Product simulation with Inventor Nastran
Product Simulation with Finite Element Analysis (FEA) is a computerized method for predicting how a product reacts to real-world forces, vibration, heat, fluid flow, and other physical effects. Finite Element Analysis shows whether a product will break, wear out, or work the way it was designed. It is called analysis, but in the product development process, it is used to predict what is going to happen when the product is used.
Course overview
Product Simulation with Finite Element Analysis (FEA) is a computerized method for predicting how a product reacts to real-world forces, vibration, heat, fluid flow, and other physical effects. Finite Element Analysis shows whether a product will break, wear out, or work the way it was designed. It is called analysis, but in the product development process, it is used to predict what is going to happen when the product is used.
Learn how to:
- Get started with Inventor Nastran.
- Use element types and meshing in FEA.
- Apply different types of loads and constraints in FEA.
- Simulate contacts between parts with Inventor Nastran.
- Use connectors in FEA.
Course downloads
These downloadable resources will be used to complete modules in this course:
Course outline
Get started with Inventor Nastran
When working with FEA analysis, it is important to be aware of the analysis types that are available to select the study type that will have the types of loads that you need to apply and produce the type of output that you are interested in. Before jumping into the FEA environment, it can also be prudent to consider employing certain modeling techniques within the CAD environment to make for an easier setup of the analysis and faster solution. Discover the analysis types available and the steps for preparing your CAD model before teaching you how to set up, run, and analyze an analysis in Inventor Nastran.
Module outline
When working with FEA analysis, it is important to be aware of the analysis types that are available to select the study type that will have the types of loads that you need to apply and produce the type of output that you are interested in. Before jumping into the FEA environment, it can also be prudent to consider employing certain modeling techniques within the CAD environment to make for an easier setup of the analysis and faster solution. Discover the analysis types available and the steps for preparing your CAD model before teaching you how to set up, run, and analyze an analysis in Inventor Nastran.
- Know which analysis types are available.
- Simplify geometry and understand what can be simplified.
- Understand what to preserve in a model.
- Combine, exclude, or split geometry and use boundary conditions.
- Use symmetry and anti-symmetry.
- Set up an analysis in Inventor Nastran.
- Run and analyze the analysis in Inventor Nastran.
About the author
Before you start
- Please make sure you have the Autodesk Inventor software loaded and installed.
- Install Autodesk Nastran from your Autodesk Account as a part of your contract or download a trial.
- If you have technical difficulties, please reach out to product support.
Use element types and meshing in FEA
Being able to utilize the various element types will add a useful skillset when performing Finite Element Analysis while knowing the options available to you in regards to meshing can make for a more efficient model. Finally, knowing how to obtain a converged mesh is important for the accuracy of the solution.
Module outline
Being able to utilize the various element types will add a useful skillset when performing Finite Element Analysis while knowing the options available to you in regard to meshing can make for a more efficient model. Finally, knowing how to obtain a converged mesh is important for the accuracy of the solution.
This content takes approximately 50 minutes to complete. By the end, you should be able to:
- Know when and how to leverage various element types.
- Have an understanding of element order.
- Know how to review and impact the element quality.
- Know how to control the global mesh size of your geometry.
- Know how to adjust the mesh refinement locally.
- Understand what a converged mesh means and know why it matters.
About the author
Before you start
- Please make sure you have the Autodesk Inventor software loaded and installed.
- Install Autodesk Nastran from Autodesk Account as a part of your contract or download a trial.
- If you have technical difficulties, please reach out to product support.
Apply different types of loads and constraints in FEA
Being aware of the types of loads and constraints available and the ways in which you can apply them to your geometry is fundamental to your being able to successfully set up and analyze geometry that is representative of the conditions your geometry will experience.
Module outline
Being aware of the types of loads and constraints available and the ways in which you can apply them to your geometry is fundamental to your being able to successfully set up and analyze geometry that is representative of the conditions your geometry will experience.
This content should take approximately 30 to 45 minutes to complete. By the end, you should be able to:
- Explain the different types of loads and constraints.
- Apply loads and constraints to the geometry.
- Use subcases.
- Review the results of an analysis with multiple subcases.
- Understand the consequences of under- or over-constrained models.
- Navigate special constraint situations (e.g., rotations, bearings, symmetry).
About the author
Before you start
- Please make sure you have the Autodesk Inventor software loaded and installed.
- Install Autodesk Nastran from Autodesk Account as a part of your contract or download a trial.
- If you have technical difficulties, please reach out to product support.
Simulate contacts between parts with Inventor Nastran
Being aware of the types of contact available and how you can apply contact to your geometry is fundamental to your being able to successfully set up and analyze geometry that is representative of the conditions your geometry will experience.
Module outline
Being aware of the types of contact available and how you can apply contact to your geometry is fundamental to your being able to successfully set up and analyze geometry that is representative of the conditions your geometry will experience.
This content should take approximately 45 minutes to 1 hour to complete. By the end, you should be able to:
- Understand the types of contacts that are generally available.
- Reduce the amount of contact in a model.
- Stabilize a contact model.
- Troubleshoot your model setup.
About the author
Before you start
- Please make sure you have the Autodesk Inventor software loaded and installed.
- Install Autodesk Nastran from your Autodesk Account as a part of your contract or download a trial.
- If you have technical difficulties, please reach out to product support.
Use connectors in FEA
Having knowledge of the connectors available and how to utilize them can simplify the setup and significantly reduce the element count – making for a faster solution. While perhaps not a part of every simulation that you run, it is advantageous to be aware of connectors so that you can consider them and when they might be applicable to your geometry.
Module outline
Having knowledge of the connectors available and how to utilize them can simplify the setup and significantly reduce the element count – making for a faster solution. While perhaps not a part of every simulation that you run, it is advantageous to be aware of connectors so that you can consider them and when they might be applicable to your geometry.
This content should take approximately 60 to 75 minutes to complete. By the end, you should be able to:
- Understand the types of connectors that are generally available.
- Apply common types of connectors in practice.
About the author
Before you start
- Please make sure you have the Autodesk Inventor software loaded and installed.
- Install Autodesk Nastran from Autodesk Account as a part of your contract or download a trial.
- If you have technical difficulties, please reach out to product support.
