotational
degree of freedom is measured between the first coordinate system X axis and the
second coordinate system X axis.
Planar Joint
Use the planar joint to constrain a planar face on one component to a planar face on a
second component. The first selected component is the reference component and
remains stationary. The second component can move freely on the selected face of
the reference component.
Use the planar joint to constrain a planar face on one component to a planar face on a
second component. This joint authorizes two translations along the X and Z axis and
one rotation around the Y axis of the joint coordinate system. The value of the
translational degree of freedom is measured between the first coordinate system
origin and the second coordinate system origin. The angular value of the rotational
degree of freedom is measured between the first coordinate system X axis and the
second coordinate system X axis.
Spatial Joint
This joint creates a space relationship between two moving components. This joint
authorizes three translations along the X, Y and Z axes and three rotations between
the two joint coordinate systems. The value of the translational degrees of freedom is
measured between the first coordinate system origin and the second coordinate
system origin.
Welding Joint
Use the welding joint when multiple components need to function as one. This joint
displays as a welded group in the Dynamic Simulation browser. Unlike the weld
feature, Dynamic Simulation provides reaction forces and torques for this joint as
output results.
Button Description
Rl Cylinder on Plane Joint
This joint constrains a rotating cylinder face without sliding to a flat face on a second
component. The relative motion between the two components must be 2D. Use for
gear and a rack or for a cylinder that rolls on a plane. This joint must be created using
the primitive cylinder and plane of the rack. If you use Design Accelerator, the
primitive surfaces are automatically created, you simply must make them visible and
use them to create the joint. If not, you can use, for instance, sketches on each
component that contains the primitive circle for the gear and the primitive line for
the rack.
Belt Joint
This joint is used to constrain a belt to two rotating cylindrical components.
Screw Joint
Use this joint to construct a relationship between a component that screws into a
second component. You create a cylindrical joint between the two components and
the thread pitch to indicate the amount of travel per rotation.
Button Description
Sl Cylinder on Plane Joint
Use this joint to constrain a cylindrical face to a plane so that it slides without rotating.
The relative motion between the two components must be 2D.
Button Description
2D Contact Joint
This joint creates a contact between a curve on one component and curve on another.
The relative motion between the two components must be 2D. The curves can be
defined by selecting a face, an edge, or a sketch. Unlike rolling and sliding joints, the
contact could be nonpermanent during the simulation.
Button Description
Spring/Damper/Jack Joint
Use this joint when you need to create a spring force, a damping force like a shock
absorber, or a jack force that lifts or lowers.
3D Contact Joint
This joint, based on spring-damper forces between the parts, detects the interference
on the entire faceted surface of the parts. This joint works only with part occurrences.
A subassembly is not completely taken into account if a single part is selected.
Creating Joints
When you create joints, you must determine whether the components are already aligned or not. If
you are creating the joints between parts that are not initially aligned, it may be necessary to adjust
the orientation of the axes and origin for the coordinate systems of the selected geometry on your
components. If components are already in place, then it is easier to make use of the automatic
conversion/update of assembly constraints to joints.
Access
Insert Joint
Access
No manufacturing clearance exists between the pin and hole. This means it is sometimes
difficult to assemble components and therefore clearance is necessary.
Manufacturing clearance between the pin and hole. This clearance allows some angular
movement between the pin and hole in addition to rotation.
In the following illustration, a revolution joint is being changed to a point-line joint, adding degrees
of freedom to eliminate redundancies in the joint.
Revolution joint
Revolution joint
Revolution joint
Revolution joint
This warning indicates that manufacturing tolerances or clearances have not been taken into account
in the assembly, and thus do not reflect a real-life situation. Joint four (4) needs to be resolved in order
to remove redundancy from the assembly. In other words, this means that more degrees of freedom
are required for Joint four (4). One possible solution is to use Repair Redundancies on the joint. This
achieves the results shown in the illustration on the left. However, this model is not unique because it
was dependent on the workflow of the designer in creating joints (1) through to (4). Another possible
nonredundant model is shown in the illustration on the right.
While the results may be slightly different, both these solutions are correct and provide correct
simulation results regarding the dynamics of the model, including inertial loads. However, you should
be aware that if you are interested in analyzing the reactions at the joints (or need to transfer loads for
stress analysis), the results are not unique.
For example, the point-line joint has no reaction in the Z direction, whereas the revolution joint has
reaction in the Z direction. Different joints create different reaction forces/torques that you should be
aware of.
If you want to study the reaction forces and torques, then place the extra degree joints on the weakest
joints or in the joints where you intend to put clearances in the real mechanism.
1. Open GenevaDrive.iam.
Overview
This lesson describes environmental constraints and how you apply them in Dynamic Simulation. To
run a simulation, you must define the virtual environment that simulates the reality in which the
mechanism behaves or functions. The initial joints that have been automatically transferred from
existing Inventor assembly constraints, or manually created within Dynamic Simulation, define the
degrees of freedom. You create environmental constraints to define the initial starting conditions of a
joint, simulate realistic friction for joints, and manipulate imposed motion of the joints. Examples of
external environmental constraints that can be applied to the design or assembly include forces,
torques, friction, and gravity. These environmental constraints define what joints and assemblies do
during the simulation.
