I've had a lot of contact from people asking how I built the iLogic web configurator and if they can have the dataset\details. Thanks to everyone who has forwarded the YouTube link and tweeted on Twitter by the way!
Fear not - all will be revealed in the near future. I am in the process of documenting how I did it and how it can be utilised so that it can be shared and used by manufacturers using Autodesk Inventor with iLogic.
If you've not subscribe to the blog as yet, click here to make sure you are notified about future additions and updates.
Happy inventing!
Wednesday, 10 February 2010
Monday, 8 February 2010
Using Autodesk Inventor iLogic as a web based configurator
A question I get asked about a lot when working with manufacturers and engineers who are looking to make the move from 2D CAD to 3D Digital Prototyping is "how can we automate some of the tedious tasks we have to do?". There are usually a number of reasons why they want the tasks automated but most of the time it boils down to two - reduce the amount of time it takes to complete a design and reduce the number of errors and omissions that sometimes find their way into a design.
With the introduction of iLogic into Autodesk Inventor just over 12 months ago, this gave design engineers the ability to add rules based design automation to their parts, drawings and assemblies directly from within Inventor. Rules could be added quickly and easily so that they can be re-used as and when necessary helping to reduce time, effort and errors. And rules can be built so that design engineers can run them from the rules tree within Inventor or from a custom built dialogue\form that will trigger the rule (more of that to come in the future). Either way, it's quick, easy and very effective!
The next step on from a Design Engineer running the rules from within Autodesk Inventor is to allow access to outside the engineering department so that they can input specification\requirements information into a web page and then let Autodesk Inventor with iLogic rules do most of the work before passing it to an engineer to finish off.
It's all about Paretos Law - getting 80% of the repetitive, standard design work done in a very short space of time, allowing the engineers to then spend time being more innovative and finishing off the design.
Have a look at this quick video that shows an example of a web based part configurator that uses Autodesk Inventor with iLogic. The video shows the 'clients' screen as they input the requirements, let Inventor and iLogic do their thing (on another laptop in this example) and then give them the 2D & 3D DWF right back in the web page:
And don't forget that iLogic is free to Autodesk Inventor subscription customers!
Happy rules based design.
With the introduction of iLogic into Autodesk Inventor just over 12 months ago, this gave design engineers the ability to add rules based design automation to their parts, drawings and assemblies directly from within Inventor. Rules could be added quickly and easily so that they can be re-used as and when necessary helping to reduce time, effort and errors. And rules can be built so that design engineers can run them from the rules tree within Inventor or from a custom built dialogue\form that will trigger the rule (more of that to come in the future). Either way, it's quick, easy and very effective!
The next step on from a Design Engineer running the rules from within Autodesk Inventor is to allow access to outside the engineering department so that they can input specification\requirements information into a web page and then let Autodesk Inventor with iLogic rules do most of the work before passing it to an engineer to finish off.
It's all about Paretos Law - getting 80% of the repetitive, standard design work done in a very short space of time, allowing the engineers to then spend time being more innovative and finishing off the design.
Have a look at this quick video that shows an example of a web based part configurator that uses Autodesk Inventor with iLogic. The video shows the 'clients' screen as they input the requirements, let Inventor and iLogic do their thing (on another laptop in this example) and then give them the 2D & 3D DWF right back in the web page:
And don't forget that iLogic is free to Autodesk Inventor subscription customers!
Happy rules based design.
Saturday, 6 February 2010
New Autodesk Inventor Simulation Blog
Wasim Younis the author of the recently released 'Up and Running with Autodesk Simulation 2010' book has just started a new analysis & simulation dedicated blog.Wasim will be posting tips, tricks, information and tutorials all focussed on the simulation and analysis tools within Autodesk Inventor.
Make sure you head on over to get the latest info - http://vdssolutions.wordpress.com/
If you havn't had a chance to review Wasims book, it's deffinitley worth getting yourself a copy if you want to learn more about the analysis and simulation tools that Autodesk Inventor 2010 has to offer. Have a read of some of the reviews on Amazon of those who have bought it.
