Autodesk and FRC 2016

[thinker&planner]

Always glad to see Autodesk's continual support.

We are thinking about switching to Fusion360 this year for FRC for a few reasons, but have a few issues with it. We want to switch because of the cloud-sharing, integrated CAM (love the waterjet CAM feature), and the direct insert from McMaster button.
My biggest concern right now is that I don't understand how to structure what are "assemblies" in Inventor. I understand that there are bodies, components, and component groups, but should I be making a new file for every part, or just every sub-assembly? It seems like Fusion is geared more towards the one-file robot, with all parts in that file. My only problem with this is that I made a, assembly (component group) and tried to export one of the pieces to make CAM for it, but it did not export correctly, and there was some messed up associations.

I would also love to have a belt/chain (pulley/sprocket) generator. Oh, and sheet metal parts.
Thanks

[inventor_phild]

Originally Posted by thinker&planner

Always glad to see Autodesk's continual support.

We are thinking about switching to Fusion360 this year for FRC for a few reasons, but have a few issues with it. We want to switch because of the cloud-sharing, integrated CAM (love the waterjet CAM feature), and the direct insert from McMaster button.
My biggest concern right now is that I don't understand how to structure what are "assemblies" in Inventor. I understand that there are bodies, components, and component groups, but should I be making a new file for every part, or just every sub-assembly? It seems like Fusion is geared more towards the one-file robot, with all parts in that file. My only problem with this is that I made a, assembly (component group) and tried to export one of the pieces to make CAM for it, but it did not export correctly, and there was some messed up associations.

I would also love to have a belt/chain (pulley/sprocket) generator. Oh, and sheet metal parts.
Thanks

I was going to mention Fusion in the next few days but your question has moved that up a bit!

I worked with an FTC team mentor on using Fusion 360 or Inventor for his team. I started by modeling the base FTC robot using Tetrix parts. All parts were uploaded into my design from Inventor. Here is the public link to the frame I modeled.

http://a360.co/1GJf9sL

A major change in Fusion this year is being able to insert a subassembly into the current design. I used this a lot. It is officially called "Distributed Designs". The frame I built is fully functional. Driving one wheel drives all wheels and gears. You cannot see that in the preview, but it is true!

Sheet metal is on the road map for next year. I have seen some folks using scripts for gears, etc. but have not followed up on that.

Email me if you want to discuss this further.

[sanddrag]

Hi Phil,

While we successfully got Inventor 2016 R3 installed through our school's IT department, which I'm assuming has some sort of educational subscription account, it looks like R3 is not available on student and educator accounts, or through the Application Manager for Inventor that was installed through a student or educator account.

If Autodesk wants people to adopt its "flagship" cloud services such as A360, it only seems natural to offer students and educators the R3 release of Inventor 2016, which includes Connected Design with A360.

Can you look into how we can go about getting R3 for home use, and get back to us?

Thanks.

[inventor_phild]

I have emailed the folks in Autodesk Education to see what can done. Should have an answer early next week.

[NatePSmith]

Hi Phil,
I am currently using inventor HSM 2016 to generate complex 3d and 2d toolpath operations. some of the cutters i am using for these toolpaths are a non-centercut type tool. Does Inventor HSM have any easy support for these types of operations to force a ramp into the material? I have been having to fudge the settings to force a ramp. If it does not, I would recommend that sort of setting as an improvement to the package. The ability to ensure any tool does not plunge into the work piece on any operation you do as a simple setting in the toolpath dialogue would be a lot simpler than what im currently doing.

Cheers
Nate Smith

[inventor_phild]

Nate,

I commented on HSM 2016 issues in a previous thread and the advice is to post to the Autodesk HSM forum since the Autodesk experts review the comments.

I will track down the link for you.

[inventor_phild]

Originally Posted by inventor_phild

Nate,

I commented on HSM 2016 issues in a previous thread and the advice is to post to the Autodesk HSM forum since the Autodesk experts review the comments.

I will track down the link for you.

Here it is.

https://camforum.autodesk.com/index.php?board=3.0