Environmental constraints provide Dynamic Simulation with the information necessary to calculate
the simulation.
In the following illustration, a resistant force has been applied to the windshield wiper blades. During
the simulation the force is displayed as arrows pointing in the direction of the resistance, as shown.
Objectives
After completing this lesson, you will be able to:
■
Define initial positions of joints.
■
Define joint torques.
■ Define imposed motions and apply them to joints.
■
Define external forces and apply them to joints.
1. In the Dynamic Simulation environment, apply the joints to define the mechanism.
2. Edit the properties of the joint to which you want to impose the motion.
3. Click the DOF tab that corresponds to the degree of freedom that you want to define for the
initial position.
4. On the DOF tab, use the edit box to enter a constant value.
5. Click OK to apply the initial position.
1. In the Dynamic Simulation environment, apply the joints to define the mechanism.
2. Edit the properties of the joint to which you want to impose the motion.
3. Click the DOF tab that corresponds to the degree of freedom you are adding the motion to.
4. On the DOF tab, enable the joint torque and use the edit box to enter a constant value, or use
the Input Grapher to define different values along the simulation timeline.
5. Click OK to apply the imposed motion.
1. In the Dynamic Simulation environment, apply the joints to define the mechanism.
2. Edit the properties of the joint to which you want to impose the motion.
3. Click the DOF tab that corresponds to the degree of freedom you are adding the motion to.
4. On the DOF tab, enable the imposed motion and use the edit box to enter a constant value, or
use the Input Grapher to define different values along the simulation timeline.
5. Click OK to apply the imposed motion.
1. In the Dynamic Simulation environment, use the Force or Torque tool to place an external
force.
2. Define the location for the external force.
3. Define the direction of the external force.
4. Designate whether the direction of the external force is fixed or associative.
5. Designate whether the force will display during the simulation, and the size and color of the
symbol.
6. Apply the external force to the joint.
1. In the Dynamic Simulation browser, right-click the joint you want to add the friction to and
click Properties in the shortcut menu.
2. In the Properties dialog box, click the DOF you want to add the coefficient of friction to.
3. Depending on whether the DOF is rotational or translational, click Edit Joint Torque for
rotational and Edit Joint Force for translational.
1. In the Dynamic Simulation browser, right-click Gravity and select Define Gravity on the
shortcut menu.
2. Activate gravity.
3. Select whether the gravity will be defined relative to an entity or to global coordinates.
4. If defined by an entity, select a component face and the direction relative to the face. Enter the
value for gravity and click OK.
5. If defined by an entity, select a component face and the direction relative to the force. Enter
the value and click OK.
6. If defined by coordinates, enter the gravity values for the X, Y, and Z axes. Click OK.
1. Access the Input Grapher by editing the properties of the selected joint.
2. Select the DOF tab for the joint degree of freedom you want to edit.
3. Select the joint force or Imposed Motion button depending on the value you want to edit.
4. Confirm that the imposed force or motion is active, then select Position.
5. From the Force edit box, access the Input Grapher.
6. In the Input Grapher, select the reference for the values you will define.
7. Add time sectors as required to define changes in the values.
8. Define the start and end values for each time sector and the law to apply to each sector.
9. Click OK to apply the changes and exit the grapher.
1. Open WiperAssemblyDEC.iam.
NOTE: For this exercise you can continue to
work on the earlier exercise
WiperAssemblyNRM.iam if it is complete and
still opened.
2. Click Applications menu > Dynamic
Simulation.
26. In the Magnitude dialog box, notice that the Because both wiper blades rub against the
graph updates to reflect the cubic ramp. windshield, you need to repeat steps 10
Click OK. through 27 for the right wiper.
29. Close the file. Do not save changes.
Overview
This lesson describes the process of running a simulation and analyzing or interpreting the results.
After all joints, external forces, and imposed motions are defined, you use the Simulation Panel to run
the simulation. While running the simulation, you can use the Output Grapher to view a graphical
representation of the results.
The ultimate goal of a simulation is to provide the feedback that you need to adjust and refine your
design to meet specific design requirements. To ensure that your simulation is accurate and provides
you with the appropriate technical feedback, you need to know how to use the Simulation Panel to
set up and run the simulation, and how to use the Output Grapher to interpret the results.
In the following illustration, the Output Grapher is used to analyze the results of a simulation.
Running Simulations
After all joints, external forces, and imposed motions are defined, you run the simulation to view the
results. You use the Simulation Panel to run the simulation, stop it at any point, or play it in a
continuous loop. While running the simulation, you can open the Output Grapher to view a graphical
representation of a selected variable in a graphical or numeric format. Results can be exported to FEA
for stress analysis of individual components.