UK Based VOX Amps ups design with Inventor & Showcase
VOX Amplification recently used Autodesk Inventor and Autodesk Showcase software, developed by Autodesk to help design four newly released guitar amplifiers — the AC30C2 and the AC15C1 Custom Series, as well as the AC15VR and the AC30VR. VOX products have been used by numerous influential bands and musicians, including “The Beatles” and Deep Purple’s Joe Satriani.
“In today’s economic climate, we need to react fast to market trends,” said Dave Clarke, product development manager, VOX R&D. “Creating digital prototypes with Inventor software and using Showcase for 3D visualization reduces costs and cuts development time in half.”
“Digital prototypes help save money by reducing the need for more costly physical prototypes,” explained Clarke. “With Showcase, we’re able to make real-time changes to a design and quickly reach a concept that the whole team is happy with. This significantly reduces time to market.”
VOX Design Goals:
VOX wanted to maintain the quality and iconic look of its AC30 amplifier, while adding modern design features, improving serviceability and lowering the price point. The result is the new AC30C2 Custom Series.
For the more affordable AC15VR and AC30VR amplifiers, it was important to keep manufacturing costs down while maintaining the renowned VOX sound quality. The economical amps also needed a look that distinguished them from the company’s premium Custom Series offering.
Digital Prototyping with Inventor Software:
Inventor software was used to help design and digitally prototype the new amplifiers, reducing the need for multiple costly physical prototypes. VOX also developed cost-effective manufacturing processes using Inventor software, enabling the company to achieve target price points.
“We wanted a more accessible price point for the AC30C2 Custom Series, but there was no way we would sacrifice quality,” said Clarke. “Using Inventor for the mechanical design of the Custom Series, we were able to more quickly prototype construction techniques that achieved the best possible quality and value. We did the same thing with the AC15VR and AC30VR amps.”
3D Visualization with Autodesk Showcase Software:
VOX used Autodesk Showcase software for real-time 3D visualization, creating highly realistic digital imagery of the new products before they were built. 3D visualization helped VOX to more quickly refine and finalize aesthetic decisions, before physical prototypes were built.
“The biggest challenge we faced when launching the new AC30 was adding cool features while remaining true to our roots,” said Clarke. “We used Showcase to help make and finalize cosmetic decisions at the earliest possible stage of the design process. Creating near photo-realistic visualizations also helped eliminate the need for small but costly changes further down the line, which saved a lot of time and money.”
“We also used Showcase from the start of the conceptual design phase for the AC15VR and AC30VR amps,” added Clarke. “The software’s real-time visualization capabilities helped us determine the precise differences between the VR Series and the premium Custom Series.”
VOX also used Inventor and Showcase software to help design the VOX Night Train amp and the Big Bad Wah pedal, which was developed with musician Joe Satriani.
“In today’s economic climate, we need to react fast to market trends,” said Dave Clarke, product development manager, VOX R&D. “Creating digital prototypes with Inventor software and using Showcase for 3D visualization reduces costs and cuts development time in half.”
“Digital prototypes help save money by reducing the need for more costly physical prototypes,” explained Clarke. “With Showcase, we’re able to make real-time changes to a design and quickly reach a concept that the whole team is happy with. This significantly reduces time to market.”
VOX Design Goals:
VOX wanted to maintain the quality and iconic look of its AC30 amplifier, while adding modern design features, improving serviceability and lowering the price point. The result is the new AC30C2 Custom Series.
For the more affordable AC15VR and AC30VR amplifiers, it was important to keep manufacturing costs down while maintaining the renowned VOX sound quality. The economical amps also needed a look that distinguished them from the company’s premium Custom Series offering.
Digital Prototyping with Inventor Software:
Inventor software was used to help design and digitally prototype the new amplifiers, reducing the need for multiple costly physical prototypes. VOX also developed cost-effective manufacturing processes using Inventor software, enabling the company to achieve target price points.
“We wanted a more accessible price point for the AC30C2 Custom Series, but there was no way we would sacrifice quality,” said Clarke. “Using Inventor for the mechanical design of the Custom Series, we were able to more quickly prototype construction techniques that achieved the best possible quality and value. We did the same thing with the AC15VR and AC30VR amps.”
