Tag Archives: Configurator Software

Configurator software such as Autodesk Inventor with iLogic allows any manufacturer to create modeling programs that will automatically create 3D models of their products at the push of a button.

Cabinet Configurator Tutorial for Inventor 2013 – Plan Sketch – 2

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Cabinet configurator TutorialIn the last post in this Cabinet Configurator Tutorial, we added a new work plane, created the Plan sketch, then created the geometry that represents the plan version of the face frame. In this sketch, all geometry from front to back that is constrained to the projected points –such as the face frame, will not need dimensioning. The projected points will smoothly update to any changes in the parameters that dive the geometry they were projected from. Any geometry drawn front to back however, will require dimensioning.

We left off the sketch with the face frame constrained to the points that were projected from the elevation representation of same –which automatically gives it it’s thickness dimension. Looking at the Status Bar, you can see there is one dimension needed, which is the width. If you click and drag either of the ends of the sketch, you can drag it to a new width. Create a new parameter named Overall_Width, and give it a value of 36”. Dimension the front-most line with the new parameter, and you will have a fully constrained sketch…

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Inventor Tutorial – Shaker Table Arched Apron Option 2

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In the last post for this Inventor Tutorial, we went back in time in the model’s feature history and created the Cut Extrude features that will make up ¼ of the features needed to represent the arch feature option for the Shaker Table. In this post, we will be patterning these new features, and possibly dealing with the bracket issue.

First, drag the EOP all the way down to the bottom of the feature list. Then, double click the Apron A Mirror feature to bring up its dialog. Click on the Features selector arrow, then select the Long Arch Cut feature. You should get a highlight as shown below…

 

Inventor Tutorial Shaker Table Arches Apron Option 02 – Image 01 - Add the new cut to the existing mirror

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Inventor Tutorial – Shaker Table Arched Apron Option 1

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Inventor Tutorial Shaker Table Arches Apron Option – Image 00 - Roll up the EOPThis Inventor Tutorial post is part of the Shaker Table series blogtorial that starts with the Progressive Mortise and Tenon iLogic Tutorial post, and has no planned end, but is going on the back-burner as the Cabinetmaking Automation blogtorial kicks off. One of the ODP’s readers asked about arched aprons in a comment a few days back, and I decided to squeak in a post for that while I’m thinking about it.

 One of the reasons I decided to take this one is because it’s easy as all get-out. In this brief Inventor Tutorial we will go back in time in our model’s history, add some parameters, create a couple sketches, create two extrusions, and finally add the arched aprons to a control form as an option, and create a slider control to tweak it’s look. Easy peasy. Even an idiot can do it…..just watch me…

If you remember way back when we laid out the aprons, they were created as a top view sketch that was extruded downwards and patterned to create all of the needed elements. This causes a minor inconvenience as we cannot just go back and modify existing sketches, we will need to create some new ones. Continue reading →





iLogic Tutorial – Automatic Board Configurator 04

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In the last segment of this iLogic Tutorial we got a little sidetracked with the (possible) number of the boards in the top. Today the tutorial will get into the iLogic code that will configure said top. I have written an iLogic Rule called Board Configurator, and planned to have a video below…

 

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iLogic Tutorial – Automatic Board Configurator 03

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iLogic Tutorial - Automatic Board Configurator Page Three Image 11 - New BoardsIn the last installment of this iLogic Tutorial, we went back in time in the Layout Part to change the top of the Shaker Table from a single wide board to four boards. We still need to make parts from the new Solid Bodies, and create the iLogic configurations that will their number and width.

We’ll make the new parts first. Open up your assembly model, Designing a Shaker Table with Autodesk Inventor.iam. Then open the layout part from within the assembly. To begin, in the layout Part (Designing a Shaker Table with Autodesk Inventor.ipt) switch to the Manage Tab, then on the Layout Panel, choose the Make Components tool…

 

iLogic Tutorial - Automatic Board Configurator Page Three Image 01 - Make components

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iLogic Tutorial – Automatic Board Configurator 02

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 In this, the second installment of this iLogic tutorial, we will extrude the solid bodies that will make up the multi-board top, and begin to develop the iLogic rule that will configure who many boards should be present, and how wide they need to be.

I’m not going to get super involved at this point, but I will add a configurable trim allowance at some point. I’m not 100% sure how to do so, but that’s never stopped me before.

We left off in the last installment –iLogic Tutorial – Automatic Board Configurator 01 –with the once single board top reduced to a more normal width <= 6, and have added three potential boards. The first thing to do would be to get rid of the Chamfer on the edge facing inwards…

 

Remove chamfer feature

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