In the following illustration, a simulation is running with the Output Grapher open showing the
synchronization with the current time step in the Simulation Panel, and the assembly in the
graphics window.
Simulation Panel
You use the Simulation Panel to set up and run the dynamic simulation of the assembly. The panel has
several buttons that enable you to control the simulation time and accuracy. In addition it provides
visual feedback on the progress of the simulation of the assembly. It is the most important part of the
simulation process because it controls the accuracy of the simulation.
Simulation construction After playing the simulation, click to enter construction mode to
mode continue editing the simulation.
Player controls Click the various buttons to control playback of the simulation.
Final time Enter the final simulation time.
Images Enter the number of images to create for the simulation. More
images result in a more accurate simulation, but also take longer
to solve the simulation.
Filter Normally set to 1. If the value is changed to 10, then the
simulation ignores images between 1 to 10.
Simulation time Read-only value depicting the time step in the simulation.
Percentage of realized Read-only value that displays the percentage of simulation
simulation completed.
Real time Read-only field that displays the actual time that has elapsed
during the simulation.
Rewind to the beginning Returns the simulation back to its starting condition. This
of simulation button is available only after the simulation has started or
when the slider is moved from 0%.
Stop current simulation Stops the simulation.
Run or replay simulation Runs the simulation forward from the current step. If the
simulation is at the end point, or the slider set to 100%, this
button has no effect.
Deactivate screen refresh Prevents the screen refresh at each time step. This speeds up
at each time step the simulation and depending on your computer may or may
not be noticeable.
Forward to end of Advances to the end of simulation. This button is available
simulation only when the simulation has not started or when the slider is
set to less than 100%.
Play current simulation Plays the simulation all the way through, returns to the
in continuous loop beginning and starts over again. The simulation continues to
repeat until you stop it.
1. In the Dynamic Simulation environment, define the joints, external torques and forces, and
imposed motions to define the mechanism.
2. Use the Simulation Panel to run the simulation.
3. If required, open the Output Grapher to see a graphical representation of the selected
variables in the mechanism.
1. In Dynamic Simulation, create your joints and set your environmental constraints.
2. Run the simulation and open the Output Grapher during the simulation or after the simulation
has finished.
3. In the selection tree, select the variables that you want displayed in the grapher.
4. Double-click in the graph to set the current time. Step back and forth in the grapher using the
right and left arrow keys on your keyboard.
5. To find the maximum value on a curve, right click anywhere on the chosen tabular column and
select Search Max.
6. To find the minimum value on a curve, right click anywhere on the chosen tabular column and
select Search Min.
7. To save the graph curve, with the Grapher open save the assembly file. The results of the
simulation are saved in a file with the same name as the assembly file and an extension of .iaa.
1. In the Dynamic Simulation environment, define your mechanism using Automatic Update of
Constraint joints, or converted assembly constraints and/or inserted joints. Define the start
position and the imposed motion, imposed forces and torques, and external forces.
2. In the Simulation Panel, enter the settings for the simulation and then run the simulation.
3. Open the Output Grapher.
4. In the Output Grapher, selection tree, expand the joint that you are analyzing.
5. Expand the folder for the type of results you want to review.
6. Click the node that you want the grapher to display.
7. Find the time step, and minimum or maximum value in the graph, or export the file to
Microsoft® Excel for later use. Then save the results for import into another simulation, and
save the file with the Output Grapher open.
8. Import results from another simulation for comparison.
Next, you run the simulation to see the wiper Next, you select the variable to view in the
assembly in motion. Because the velocity is Output Grapher.
180 degrees per second, you set the
simulation to run for two seconds so that the 8. In the Output Grapher browser:
Motor_Crank_Asm makes one complete ■ Expand n°5 :Cylindrical
revolution. (Motor_Crank_Asm:1, Bearings:1).
■
5. In the Simulation Panel: Expand Driving Force.
■ Select Ukin[5.1].
■
For Final Time, enter 2 s. (1)
■ For Time mode, enter 200. (2)
■
Click Run or Replay Simulation. (3)
Dynamic Simulation enables you to simulate functional assemblies while generating sophisticated
engineering data. With this data, you can determine how your design will perform in real-world
situations, while reducing the need for expensive prototypes.
Having completed this chapter, you can:
■
Create joints that define the relationships between components in a mechanism while avoiding
redundancy.
■ Create environmental constraints for a simulation.
■
Run a simulation, then use the Output Grapher to review and analyze the results.
3
Stress Analysis Chapter3:
In this chapter, you learn how to analyze parts to determine stress, deformation, and natural
frequencies. You also learn how to use results from the Dynamic Simulation environment to
accurately place loads in the Stress Analysis environment.
Objectives
After completing this chapter, you will be able to:
■
Create loads and constraints to simulate the real-world conditions in which your designs are
expected to perform.
■
Set up and run stress analyses and review the results; animate those results and perform
convergency studies to achieve the greatest accuracy.
■ Perform a finite element analysis on a component in the Stress Analysis environment using
loads calculated in the Dynamic Simulation environment.