3D Visualization with Autodesk Showcase Software:
VOX used Autodesk Showcase software for real-time 3D visualization, creating highly realistic digital imagery of the new products before they were built. 3D visualization helped VOX to more quickly refine and finalize aesthetic decisions, before physical prototypes were built.
“The biggest challenge we faced when launching the new AC30 was adding cool features while remaining true to our roots,” said Clarke. “We used Showcase to help make and finalize cosmetic decisions at the earliest possible stage of the design process. Creating near photo-realistic visualizations also helped eliminate the need for small but costly changes further down the line, which saved a lot of time and money.”
“We also used Showcase from the start of the conceptual design phase for the AC15VR and AC30VR amps,” added Clarke. “The software’s real-time visualization capabilities helped us determine the precise differences between the VR Series and the premium Custom Series.”
VOX also used Inventor and Showcase software to help design the VOX Night Train amp and the Big Bad Wah pedal, which was developed with musician Joe Satriani.
Thursday, 28 January 2010
Alias Sketch for AutoCAD
Right at the start of the design process when you've got ideas forming that you want to sketch out and record for future reference and development, usually involves a finely sharpened pencil and whatever paper based media you can get your hands on. Napkins, business cards, newspaper are all used within the design process to get those initial ideas down quickly.
If you have an Apple iPhone though you will no doubt have heard of, and maybe even downloaded and used Autodesk Sketchbook Mobile. Over 1,000,000 people have downloaded and used Sketchbook Mobile to be creative on the iPhone and sketch their designs and ideas for future reference. This is great whilst you're on the move as you just never know when an idea is going to pop into your head.
For those out there using AutoCAD and want to be creative and sketch out ideas digitally or manipulate digital images you can now do this directly inside of AutoCAD using Alias Sketch for AutoCAD which has recently been added to Autodesk Labs.
Alias Sketch for AutoCAD will allow users to:
For more information and to download the software and view videos of it in action please visit:
http://labs.autodesk.com/utilities/alias_sketch_for_autocad/
If you have an Apple iPhone though you will no doubt have heard of, and maybe even downloaded and used Autodesk Sketchbook Mobile. Over 1,000,000 people have downloaded and used Sketchbook Mobile to be creative on the iPhone and sketch their designs and ideas for future reference. This is great whilst you're on the move as you just never know when an idea is going to pop into your head.
For those out there using AutoCAD and want to be creative and sketch out ideas digitally or manipulate digital images you can now do this directly inside of AutoCAD using Alias Sketch for AutoCAD which has recently been added to Autodesk Labs.
Alias Sketch for AutoCAD will allow users to:
- Leverage freehand drawing techniques with pen based interaction
- Create blank screen illustrations
- Create artwork or import images to graphically express the context of designs, something previously requiring multiple applications to achieve
- Manipulate and composite images to quickly create variations for design exploration
- Free-hand mark-up (annotate) directly on top of AutoCAD geometry
For more information and to download the software and view videos of it in action please visit:
http://labs.autodesk.com/utilities/alias_sketch_for_autocad/
Wednesday, 20 January 2010
Manufacturing Gallery on Flickr
Just been having a look through some stats for the Autodesk Manufacturing Gallery on Flickr and the images produced using Autodesk Inventor, Autodesk Showcase, Autodesk Alias etc have been viewed over 10,000 times!
The most popular image so far is this radial engine that was designed and visualised using Autodesk Inventor.
We'll be adding more images and examples of what the Autodesk Digital Prototyping solutions are used for so make sure you visit regularly:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/autodeskmfggallery/
The most popular image so far is this radial engine that was designed and visualised using Autodesk Inventor.
We'll be adding more images and examples of what the Autodesk Digital Prototyping solutions are used for so make sure you visit regularly:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/autodeskmfggallery/
Sunday, 17 January 2010
That was 2009. Welcome 2010...
Happy New Year!
