Using a STEP file of an air cylinder - How do I simulate the stroke?

[Anonymous]

I have a step file for a cylinder that I plan to use in my design. I can understand that the step is just a solid model with no constraints or parts. But is there a method to modify the step (or import to an IAM) so that, in this case, you can apply constraints to the cylinders carriage and simulate the cylinder's motion in Inventor?

Step file of the cable cylinder I'm trying to use is attached.

[dcmorgan]

cut it up and replace the features on the step file... May be a pain in the ****, but this is all you can do with step files is modify them.

[Anonymous]

Thanks! I'm new to inventor, can you go into detail a little just to give me some direction? What do you mean by cut it up?

[Anonymous · Accepted solution]

Here's one method, use the End of Part marker to follow the method. sorry no time to write an explanation. File is saved in Inventor 2010 format.

also remember to click Update after changing the workplane offset

[dcmorgan]

Well,

If you want to simulate the stroke of the cylinder, you need to cut the stroke of the cylinder off, and then replace it with your own cylinder the same length and outside diameter as the one in the step file via revolve, extrusion etc.. You can find out the dimensions of any part you want to replace by measuring it in a .idw file. Once you do this, you have full control over the stroke of the cylinder because you built the cylinder with constraints. Adjust your constraints to adjust the stroke of the cylinder.

[Anonymous]

Thanks BMILLER63, that IPT file was a great help. Just trying to understand the reasoning behind the first few steps. What is accomplished exactly by using the copy object command to create the composite, then sculpting the composite?

[Anonymous]

Gald it helped.

Copy object copied the entire solid as a work body

Sculpt, set to out put a new solid, converted the work body into a duplicate solid.

Then I just cut one up to remove the parts I didn't want, then did the opposite on the other.