111
Lesson: Creating Loads and Constraints
Overview
This lesson describes loads and constraints and how to create them to simulate the real-world
conditions in which your designs will be expected to perform.
To accurately simulate the stresses that occur on a part, stress analysis applications must be able to
simulate real-world conditions. Two conditions that must be simulated are loads, which are external
forces that act upon the part, and constraints, which are virtual conditions that act against forces by
constraining degrees of freedom for the part.
In the following illustration, a simple rocker arm design illustrates how loads and constraints work in
a simple mechanism. Forces (1) are applied to the component through the pushrod mechanism, while
constraints (2) restrict the available degrees of freedom. The combination of these conditions
simulates real-world effects that are exerted on the mechanism.
Objectives
After completing this lesson, you will be able to:
■
Describe loads and how they are used in the Stress Analysis environment.
■
Identify the types of loads that can be applied to parts and explain how to create them.
■ Describe constraints and how they are used in the Stress Analysis environment.
■
Identify the types of constraints that can be applied to parts and explain how to create them.
Definition of Loads
A load can be defined as an external force that is exerted on a component directly or indirectly. Loads
can occur in various locations on the part, and their magnitude and types are also variable. The Stress
Analysis environment in Autodesk® Inventor™ supports the following types of loads:
■ Force
■
Pressure
■
Bearing
■ Moment
■
Body
■
Motion
Applying Loads
To apply a load, click a load tool on the Stress Analysis panel bar and specify the geometry, magnitude,
and if applicable, the direction.
Load Direction
Some types of loads require you to specify a load direction. The following illustrations give examples
of how the load directions can be specified.
Load normal to face Load aligned to work axis Load aligned to other part edge
The load is parallel to the selected edge or normal to the selected face.
If you need to orient the load in a direction that cannot be specified using existing model
geometry, you can specify the load’s components in the X,Y, and Z directions. Alternatively,
you can create a work plane or work axis and then use the work feature to orient the load, as
shown in this illustration.
To orient a load, you can select a part edge or face on the part itself or from another part in the
assembly.
When you select geometry to apply the force, all selections must be of the same type. For example,
you can select four different faces but not two edges and two faces. The total force is evenly divided
among the selected geometry.
Apply forces to faces rather than to edges or vertices to avoid stress singularities.
Pressure Loads
You can apply a pressure to a face. The pressure’s direction is always normal to the selected faces and
is directed toward the faces by default. Enter a negative magnitude to reverse the direction so that the
pressure is directed away from the faces.
The component of the bearing load that is radial (perpendicular to the circular face), is distributed over
the projected area of the face, as shown in the following illustration.
Moment Loads
Moment loads take into account bending and twisting of components. You can apply a moment load
to faces. You specify the direction by using X, Y, Z components or by selecting a planar face.
Motion Loads
Motion loads are created from joints from within the Dynamic Simulation environment and not from
the Stress Analysis environment. The motion loads are automatically converted from reaction forces
on the joints and applied as bearing loads, torque, and moments on the faces of the joints. If a part to
be analyzed has three connecting parts (or three joints), then you need to specify the three faces on
the part as shown in the following illustration.
The dialog box is displayed when you select the part to be exported to FEA. The only loads that cannot
be created from motion loads are pressure. When you are in the Stress Analysis environment, a Motion
Loads button is displayed in the Loads area. When you click Motion Loads, all the bearing loads and
moments are automatically applied to the specified faces.
If you specify the components of a load while editing a part in place, remember that the top-
level assembly’s coordinate system is displayed, and not the part’s. The force components
that you enter must be in the part coordinate system. These can be difficult to determine
while you are in the assembly.
To specify the components or magnitude of a force, you can enter an equation in which you make
calculations or reference other parameters.
Definition of Constraints
Constraints are used to define how components would be fixed in a real-world assembly. These
constraints can be controlled by varying the fixing directions in the X,Y,and Z axes or radial, axial, and
tangential directions for cylindrical components. The Stress Analysis environment in Autodesk
Inventor supports the following types of constraints:
■ Fixed
■
Pin
■
Frictionless
Example of Constraints
In the following illustration, a frictionless constraint is applied to the rocker. (1) This enables the rocker
to move in the indicated direction. (2)
Fixed Constraints
A fixed constraint restricts the translation of the constrained geometry in one, two, or three directions.
Use a fixed constraint to model rigid connection points to other components.
Fix all three directions when you know that the part is fully fixed to a rigid support, such as where an
edge or face of the part is welded or bonded to another part. Use components of the fixed constraint
to fix or release motion in specific directions. If the face of a part contacts another part and the faces
are not fully attached, either apply a fixed constraint and release the in-plane motion directions, or use
a frictionless constraint.
You can also use the components of the fixed constraint to specify a displacement for the constrained
geometry.