How quickly the holiday period passed by and things are now well and truly back into the swing of things. It was a good break, time to re-charge the batteries and spend time in the snow with family. We’ve had about 12 inches of snow in all since just before Christmas but the thaw has arrived and the snow has all quickly melted away this weekend.
As 2010 starts to pick up momentum we want to make sure that the NE Manufacturing Blog is providing you with the kinds of tips, tricks and information you want.
To help, I did some research using the ever popular Google Analytics to get some stats about the blog to find out what is most popular, what people are reading etc. Here’s some of the stats from when we first launched the blog in August:
• We’ve posted 54 articles in 22 weeks
• There have been 3,137 unique visitors to the blog
• Totalling 7,389 page views
• By visitors from 85 different countries, with most visitors coming from the UK, then the United States, then Germany, Denmark and Sweden.
• The busiest day for the site was on 2 December whilst we were at Autodesk University attending classes and blogging about the event.
• The most read article is Using Autodesk Inventor Content that was the 10th article published on the blog in August.
• Most users view the blog using Internet Explorer, with Firefox in second place with the new Google Chrome browser coming in third.
• Most visitors find their way to the blog directly but the site that sends most people this way is the Autodesk Vault blog Cracking the Vault followed by Twitter, InventorFAQ and then deelip.com.
• The most watched video is the Introduction to Autodesk Inventor iLogic that was blogged in December
Now we’ve had a look at some of the stats and trends from 2009, we really want to hear from you on we can make this blog better for you. What do you want us post on the blog? Are there any specific topics, industries, software etc that you would like us to write about?
One of the things we have already started working on and will be added to on a regular basis is a new YouTube channel - http://www.youtube.com/manufacturingarea. We’ve already been using this YouTube channel to post the tips & tricks videos but we want to use it in its own right and post more video tips, tricks etc about the Autodesk Manufacturing solutions. Make sure you visit to have a look at the videos that are currently available.
So please feel free to get in touch to let us know what you think of the Autodesk Northern Europe Manufacturing Blog with any suggestions of what you would like to see added during 2010.
Thanks for reading, happy Inventing!
How quickly the holiday period passed by and things are now well and truly back into the swing of things. It was a good break, time to re-charge the batteries and spend time in the snow with family. We’ve had about 12 inches of snow in all since just before Christmas but the thaw has arrived and the snow has all quickly melted away this weekend.
As 2010 starts to pick up momentum we want to make sure that the NE Manufacturing Blog is providing you with the kinds of tips, tricks and information you want.
To help, I did some research using the ever popular Google Analytics to get some stats about the blog to find out what is most popular, what people are reading etc. Here’s some of the stats from when we first launched the blog in August:
• We’ve posted 54 articles in 22 weeks
• There have been 3,137 unique visitors to the blog
• Totalling 7,389 page views
• By visitors from 85 different countries, with most visitors coming from the UK, then the United States, then Germany, Denmark and Sweden.
• The busiest day for the site was on 2 December whilst we were at Autodesk University attending classes and blogging about the event.
• The most read article is Using Autodesk Inventor Content that was the 10th article published on the blog in August.
• Most users view the blog using Internet Explorer, with Firefox in second place with the new Google Chrome browser coming in third.
• Most visitors find their way to the blog directly but the site that sends most people this way is the Autodesk Vault blog Cracking the Vault followed by Twitter, InventorFAQ and then deelip.com.
• The most watched video is the Introduction to Autodesk Inventor iLogic that was blogged in December
Now we’ve had a look at some of the stats and trends from 2009, we really want to hear from you on we can make this blog better for you. What do you want us post on the blog? Are there any specific topics, industries, software etc that you would like us to write about?
One of the things we have already started working on and will be added to on a regular basis is a new YouTube channel - http://www.youtube.com/manufacturingarea. We’ve already been using this YouTube channel to post the tips & tricks videos but we want to use it in its own right and post more video tips, tricks etc about the Autodesk Manufacturing solutions. Make sure you visit to have a look at the videos that are currently available.
So please feel free to get in touch to let us know what you think of the Autodesk Northern Europe Manufacturing Blog with any suggestions of what you would like to see added during 2010.
Thanks for reading, happy Inventing!
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