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Title: Use of Computer based Technology in Engineering Design

Written by:

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Date: Monday, 10 April 2023

Table of Contents

Table of Contents........................................................................................................................................2

List of Figures...............................................................................................................................................2

1 Task 1 Learning Outcome 3.2..............................................................................................................2

1.1 Use Computer-Aided Design Software to Produce a Design Drawing or Scheme.......................3

2 Task 1 Learning Outcome 3.1..............................................................................................................7

2.1 Explain the key features of a computer-aided design system.......................................................7

3 Task 3 Learning Outcome 3.3..............................................................................................................9

3.1 Evaluate software that can assist the design process..................................................................10

4 References.........................................................................................................................................13

List of Figures

Figure 1: Schematic Representation of the Desired Bracket Model.............................................................3

Figure 2: An Autodesk Inventor 3D Model of the Beam Complete with the Pin.........................................4

Figure 3: Top View of the Beam.................................................................................................................4

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Figure 4: Stress Analysis Results when the Beam is fixed at the Bottom....................................................5

Figure 5: Stresses in the Beam When the Beam Is Fixed Using Two Screws with Holes Drilled at the

Places Indicated...........................................................................................................................................6

Figure 6: Different Templates in Autodesk Inventor (Metric and Imperial)................................................7

Figure 7: Bolts in the Content Centre Showing Different Standards...........................................................8

Figure 8: Rapid Prototyping using Autodesk Inventor..............................................................................11

1 Task 1 Learning Outcome 3.2

1.1 Use Computer-Aided Design Software to Produce a Design Drawing or Scheme

a) The model of a bracket shown in figure 1 below was created using Autodesk Inventor

and it is shown in figure 2 and 3 below.

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Figure 1: Schematic Representation of the Desired Bracket Model

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Figure 2: An Autodesk Inventor 3D Model of the Beam Complete with the Pin

Figure 3: Top View of the Beam

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b) Stress analysis results for the beam considering a fixed end is shown in figure 4 below:

Figure 4: Stress Analysis Results when the Beam is fixed at the Bottom

When the beam is fixed at the bottom, the maximum stresses are experienced at along the

vertical section of the beam. The maximum stress value observed was 6.02Mpa. This is less than

the yield strength of aluminium 2014 alloy which is 96.51Mpa. However, the results indicated

that the stresses at the point of load application (at the pin) were as high as 9.91Mpa.

When the beam is fixed using two screws with holes drilled at the places indicated, the

resulting stresses are shown in figure 5 below:

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Figure 5: Stresses in the Beam When the Beam Is Fixed Using Two Screws with

Holes Drilled at the Places Indicated

For this case, the maximum stresses in the vertical section of the beam are 5.5Mpa, while

the stresses at the point of load application are 13.7Mpa. This stresses are very low compared to

the yield strength (96.51). Nevertheless, the stresses in the screws are extremely high, that is,

645.7Mpa. Therefore, the screws can easily fail hence the entire beam will break from the

support. It is important to note that the screws used in this case had a diameter of 1.25 inches.

The probability of failure of these screws will depend on their diameter as well as the material.

However, increasing the diameter of the screws will require bigger holes to be drilled in the

beam which will weaken the beam. If screws must be used to fix the beam, then at least 3 pairs

should be used; one pair near the top of the vertical section of the beam, another one at the

middle while the last pair should be used towards the bottom of the beam. However, fixing the

end of the beam is sufficient for this application.

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2 Task 1 Learning Outcome 3.1

2.1 Explain the key features of a computer-aided design system.

In this section, the key features of Autodesk Inventor are discussed.

Accessing standards

Autodesk Inventor is rigid when it comes to accessing standards, particular standards

involving units and dimensions. For instance, if the user intends to use imperial units (inches) in

the model, the user must select the imperial template when starting a new drawing a shown in

figure 6 below: It is important to note that the user cannot change the units while modelling.

Figure 6: Different Templates in Autodesk Inventor (Metric and Imperial)

However, the software is a bit flexible when accessing standards associated with standard

components such as bolts, bearings and gears. For this case, the user selects the component from

the content library depending on the desired standards as shown in figure 7 below:

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Figure 7: Bolts in the Content Centre Showing Different Standards

Parts and material storage and retrieval

Compared to other 3D modelling software packages, Autodesk Inventor is rigid when it

comes to storing and retrieving files. For instance, it lacks the provision for searching inventor

files by typing the exact name of the file. The user is always required to save files in the active

directory to reduce time wasted in searching the files. This is very important particularly when

making assembly drawings because all parts from the content library will be stored in the active

directory. Therefore, failure to work in the active directory means that components of the

assembly will be in different folders. However, the active folder cannot be changed while

inventor files are open.