Frictionless Constraints
A frictionless constraint enables a surface to freely slide along a plane or surface but prevents the
surface from moving normal to itself. You use frictionless constraints to model face-to-face and
surface-to-surface contact between parts where one part can slide on the other. Most surfaces in
contact are not entirely frictionless. Furthermore, frictionless constraints give conservative results
because the friction’s contribution to the overall model stiffness is not included.
Frictionless constraints are also used to model symmetry boundary conditions. When a model’s
loading and geometry are symmetric, you can analyze a portion of the model to save analysis time.
You use frictionless constraints on all of the symmetry surfaces in the model. For example, consider a
rotor for a swing-bucket centrifuge rotating at 4500 rpm, and a pin constraint applied in the hole in
the middle. Because the load, constraints, and model are symmetric, you can analyze a section instead
When you use frictionless or pin constraints, potential may exist for rigid body motion, even though
rigid body motion is not possible based on the combination of constraints. Weak springs are
automatically added to the model to prevent rigid body motion. If the boundary conditions prevent
rigid body motion, the springs do not affect the result. When the analysis is complete, you should
check that the deformed model and the reaction forces are reasonable.
Selecting the wrong type of constraint or overconstraining the model are frequent mistakes
in finite element analysis. The constraints that you choose and where you apply them
significantly affect the results. Make sure that you understand how the part interacts with
other parts in the assembly. If you are uncertain about which constraint to apply, run a
sensitivity analysis to determine how sensitive the result is to the type of constraint.
1. Open Stress_CentrifugeRotor.ipt.
Overview
This lesson describes how to run a stress analysis and analyze the results for quality and performance.
After you have applied loads and constraints, it is time to run a stress analysis and analyze the results.
To effectively use the resulting data, you typically run multiple analyses as you refine the design.
Understanding how to access and analyze the results enables you to effectively change the design to
ensure desired performance.
The following illustration shows an equivalent stress plot of a rocker arm indicating areas of high
stress. Other result plots include deformation and factor of safety.
Objectives
After completing this lesson, you will be able to:
■
Set up and run a stress analysis.
■ Revise models and stress analysis loads and constraints, and rerun an analysis to determine
the results.
■
Review and interpret the stress analysis results.
■ Animate and report analysis results.
■
Perform a convergence study.
■
Describe and identify the types of files that are created when you perform a stress analysis.
Access
Access
Toolbar: Standard
Analysis Type
You use the Analysis Type list to select a stress analysis, a modal analysis, or both. If the model
on which you run a modal analysis has loads, the natural frequencies are calculated for the
stressed model.
Mesh Control
The Mesh Control settings determine the mesh size. On the Mesh Relevance slider, you can set the
average overall mesh size. The default setting of zero is a good starting point for most analyses. You
use a higher number for a smaller mesh size, providing a more accurate answer but increasing analysis
time. You use lower settings to perform a quick analysis to ensure that the model, loads, and
constraints are correctly applied before you run an analysis with a smaller mesh.
If Result Convergence is selected, the mesh is automatically refined. This significantly increases
analysis time but generally provides a more accurate result.
1. With the Stress Analysis application activate, click the Stress Analysis Settings button on the
panel bar.
2. Select the type of analysis and adjust the mesh relevance slider based on the current analysis
and your requirements.
3. Run the analysis by clicking the Stress Analysis Update button on the Standard toolbar.
Results
You edit the part geometry by changing the model parameters or by switching to the part
environment. In the part environment, you can display the last stress result item on the part to guide
your model changes.
When you change the part or other values that affect the stress results, the icons in the Results folder
of the Stress Analysis browser change to indicate that the results are out of date. Click the Stress
Analysis Update tool to rerun the analysis.
Viewing Results
When the analysis is complete, the result is displayed graphically on a deformed model. To view a
different result, double-click the result in the Results folder in the Stress Analysis browser.
Several terms and values are displayed as results of a stress analysis. The equivalent stress is a
combination of all of the stresses. It is also known as Von Mises stress. For ductile materials, you
compare the equivalent stress to the yield strength of the material to estimate whether the material
will yield.
The safety factor is equal to the yield strength of the material divided by the equivalent stress. If the
safety factor is greater than 1, the yield strength is greater than the equivalent stress, and the part
should not yield.
The results are typically displayed on a deflected shape. Actual deformations are normally small, so the
default display setting greatly exaggerates the deformation. If you are concerned about actual
deformation (for example, to assess whether the part would make contact with another part), you
should be sure to view both the actual deformed shape and the deformation contours.
You change the deformation scale with the Deformation Style list on the Standard toolbar.
Reaction Forces
The constraints resist external loading by generating reaction forces. To view the reaction forces at a
constraint, right-click the constraint and click Reaction Forces.
Each result item maintains its own color bar, so the changes that you make, for example to the
equivalent stress color bar, do not affect the deformation or safety factor color bars.
Parameters
The result of a stress or modal analysis is saved as both stress analysis parameters and reference
parameters. You can view the result in the Parameters dialog box or read the parameters using VBA or
another automation tool.
