What is Inventor?
Inventor is a software that helps you create different 3D or 2D figures. You can create any kind of shape, as there are different tools you can use to draw. You can dimension the sides of your shapes, make them 3D, or 2D using extrusion methods, and cut certain shapes out of your original shape. Invention simulates your designs and gives you can give you a 3D model of what you've created.
Inventor also allows you to export your figure to different software if you are going create your figure in another software, an example is Makerbot. As you create your shape, Inventor will keep a step by step of what you have done, this way you can go back to your previous steps instead of having to go back and possibly delete what you are up to. Inventor is very easy to navigate, as everything is labelled, so you know what everything in Inventor does.
Inventor also allows you to export your figure to different software if you are going create your figure in another software, an example is Makerbot. As you create your shape, Inventor will keep a step by step of what you have done, this way you can go back to your previous steps instead of having to go back and possibly delete what you are up to. Inventor is very easy to navigate, as everything is labelled, so you know what everything in Inventor does.
Sketch Designs
Creating Widget 3
Here are the steps I took to making my widget, I chose to make Widget 3:
1. First, create a new 2D sketch and click on the XY plane
2. Draw a square that is 1' by 1' for the base of the shape
3. Then make smaller rectangles on the square and dimension all the sides of the rectangles, these will be the cut outs in the shape
4. Click finish sketch and the shape along with all the dimensions will show up
5. Click extrude, then click on the center shape, this will exclude all the rectangles so the shape will be remaining, click ok, the shape should now be 3D and all of the dimensions should disappear
6. Click on the front surface of the shape, then click on create 2D sketch
7. Draw a triangle with the line tool on the top of the front side, to dimension the triangle to be in the center, click the dimension button, on the top point of the triangle, and on the side of the shape opposite to the point, put in the dimension, this will center the triangle
8. Click on the bottom point and the corner of the smaller rectangle cut out to dimension the distance on each side
9. Click finish sketch, go to extrude, click on the cut out button, then click ok
10. The finished widget shape
1. First, create a new 2D sketch and click on the XY plane
2. Draw a square that is 1' by 1' for the base of the shape
3. Then make smaller rectangles on the square and dimension all the sides of the rectangles, these will be the cut outs in the shape
4. Click finish sketch and the shape along with all the dimensions will show up
5. Click extrude, then click on the center shape, this will exclude all the rectangles so the shape will be remaining, click ok, the shape should now be 3D and all of the dimensions should disappear
6. Click on the front surface of the shape, then click on create 2D sketch
7. Draw a triangle with the line tool on the top of the front side, to dimension the triangle to be in the center, click the dimension button, on the top point of the triangle, and on the side of the shape opposite to the point, put in the dimension, this will center the triangle
8. Click on the bottom point and the corner of the smaller rectangle cut out to dimension the distance on each side
9. Click finish sketch, go to extrude, click on the cut out button, then click ok
10. The finished widget shape
Widgets
Makerbot
3D Printing
Summary
During our Introduction to Inventor/3D printing, I learnt how to use multiple different software that I wasn't really familiar with, such as Inventor, and Makerbot. I learnt how to dimension objects in both software, and how to set up my shape in order for it to be 3D printed. I learnt how to set up a 3D printer, how to change the filling, and how a 3D printer prepares itself to print the object. I watched how a 3D printer works its way from the ground upwards, and that certain shapes have to be put on a certain side in order to print properly. I was able to improve my technology skills, as I have used Inventor before but struggled with it, I feel more confident when I use it now.