Bar clamp (?) - tips needed for drawing + modelling.

[GGOAA]

Hi.

I've received an assignment to draw and model a bar clamp in Inventor that's due in 3-4 days or so. As I had so much success asking for help here last time I struggled with an assignment, I decided to come back again.

First of, what's new with this assignment is that I have an item in my hands that I'm supposed to draw in Inventor. That means I have no measurements at hand nor drawings. I am supposed to hand in drawings (.idw), project file (.ipj), .ipt (I would assume that's the parts file(s)) and assemblies (.iam).

What I have done so far is I've drawed the 'shell' of my bar clamp at hand. Does inventor have a tool that lets me draw a 'technical drawing'? There's a lot of small details I find hard to draw that would be easier to just model, but obviously one can't model something that isn't on the drawing which should be the base of the modelling even though I have the end product in front of me.

I could also need some help on how to present it properly, but let's take that in a couple of days.

I will post my progress as soon as I have the final drawings ready so that my modelling makes sense.

Any feedback is appreciated.

[GGOAA]

Sorry for the double post, but is it possible for me to edit my original post?

Anyhow, an idea I just got messing around in Inventor (2013), would it be possible to reverse the process? If I model my bar clamp, and then use that model to make a technical drawing?

Edit: I can now see that I was unable to edit my opening post.

[blair]

You would need to create a new "drawing document" and then place the views of your model for the addition of dimensions and detailing.

This will help:

http://home.pct.edu/~jmather/AU2006/MA13-3%20Mather.pdf

[GGOAA]

Thanks for your reply, blair!

That pdf file is genius in some form. I just had a quick look through it but it covers a lot, and for the first time, I believe those kinds of headlines. But then again, the author is an Inventor genius.

It complicates my plan slightly, but I will be back later with my progress. 

[blair]

Go to YouTube.com as well and search for "Inventor"

[GGOAA]

I've underestimated how complicated this problem was, but I'm getting around it now. I still have two parts I'm struggling slightly with, but I'll get around to that in a moment.

Attached to this post are three files. One overview of the bar clamp in question (143), one of my first problem (144) and lastly, the threaded part (145).

Picture 144 shows how the 'head' is attached to the threaded part - with a sphere. How would you go about to solve this in inventor? There is no way I can take the parts apart and measure it exactly.

Picture 145 shows the threaded part. The measurement in the picture is 7.9mm. How would you go about to find an appropriate thread type? The diameter of the circle is 15mm on the 'outside' and 11.4mm on the 'inside', at its thinnest, kind of.

Lastly, the handle is made of wood. How do you solve that in Inventor?

Thanks for your help so far - I really appreciate it.

[GGOAA]

Sorry for the double post, but here are my two parts so far - in a very primitive fashion I feel. 

[blair]

Ball: either Revolve to develop the shape or start with a Primitive shape. Thread: Amce type thread, use the Coil command to either add material to a shaft or cut material from a shaft.

[blair]

Not sure why you created the "Thread" item using the Sheet-Metal template. This limits the ability to model the part.

[blair]

Not sure why, but I am unable to send the attachment. you can e-mail be at: blair dot stunder at arcticmfg dot com

[JDMather]

What book are you using to find information on ACME thread forms?

My students just finished a similar assignment.

[GGOAA]

I have no book, Sir. Our course is merely trial and error I'm afraid. It consist of students watching how the teacher models in Inventor, followed by exercises, some of which I have shown you (and by the way, I was one of very few that got a decent grade on that if you do remember the problem you helped me out with - all thanks to you).

It's frustrating, especially since I find it very interesting and would like to learn to be good at it. Hopefully it'll be better the coming semesters.

[mpatchus]

Pick up any drafting or mechanical drawing textbook and work on creating parts.

Especially look in the "manufacturing processes", "multiview drawings", and "auxiliary  drawings" chapters for some very good parts to practice modeling.

For Inventor specific instruction, look for a book titled "Inventor: Basics of Parametric Modeling" by James LoFasso.

It may be for an older version of Inventor than what you are using, but the workflows and parts a great.

Curtis Waguespack also puts out a great book called "Master Autodesk Inventor".

Both not only provide good learning material, but they become a great source of reference material as your knowledge of the program expands.

[blair]

When all else fails, search YouTube.com Lots of great videos to watch on Inventor.

[blair]

I'm on IV2014, you didn't post which version you were on.

[GGOAA]

I appreciate this input, and I will certainly take it into account when I have time to learn more about Inventor.

Right now, though, I'm focusing on getting this assignment done for wednesday.

Thanks for your reply.

[GGOAA]

Sorry blair, I'm using Inventor professional 2013, student version.

[JDMather]

What is the measurement in image 145?

Is the Ø15 in your thread file the outside diameter or the root diameter?

Create a tooth profile sketch as shown.

[JDMather]

Chamfer both ends 1.5mm.

[JDMather]

Since you didn't supply dimensions - I'm just guessing here - this looks too small but should give you the idea.

Change those 2mm dimensions to 1.5mm.

Coil - cut with a pitch of 3 (twice the thickness of the tooth at pitch circle) a height of 75mm.