A point or edge load is unusual in real models, but these loads are convenient for stress analysis and
work well if the result is interpreted correctly. If the area of interest in the model is located away from
the load, you can ignore the unrealistically high stresses reported at the load. If the singularity is at the
area of interest, you need to model that area in more detail. If you perform a convergence study, the
stress at the singularity never converges, because the theoretical stress is infinite. Monitor the stress
at the area of interest and not at the stress singularity.
Another common cause of stress singularities is models with sharp internal corners. Because sharp
internal corners have infinite stress, the stress never converges on an answer. Most models have a fillet
in the corner, especially if the corner is in an area where high stresses are expected. If the sharp corner
is in an area of concern, add a fillet to better approximate the real component. If the corner is not in an
area of concern, either add a fillet or ignore the unrealistic high stress reported at the singularity. You
can adjust the color bar so that you ignore the unrealistic stresses at a singularity.
Although you can ignore stress singularities when you perform a manual mesh convergence,
you cannot perform an automatic convergence if the model contains singularities.
Animate Results
You use the Animate Results tool to see how the part reacts under load by animating the deformed
model. The animation uses the current deformation scale. You can view the animation on screen, or
save it to an AVI file to include in reports or share with team members.
Access
Animate Results
Generating Reports
When an analysis is complete, you use the Report tool to generate an HTML report of the result. The
report includes:
■
Loads.
■ Constraints.
■
Material properties.
■
Tabular results, such as maximum and minimum stress, deformation, safety factor, and modal
frequencies.
■
Graphical results, such as equivalent stress, deformation, safety factor, and mode shapes.
Access
Report
The report is in HTML format and includes several linked files. To distribute or move the report, include
the report file itself and all of the linked files. You can find the location of the report in your web
browser’s address bar.
You can edit a report by opening it in an HTML editor or word processor. Use Microsoft® Word to
embed the images in the document and save the report as a single document to share with others, or
to incorporate into other documents.
The same name and location are used for all reports. If you want to keep a report, copy the
report and its associated files to another folder so that they are not overwritten when you
generate the next report.
You typically perform two or more runs to determine the best mesh size. You can manually perform a
convergence study by running the analysis at several different mesh relevance settings, such as 0, 50,
and 100.
To run automatic convergence, select Result Convergence and run the analysis. The model is meshed
using the global mesh size that you set on the Mesh Relevance slider. When the analysis is complete,
the software calculates the change in stress (error norm) for each element. If the change in stress is
large, the element is divided into four elements for the next run.
After the next analysis, if the results have changed less than 10%, the model is considered to have
converged. If not, the elements with high error norm are again divided and the analysis is rerun. There
is a maximum of three analyses. If the model fails to converge, a warning message is displayed. When
this occurs, check for and correct singularities in the model.
Automatic convergence can produce much finer mesh than you can achieve using the manual Mesh
Relevance slider, but it can take much longer to converge on an answer.
In the left graph, it is clear that the results are converging on a value and that a further decrease in
mesh size will not make a significant difference to the answer. If the results have not converged, as in
the right graph, there is a problem in the model and you need to examine the results closely before
you use them. Nonconverging results are normally due to stress singularities caused by modeling
simplifications or errors. If the stress singularity is not in the area of interest, you can ignore the high
stress and use the results at the area of interest.
1. Start with a coarse mesh (few large elements) and run the analysis.
2. View the deformation to determine whether constraints and loads are correctly applied.
3. Record the result (stress, deformation, or modal frequency) in the area of interest.
4. Re-mesh with a smaller mesh in the area of high stress gradient.
Avoid the tendency to select a fine mesh and run only one analysis. It is impossible to
determine whether the results converge unless you run several analyses.
If you run out of disk space during results convergence, change the %TEMP% or %TMP%
system variable to point to a drive with more free space. To access these variables, right-click
My Computer, click Properties, click the Advanced tab, and click Environment Variables.
The primary result file *.ipa is created in the same folder as the part file to which it is linked.
Additional result files are stored in a subfolder that uses the same name as the part file to which
they are linked.
File Management
The analysis result files contain the analysis settings, loads, and results. The IPT file also contains a copy
of the analysis settings and loads, but it does not contain the results. The IPT and result files each
contain references to each other.
You manage these files in a similar manner to managing other Autodesk Inventor files. If you move or
rename one of the files and not the others, you see a prompt to resolve the file link errors when you
open the part or when you switch to the Stress Analysis environment. To resolve the link, you can
locate the files or, if you know that the files are missing or deleted, skip the file to continue. If you skip
the file, the loads and settings are still available, because copies are stored in the IPT file.
To update the results, update the analysis. When you save the part file, new result files are generated.
If you use Autodesk® Vault storage, the result files are treated as children of the part file. Autodesk
Vault retrieves and checks in the result files at the same time as the part file when requested to do so.
Overview
This lesson describes how to transfer reaction loads of joints from the Dynamic Simulation
environment into the Stress Analysis environment. It also illustrates how to apply motion loads in the
Stress Analysis environment.
