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Review

From CAD User Mechanical Magazine  Vol 22 No 10 - OCTOBER/NOVEMBER 2009

... with Autodesk Inventor Simulation 2010

We don't often do book reviews in CAD User, usually because my time is usually taken up with bludgeoning my way into the latest bit of software, testing, if you will, it's intuitiveness or its ability to withstand my heavy-handed approach. It’s usually a good test of a solution’s robustness if you can retrieve your object after blundering around in it for half an hour or so!

But it’s a different story when it comes to simulation. I’m in territory where I need a bit more backup when I take a wrong turn. And I'm probably on a par with most

The next 6 chapters - 9 to 15 - look at FEA simulation, or more explicitly, stress analysis. It gives a brief overview of FEA analysis, all about constraints, the different types of loads, the use of meshing, and basic FEA theory, explaining the differences between linear and non-linear analysis, and how and where they are applied.

In fact, both of the introductory chapters take pains to lay out the work processes for each type of simulation, and include complete descriptions of the screens and functions that are used to perform them, and how they work. In the case of

calculated in fully loaded equipment. The workflow is defined, boundary conditions established and the simulation is run and analysed. The results can be optimised by selecting alternate materials for the model, or by altering some of the geometry. In design problem 10, for example, where the problem is the design of an industrial fan blade, the change of material is accompanied by changing the blade thickness from 2mm to 5mm.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

The book was written by Wasim Younis, a

design engineers when they want to add a bit of simulation to their modelling. It's not just the mechanics that need to be understood, but the why's and wherefore's of it all. So any book that's going to lead me into such esoteric worlds need to be pretty comprehensive, easy to read, and to begin at the beginning - or somewhere thereabouts - by introducing the concept of simulation within Inventor. The book in question is Up and Running with Autodesk Inventor Simulation 2010, subtitled A Step-by-Step Guide to Engineering design Solutions. A substantial title for a substantial book. It’s divided into two parts, the first 8 chapters concentrating on mechanical simulation - how machines work, how well the parts work together, whether alternative materials are more suitable, or more power is required to run them. It explains how constraints, and forces like gravity, friction, damping and inertia are applied to mechanical joints, and how they affect performance velocities, acceleration and so on. mechanical simulations that also includes a list of the dynamic simulation joints used throughout the book - and where. A handy reference guide even after the contents have been absorbed. In each case the various steps to set up and use the simulations are explained in detail, with copious use of diagrams that show browsers, screen displays, properties and input panels and graphs, accompanied by simple descriptions that explain the steps being taken in full. In the case of mechanical simulation, after demonstrating the most important functions in Chapter 1, subsequent chapters present a series of actual design problems are used to illustrate further solutions - covering mechanical tools, bridge design, agricultural implement and engine piston rod design, each accompanied by a declaration of the problem, relevant workflows and the maths to find a solution, and how to analyse the results. The same technique is used in the dynamic simulation section, where examples are used to show how stress is UK-based Inventor Simulation consultant and trainer.

He has spent the last three years enhancing and updating the Simulation Autodesk Official Training Courseware, which, if it was produced to the same high standard as this book, gives students a through grounding in simulation processes and techniques. Younis also contributes to numerous other sources used by Autodesk Inventor users, including tips and tricks, additional tutorials, book information and exercises, all available through his website www.vdssolutions.co.uk, and is probably, therefore, familiar to many of you. As for the book itself, well it’s exactly what I hoped to find - a well ordered and instructive path through much of the simulation minefield. Besides being laid out with each example easily assimilated, it can be maintained as a reference manual for Inventor users who only use simulation on a sporadic basis - a reminder of the responses that each of the processes are looking for.

www.elsevierdirect.com

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