Product simulation with Inventor Nastran

When working with FEA analysis, it is important to be aware of the analysis types that are available to select the study type that will have the types of loads that you need to apply and produce the type of output that you are interested in. Before jumping into the FEA environment, it can also be prudent to consider employing certain modeling techniques within the CAD environment to make for an easier setup of the analysis and faster solution. Discover the analysis types available and the steps for preparing your CAD model before teaching you how to set up, run, and analyze an analysis in Inventor Nastran.

• Know which analysis types are available.
• Simplify geometry and understand what can be simplified.
• Understand what to preserve in a model.
• Combine, exclude, or split geometry and use boundary conditions.
• Use symmetry and anti-symmetry.
• Set up an analysis in Inventor Nastran.
• Run and analyze the analysis in Inventor Nastran.

• Introduction to FEA and Nastan Analysis Types
• Preparing a CAD model for FEA
• Setting up a Nastran Analysis
• Setting up a Nastran Analysis - Demo
• Running and analyzing a Nastran analysis
• Running and analyzing a Nastran Analysis - Demo
• Get started with Inventor Nastran - Quiz
• Get started with Inventor Nastran - Summary

• Overview of element types
• Using shell/plate element types
• Refining the mesh
• Converging the mesh
• Use element types and meshing in FEA - Quiz
• Use element types and meshing in FEA - Summary

Being aware of the types of loads and constraints available and the ways in which you can apply them to your geometry is fundamental to your being able to successfully set up and analyze geometry that is representative of the conditions your geometry will experience.

This content should take approximately 30 to 45 minutes to complete. By the end, you should be able to:​

• Explain the different types of loads and constraints.
• Apply loads and constraints to the geometry.
• Use subcases.
• Review the results of an analysis with multiple subcases.
• Understand the consequences of under- or over-constrained models.
• Navigate special constraint situations (e.g., rotations, bearings, symmetry).
  
  

About the author

• Overview of loads and constraints in Nastran
• Assigning loads and constraints to a simulation
• Using subcases to compare analyses
• Reviewing subcase simulation results
• Assigning and working with enforced motion loads
• Apply different types of loads and constraints in FEA - Quiz
• Apply different types of loads and constraints in FEA - Summary

Being aware of the types of contact available and how you can apply contact to your geometry is fundamental to your being able to successfully set up and analyze geometry that is representative of the conditions your geometry will experience. 

This content should take approximately 45 minutes to 1 hour to complete. By the end, you should be able to:

• Understand the types of contacts that are generally available. 
• Reduce the amount of contact in a model. 
• Stabilize a contact model. 
• Troubleshoot your model setup.

About the author

• Overview of contacts in Nastran
• Assigning contacts in a Nastran analysis
• Troubleshooting stability issues in an analysis
• Simulate contacts between parts with Inventor Nastran - Quiz

Having knowledge of the connectors available and how to utilize them can simplify the setup and significantly reduce the element count – making for a faster solution. While perhaps not a part of every simulation that you run, it is advantageous to be aware of connectors so that you can consider them and when they might be applicable to your geometry.

About the author

• Overview of connectors in Nastran
• Assigning rod connectors in a Nastran analysis
• Assigning spring connectors in a Nastran analysis
• Assigning rigid body connectors in a Nastran analysis
• Assigning bolt connectors in a Nastran analysis
• Use connectors in FEA - Quiz