Performing FEA on a component using loads calculated in the Dynamic Simulation environment
provides a realistic view of how the component will perform in real-life conditions.
In the following illustration, Stress Analysis was used to test an arm, and the display was set to
Safety Factor.
Objectives
After completing this lesson, you will be able to:
■
Describe how Dynamic Simulation and Stress Analysis can work together to validate part designs.
■
Export Dynamic Simulation results to FEA.
Example
In the course of designing a window glass lift mechanism, the design of one of the arms has come into
question. To test the ability of the arm to withstand the stresses of lifting and lowering the window
glass, you use Dynamic Simulation to place the joints, add the required velocity to the mechanism, and
then calculate the motion loads. After the simulation has run, you use the Output Grapher to export
the loads to FEA. In Stress Analysis, you apply the motion loads to the component and perform a stress
analysis update to view the results. Upon changing the display to Safety Factor, you see that in several
areas the safety factor is less than the customer-mandated safety factor of four. With this information,
you can modify the component design and quickly repeat the process to see the effect of your
modifications.
In the following illustration, the stress analysis has been completed and the part displayed with
contour colors that correspond to the color bar on the left.
1. In the Dynamic Simulation environment, create joints for the mechanism using the Automatic
Update of Constraints or Convert Assembly Constraints and Insert Joint tools.
2. Run the simulation to calculate the motion loads.
3. Use the Output Grapher to determine the time step you will use by clicking in the Export
FEA column.
4. Click Export to FEA in the panel bar. Designate the joint faces whose motion loads will be
exported to FEA.
5. Perform an in-place edit of the part.
6. Enter the Stress Analysis environment.
7. Apply the motion loads.
8. Perform a stress analysis update to calculate the stresses.
9. If testing reveals an area of concern, return to the part modeling environment (or suppress
features within the Stress Analysis environment if applicable).
Guidelines
The following list describes some basic guidelines for sharing Dynamic Simulation results with Stress
Analysis.
■ Because selection can be difficult when the entire assembly is visible, isolate the part in the
assembly environment. Return to the Dynamic Simulation environment and designate the part
faces for FEA testing before you run the simulation.
■ Because it can be difficult to find the time step where you have the maximum peak stresses during
the motion, it is recommended that you export several time steps and compare the results.
Stress Analysis enables you to visualize how your design will perform and helps to identify areas in the
design that may need improvement. Like any simulation application, the result accuracy for Stress
Analysis is completely dependent on the accuracy of the information that is given for loads and
constraints. By using information gathered from the results of your dynamic simulation, the accuracy
of your stress analysis is enhanced and the process is streamlined.
Having completed this chapter, you can:
■ Create loads and constraints to simulate the real-world conditions in which your designs are
expected to perform.
■
Set up and run stress analyses and review the results; animate those results and perform
convergency studies to achieve the greatest accuracy.
■
Perform a finite element analysis on a component in the Stress Analysis environment using loads
calculated in the Dynamic Simulation environment.
4
Engineering Problems
and Solutions Chapter4:
This chapter offers you a chance to practice using the tools and techniques you have learned in
previous chapters to solve real-world engineering and design problems.
167
Lesson: Solving Design Problems
Overview
Designers are required to solve many different engineering problems throughout a typical design.
At any point during the design process, a designer may ask one or more of the following questions:
■
Do the parts fit together properly?
■
Do the parts move well together?
■ Is there an unknown interference between parts?
■
Do the parts follow the intended path?
Even though most of these questions can be answered using the standard design tools offered in
the Autodesk® Inventor™ software, there may be other questions which cannot. For example, most
designers also want to know:
■
What is the machinery time cycle?
■ Is the actuator powerful enough?
■ Is the link robust enough?
■
Can you reduce weight without sacrificing integrity?
All these questions can be answered by building a digital prototype using Dynamic Simulation and
Stress Analysis. By combining the design tools available in the standard Autodesk Inventor software
with the Dynamic Simulation and Stress Analysis capabilities in the Autodesk® Inventor™ Professional
software, designers can quickly build and validate an optimum product that enables them to
complete the tasks identified in the following illustration.
Size bearings using reactions. Find peak stresses using motion loads.
Size actuators using reaction loads. Evaluate the global motion and time cycle.
Objectives
After completing this lesson, you will be able to:
■ Use Stress Analysis to apply boundary conditions and analyze an initial design. Based on the initial
stress analysis results, revise the design in the part environment for reanalysis.
■
Use Dynamic Simulation to define realistic contact mechanisms incorporating frictional and
restitutional properties.
■
Use Dynamic Simulation to export motion loads to Stress Analysis. In Stress Analysis, apply the
motion loads and perform a stress analysis to view initial results and modify geometry to satisfy
design criteria.
■
Use Dynamic Simulation to trace the motion of a component during the simulation and then use
this trace curve to create a part.
■ Use Dynamic Simulation to identify the length, stiffness, and tension requirements of a spring for
a bike suspension.
