Generate components based on engineering calculations.
The Engineer's Handbook is a survey of all the knowledge and calculation formulas for Generators and Calculators included in the Design Accelerator.
The Design Accelerator represents an important component of Functional Design. Engineering calculations and decision support identify standard components or create standards-based geometry.
- simplify the design process;
- automate selections and geometry creation;
- improve initial design quality by validating against design requirements; and
- increase standardization by selecting the same components for the same tasks.
Operations performed in Design Accelerator
Design Accelerator tools are divided into three groups:
- Component Generators
- Mechanical Calculators
- Engineer's Handbook
Design components and perform calculations with Component generators. Some generators use Content Center components. For example, the Bolted Connection Generator or Clevis Pin generator. Connect to Content Center to insert components using Content Center component generators. Calculations can be performed without a connection to Content Center.
Use the following Design Accelerator generators:
- Bolted Connection
- Shaft
- Involute Splines
- Parallel Splines
- Key Connection
- Disc Cam
- Linear Cam
- Spur Gears
- Bevel Gears
- Worm Gears
- Bearing
- V-Belts
- Synchronous Belts
- Roller Chains
- Clevis Pin
- Joint Pin
- Secure Pin
- Cross Pin
- Radial Pin
- O-ring
Engineering calculators use standard mathematical formulas and physical theories in design and validation of mechanical systems.
The following Design Accelerator calculators are available:
- Plain Bearing
- Plug and Groove Weld
- Butt Weld
- Spot Weld
- Filled Weld (Connection Plane Load) Weld
- Fillet Weld (Spatial Load) Weld
- Butt Solder Joint
- Bevel Solder Joint
- Lap Solder Joint
- Step Tube Solder Joint
- Step Solder Joint
- Separated Hub Joint
- Slotted Hub Joint
- Cone Joint
- Tolerance
- Limits and Fits
- Press Fit
- Power Screw
- Beam and Column
- Plate
- Shue Drum Brake
- Disc Brake
- Cone Brake
- Band Drum Brake
Design Accelerator toolbar
Use the Design Accelerator toolbar to access Design Accelerator functions.
- Select the Tools tab
Options panel Customize.
- Switch to the Toolbars tab.
- In the list, select Design Accelerator, and select Show.
- Place the toolbar in any location on the screen.
Can I share a Design Accelerator database?
The Design Accelerator library is installed at Inventor\Design Data\DesignAccelerator. The library contains files with specific data for individual generators and calculators. For example, factors, chains, or hole parameters. Move the folder to a server or other location for sharing.
Do I need other applications to work successfully with generators and calculators?
Some generators insert parts from Content Center. To work with these generators, you must be connected to Content Center and have the appropriate libraries loaded.
The following generators insert components from Content Center:
- Bolted Connection
- Key Connection
- Bearing
- Clevis Pin
- Joint Pin
- Secure Pin
- Radial Pin
- Cross Pin
- O-Ring
- Shaft
Component Authoring
To customize the company standard parts and parts delivered with Autodesk Inventor, the Author and Publish processes are enabled for user components in the part environment.
In the Design Accelerator Component Authoring dialog box, you define iMates and Part parameters. All inserted values are transferred to the Content Center Publish command so you can fluently author and publish user components.
Update
Design Accelerator Generators are enabled to the Update command. For more information, refer to Design Accelerator Browser.
File Naming
The File Naming dialog box changes to the Display and filenames for Design Accelerator components.
On the ribbon, select the Design tab. Open any generator or calculator and select File Naming
to rename a file.
Results area
To display the Results area on the right side of the Calculation and Design tabs, double-click the double line on the right or select the chevron
. The units of the calculated result values can be changed. For example, you can change millimeters to inches.
The inputs that fail the calculation are displayed in red (their value does not correspond with other inserted values or calculation criteria).
The list of results is unavailable if the results are not up-to-date. For example, if you change any calculation value, the list becomes gray. When you press Calculate, the black color of the list of results indicates that the list reflects the current state of inserted values.
Summary of Messages
Displays calculation reports. To open the Summary of Messages area, select the chevron
at the bottom of the Calculation and Design tabs.
Calculation results display in different colors. Informational descriptions display in blue and inputs that fail the calculation display in red.
Finish a design or calculation of a component, but the inputs do not correspond with other inserted values or calculations. If a description has a red background, it describes a critical calculation or design state. You cannot continue with the design or calculation unless the error is corrected.
Graphical Preview
Grips are available to edit values. For generators, various grips are available depending on the design. For example, when designing a compression spring two grips are available to change the diameter and move the spring along its axis.