Motion Analysis GrafiCalc can analyze all manner of mechanisms and moving components through sketched geometry. It evaluates actuator lengths, motion envelopes, kinematics, and more. Calculation macros can be established to feed one parameter from the real-time results of another value that is being driven by iteration. Multiple macros can be applied to the simulation. Performance Modeling Moment of inertia, volumes, deflections, load analysis, and just about any engineering principle you can envision are included. In Figure 15, the heat sink cross sectional thickness goal is being evaluated based on how much heat energy dissipation are required.
Inventor While the interface is a bit old, it is kind of cool. It is a whiteboard with sketches tied to equations and parameters in a way that’s unorthodox but easy to understand. GrafiCalc’s capabilities and flexible (and unbelievably simplified) interface really delivers in pre-modeling statistical analyis. I’d like to see… The tolerancing analysis features are what caught my attention and are why I included it in this article. I expect to see more integration within Inventor. I think this could be done without too much ordeal and would seriously benefit everyone concerned. Additionally, bi-directional, dynamic linking would be sweet.
product focus
2012
This product has a huge base of well- established users and the application is obviously good. Unfortunately, if the developers don’t fully integrate into Inventor, someone else will. http://www.graficalc.com/
Conclusion I had hoped to cover a wide cross section of products—in detail, cost, and integration methodologies. All of these applications are worth looking into. • • • • Figure 15: GrafiCalc goal solution
Figure 16 shows allowable deflection as a goal; the beam specifications are altered until the goal is met.
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InventorCAM – if you need serious CAM technology and you want a great interface, check this out. GearTrax – Super-fast and stable table- driven gear generator with hundreds of options and direct part file creation. STL Import from SYCODE – Best import integration I’ve seen—right where you need the capabilities. GrafiCalc – Statistical analysis for mechanical engineering, with bi-directional Excel and DXF transfers, and an interesting interface. iPropWiz – (I saved the best for last) At $80 bucks, this configurable headache saver just can’t be beat. Configurable iProperties, any way you like ‘em! John Evans is an Autodesk Certified Inventor Professional living in the Florida Panhandle, where he provides technical troubleshooting at Gustin, Cothern, and Tucker, Inc. His career through the Aerospace Design, manufacturing, and maintenance spans 24 years and includes a tour in the USAF. John now works as a design consultant and author from his company John Evans Design and manages the blog “Design and Motion”, where he combines his passions: Autodesk Inventor, simulation, and motion control. He is a regular attendee of Autodesk University and has recently joined Tekni Consulting as a contributing author for the Creative Inventor training series. He can be reached at john@johnevansdesign.net.
Figure 16: GrafiCalc beam deflection example
June 2011
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