• Inventor

Mechanical design with intent

Machines and Mechanisms are the most common elements mechanical engineers calculate and design. Learn how to design machine elements in a hypothetical project we provide using Autodesk Inventor and one of its key productivity tools - Design Accelerators. This content focuses on best practices and WHYs behind certain decisions you have to make as a mechanical engineer.


Course overview

Machines and Mechanisms are the most common elements mechanical engineers calculate and design. Learn how to design machine elements in a hypothetical project we provide using Autodesk Inventor and one of its key productivity tools - Design Accelerators.

This content focuses on best practices and WHYs behind certain decisions you have to make as a mechanical engineer.

You will learn the following skills:

  • Use CAD efficiently to design machines and mechanisms.
  • Design and calculate shafts.
  • Design and calculate gears and bearings.
  • Design and calculate belt drives.
  • Design and calculate bolted connections.
  • Design and calculate frames.
  • Design and calculate other machine elements.

Before you start

Course downloads

These downloadable resources will be used to complete modules in this course:

Course outline

30 min.

Mechanisms design in mechanical engineering

This session focuses on the moving elements of machines such shafts, gears, bearings and belt drives. You will also learn about other available design accelerators and use its built-in calculators.

This session focuses on the moving elements of machines such shafts, gears, bearings and belt drives. You will also learn about other available design accelerators and use its built-in calculators.

You can just watch the videos and in this case the session will take about 15 minutes, or you can take the hypothetical project we provide and go over all the main productivity tools to transform your awareness about these tools into a skill.
 
By the end, you will learn the following skills:
  •  Use CAD efficiently to design machines and mechanisms.
  •  Design and calculate shafts.
  •  Design and calculate gears and bearings.

About the author

This series was developed and recorded by Thom Tremblay, Mechanical Engineer, Author and Certified Instructor. In 1988 Thom Tremblay started working as a drafter and mechanical designer in shipbuilding, planning, casework, commercial electronics, and centrifugal compressors eventually led Thom using his skills to teach others. With over twenty years of experience consulting with businesses and education institutions of all types and sizes, Thom has developed an understanding of how people use and learn technologies. Thom also holds professional certifications in Autodesk AutoCAD and Autodesk Inventor, and is an Autodesk Certified Instructor. Thom has authored several books and online learning content on Autodesk Inventor and is authoring online learning content for Fusion.

Before you start


1 hr. 50 min.

Machine elements design in mechanical engineering

Learn about the static elements of machines such as frame, bolted connection and compression spring design. You will also learn about other available design accelerators and calculators.

In this content series, we will focus on the static elements of machines such as frames, bolted connections, and compression spring designs. You'll also learn about other available design accelerators and calculators. 

You can expect to spend approximately 1 hour and 45 minutes to 2 hours watching the videos and completing the exercises in this series. After completing this content series, you will have a strong understanding of:

  • An introduction to Machine Design Elements
  • Creating bolt connections
  • Creating and modifying the frame generator
  • Adding compression springs and other elements


About the author

This series was developed and recorded by Edward Gillman, Technical Consultant. Edward Gillman is a Mechanical Engineer with over a decade of experience spanning industries including Aerospace, Medical Product Development, and Advanced Manufacturing. Along the way, he's developed a patented manufacturing method for wheelchair seating and provided FEA, CFD, and CAM consulting services to companies all over the United States. His diverse technical background provides a unique perspective to online learning content.

Before you start