2. Click OK.
This chapter offered you a chance to practice using the tools and techniques you learned in previous
chapters to solve real-world engineering and design problems. Because each design problem was
unique, different workflows and approaches were required to solve these problems.
Having completed this chapter, you can:
■
Use Stress Analysis to apply boundary conditions and analyze an initial design. Based on the initial
stress analysis results, revise the design in the part environment for reanalysis.
■ Use Dynamic Simulation to define realistic contact mechanisms incorporating frictional and
restitutional properties.
■
Use Dynamic Simulation to export motion loads to Stress Analysis. In Stress Analysis, apply the
motion loads and perform a stress analysis to view initial results and modify geometry to satisfy
design criteria.
■
Use Dynamic Simulation to trace the motion of a component during the simulation, and then use
this trace curve to create a part.
■
Use Dynamic Simulation to identify the length, stiffness, and tension requirements of a spring for
a bike suspension.
A
Additional Support and Resources ApendixA:
A variety of resources are available to help you get the most from Autodesk® software:
■
Courseware from Autodesk (AOTC, AOCC, AATC)
■ Autodesk Services and Support
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Autodesk Subscription
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Autodesk Consulting
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Autodesk Partners
■ Autodesk Authorized Training Centers (ATC®)
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Autodesk Certification
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Courseware from Autodesk
Autodesk publishes dozens of courseware titles every year designed to help users at all levels of
expertise improve their productivity with Autodesk software.
Courseware from Autodesk is the preferred classroom training material for Autodesk Authorized
Training Centers (ATC) and Resellers. The same training materials are also well-suited for self-paced,
standalone learning.
Autodesk offers three brands of Courseware:
Autodesk Official Training Courseware (AOTC) is developed by Autodesk for hands-on learning
covering the most important software features and functionality.
Autodesk Official Certification Courseware (AOCC) covers the knowledge and skills assessed on
the Certified User and Certified Expert examinations.
Autodesk Authorized Training Courseware (AATC) is created in cooperation with leading Autodesk
partners, and includes a growing number of local-language titles.
Finding Courseware
Courseware can be found in training classes offered by Autodesk Authorized Training Centers,
Autodesk Resellers, or may be purchased directly from the Autodesk eStore (North America only).
To find up-to-date information on the latest official Autodesk courseware titles, visit
www.autodesk.com/aotc and browse the Courseware Catalog for titles and topics.
Feedback Encouraged
If you have comments, suggestions for future titles, or general inquiries about Autodesk courseware,
please email AOTC.feedback@autodesk.com. We value your feedback!
Knowledge Base
Search the support database for answers, hot fixes, tips, and service packs. Access the knowledge base
from the main Autodesk Services & Support page at www.autodesk.com/servicesandsupport.
Contact a Reseller
Get in touch with a reseller near you for information on product support programs that fit your needs.
Find a reseller near you with our reseller locator at www.autodesk.com/reseller.
Discussion Groups
Ask questions and share information in peer-to-peer forums. For more information visit the Discussion
Groups area at www.autodesk.com/discussion.
Autodesk Subscription
Ensure competitive advantage by keeping your design tools—and your design skills—up to date
easily and cost-effectively with Autodesk® Subscription.
Simplify your technology upgrades and boost your design productivity with the complete software,
support, and training package from Autodesk Subscription.
With Autodesk Subscription you get the latest releases of your Autodesk software, incremental
product enhancements, personalized web support direct from Autodesk technical experts, and
self-paced training (e-Learning) to help extend your skills. And with access to a range of exclusive
community resources and members-only privileges, you can use the power of your design tools to the
fullest and make the most of your technology investment. For more information visit
www.autodesk.com/subscription.
Autodesk Consulting
Make the most of your software investment with Autodesk Consulting. Get access to Autodesk
technical and project management professionals, a global network of technical experts. For more
details visit www.autodesk.com/consulting.
Autodesk Sparks
Sparks developers leverage Autodesk Media and Entertainment’s strong technical and market
expertise to deliver integrated, creative and workflow solutions to the post-production community.
For more information visit www.autodesk.com/sparks.
Reseller Center
Autodesk resellers understand your design processes and business requirements, and specialize in all
kinds of industries and applications. You can maximize your productivity with Autodesk software with
Reseller services, from implementation and customization to learning and training. To learn more and
find a reseller near you, visit www.autodesk.com/resellers.
Certification Benefits
■ Immediate feedback on your certification status
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An Electronic Certificate with a unique serial number
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The right to use an official Autodesk end User Certification logo
■ The option to display your certification status in the Autodesk Certified User database
Useful Links
Courseware: Consulting:
www.autodesk.com/aotc www.autodesk.com/consulting
Certification: Discussion Groups:
www.autodesk.com/certification discussion.autodesk.com
Find a Reseller: Blogs:
www.autodesk.com/reseller www.autodesk.com/blogs
Find an Authorized Training Center: Communities:
www.autodesk.com/atc www.autodesk.com/community
Services & Support: Student Community:
www.autodesk.com/servicesandsupport students.autodesk.com