In addition to importing Autodesk Inventor CAD data, Autodesk Simulation can also import FEA data (loads, constraints, and so on) from applicable Inventor files.
Workflow
- In Autodesk Inventor, click Add-Ins: Autodesk Simulation: Mesh. Or, from within Autodesk Simulation, click
Open. The transfer is invoked the same way as a normal CAD import. If FEA data is detected during a standard CAD import, the Transfer Options dialog opens and prompts you to select what to import.
- Select to import the CAD data, the simulation data, All or None.
- For CAD data, <inventor filename>.fem
- For simulation data, <inventor filename>_<inventor simulation name>_<simulation instance number>.fem
Each item you select creates a separate Autodesk Simulation FEA Model (.fem file) using the following naming conventions:
- All files are created in the same folder as the Inventor file. Therefore, when you import multiple selections, use Work with to choose the model to remain open after all .FEMs are created.
- Include Midside Nodes in Simulation turns on midside nodes for all parts you import. For more information on midside nodes, click here.
- PivotBracket.fem
- PivotBracket_Simulation_1.fem
- PivotBracket_Simulation_2.fem
For example, say you have PivotBracket.ipt open in Inventor and it includes two simulations, Simulation:1 and Simulation:2. Click Add-Ins: Autodesk Simulation: Mesh, select to import All, and click OK. The following Autodesk Simulation FEA models are created:
Associativity
Unlike CAD only imports, FEA imports are not associative. Therefore, if you try and import an Inventor Simulation a second time, you will receive a pop-up asking if you would like to either overwrite the existing file or save as a new file name.
Compatibility
Not all FEA loads and constraints can be imported. If the Inventor Simulation you attempt to import contains incompatible objects, a pop-up will alert you and a log file will be created. See the following table for compatibility.
| Inventor | Autodesk Simulation | |
|---|---|---|
| Analysis Type | Stress Analysis | Static Stress with Linear Materials |
| Modal Analysis | Natural Frequency (Modal) | |
| Modal Analysis with Compute Preloaded Modes checked | Natural Frequency (Modal) with Load Stiffening | |
| Constraints | Fixed (standard) | Surface Boundary Condition (fixed) |
| Fixed (using vector components) | Surface Displacement Boundary | |
| Pin | Pin Constraint | |
| Frictionless | Requires future development | |
| Loads | Force | Surface Force |
| Pressure | Surface Pressure | |
| Bearing | Surface Bearing Load | |
| Gravity | Gravity / Acceleration | |
| Moment | Surface Moment | |
| Remote Force | Requires future development | |
| Body Load |
Gravity / Acceleration 1 or Centrifugal |
|
| Contact | Bonded | Bonded |
| Separation | Surface Contact | |
| Sliding / No Separation | Sliding / No Separation | |
| Separation / No Sliding | Separation / No Sliding | |
| Shrink fit / sliding | Shrink Fit / Sliding | |
| Shrink fit / no sliding | Shrink Fit / No Sliding | |
| Spring (user-defined stiffness) | Requires future development |
1 Linear body loads are imported as gravity/acceleration.
NOTE: Inventor Simulation and Autodesk Simulation utilize different methods of solving the finite element analysis. Therefore, the results are likely to be different between the two environments even if the exact same mesh could be created. As with all analyses, the size of the mesh will also have an effect on the accuracy of the results.