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Engineering calculations

Autodesk inventor can only execute a limited number of engineering calculations. It can

be used to carry out stress analysis, dynamic simulation of assemblies, frame analysis and design

optimisation. However, it has no module to execute computational fluid dynamics or heat

transfer analysis. However, models designed in inventor can be exported to other software

packages which are dedicated to engineering analysis such as ANSYS.

Integrated circuit design

Autodesk Inventor has no module designed for integrated circuit design. However,

Inventor IDF Modeller can aid the design of integrated circuit design this software. It uses the

IDF standard to create PCB assemblies. Intermediate Data Format (IDF) allows for exchange of

printed circuit assembly data between mechanical design and printed circuit board (PCB) layout.

Circuit and logic simulation-including AC, DC and transient analysis

Autodesk Inventor has no module designed for circuit and logic simulation-including AC,

DC and transient analysis.

Schematic capture

Autodesk inventor lacks the schematic capture capability and is also not meant for 2D

modelling. Nevertheless, 2D electrical designs and schematic capture can be carried out using

AutoCAD electrical then exported to Inventor. Since there is smooth interoperability between

AutoCAD Electrical and Inventor, AutoCAD Electrical and Inventor can be used to digitally

prototype and document electrical designs.

3 Task 3 Learning Outcome 3.3

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3.1 Evaluate software that can assist the design process.

In this section, the capability of Autodesk Inventor was evaluated on the basis of costs,

compatibility with other software packages and technology used such as CNC machining and 3D

printing (rapid prototyping), functional as well as technical capability of the software when used

in product design process.

Costs associated with Autodesk Inventor

There are two main versions of Inventor namely; inventor and inventor professional.

According to Autodesk.com (2014), Autodesk Inventor Professional 2014 costs $7,295. On the

other hand, Autodesk Inventor 2014 costs $4,725 (NOVEDGE, 2014). However, Autodesk

offers institutions and schools affordable pricing for Autodesk Inventor Educational version. The

price can be as low as 30% less than the commercial version (USA.Autodesk.com, 2014).

Compatibility with other software and technology used. E.g. CNC machining

and rapid prototyping

Autodesk Inventor has the capability to carry out rapid prototyping. The model to be

printed is usually saved as an STL (*.stl) file which is compatible with most commercially

available 3D printers. The ‘send to 3D print service’ guides the user through the workflow. The

user controls the resolution and scale of the printout. This service is accessed as shown in figure

8 below:

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Figure 8: Rapid Prototyping using Autodesk Inventor

However, Inventor does not allow for direct CAM application. For CNC manufacturing,

Autodesk Inventor files are imported into CAM dedicated software packages such as

MasterCAM and InventorCAM. Autodesk Inventor models can also be saved into a universal

data exchange format such as IGES or STEP to allow for compatibility with other CAD software

packages.

Functional as well as technical capability of the software when used in product

design process.

Autodesk Inventor is CAD Software for simulation and mechanical design and has the

following capabilities: BIM compatibility, CAD file conversion and data exchange, AutoCAD

integration and DWG compatibility, Manufacturing and design documentation, CAD rendering

and visualization tools, data management, assembly design, sheet metal design, plastic part

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design, harness and cable design, rules-based design, direct manipulation, tube and pipe design,

sketching tools, tooling and model design, design optimisation and finite element analysis.

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4 References

Autodesk.com. (2014). Autodesk Inventor-3D CAD Software. [Online] Available at:

http://www.autodesk.com/products/autodesk-inventor-family/overview [Accessed: 11 Jan

2014].

NOVEDGE. (2014). Inventor 2014- DVD version. [Online] Available at:

http://www.novedge.com/products/5095 [Accessed: 11 Jan 2014].

USA.Autodesk.com. (2014). Autodesk - Educators - How to Buy. [online] Available at:

http://usa.autodesk.com/adsk/servlet/index?siteID=123112&id=10916786 [Accessed: 11

Jan 2014].