Bishop Posted January 9, 2013 Posted January 9, 2013 Question, I realize that practice with Inventor and becoming proficient is what most of you recommend at the very least, but, if I want to take any formal classes, which should I take? I am not after a degree (at least not yet) but I figure I could take some classes that would help me when proving my work to employers. I have been looking around for schools offering 3D mechanical design studies, but most of them want to start you off in AutoCAD Mechanical. Isn't learning AutoCAD counter productive for the novice Inventor student? From what I hear, AutoCAD requires you to use a different mindset when drawing, does it not? My Dad is a 25+ year AutoCAD draftsman and he seems to think that Inventor is backwards and doesn't much like the workflow. Ok, so what classes should I invest in if I want to design and engineer mechanical parts and assemblies as simple as a screwdriver and up to as complicated as an 8 cylinder internal combustion motor and gearbox? I want to know properties of metals and be able to run simulations and be able to figure out how to use that data. My Inventor training has been 99% experimentation on my part. As far as formal training goes I've had a 6-hour class on FEA stuff and then the classes I took at Autodesk University this past November. Other than that, I mostly just figured things out as I went, using the help files / tutorials / internet as necessary. It's certainly possible to learn it this way, although it might take you a little longer than learning in a structured classroom environment. For myself, I learn best when I just get to go nuts pushing buttons to see what they do, but not everyone learns in the same way. There are different philosophies, of course - JD is a big proponent of formal training. (Of course, he's also a teacher, so that might make a difference. ) If you want to take classes in mechanical design, that's what I'd take classes on. Leave out the 3D side of it - take the classes that will teach you how to design / build whatever it is you want to design / build, and you'll be able to apply the information to whatever software you happen to use. Quote
f700es Posted January 9, 2013 Posted January 9, 2013 If you want to take classes in mechanical design, that's what I'd take classes on. Leave out the 3D side of it - take the classes that will teach you how to design / build whatever it is you want to design / build, and you'll be able to apply the information to whatever software you happen to use. This is why I am also for formal training. Quote
JD Mather Posted January 9, 2013 Posted January 9, 2013 There are different philosophies, of course - JD is a big proponent of formal training. (Of course, he's also a teacher, so that might make a difference. ... ....but I have learned probably 99% of what I know from forums like this. The key is I can present what I learned through years of effort like this in a much more efficient way in a classroom. Problem is, I have met very few instructors who actually know Inventor (and I spent 8 yrs out on the shop floor as a machinist before I got into this virtual world of design - so I might present the topics in a different way than most instructors). I don't agree with the "leaving the 3D side out of it". I have met a lot of very very bright theorist who can't put much of anything into application. Quote
Bishop Posted January 9, 2013 Posted January 9, 2013 ....but I have learned probably 99% of what I know from forums like this. The key is I can present what I learned through years of effort like this in a much more efficient way in a classroom. Problem is, I have met very few instructors who actually know Inventor (and I spent 8 yrs out on the shop floor as a machinist before I got into this virtual world of design - so I might present the topics in a different way than most instructors). I don't agree with the "leaving the 3D side out of it". I have met a lot of very very bright theorist who can't put much of anything into application. This is a good point, about theory vs. application. What I meant is that I'd look for a class that teaches you how to design engines, rather than one that teaches you how to design engines in Inventor. If you know what you're doing as far as designing usable, manufacturable parts, then figuring out how to make those parts with Inventor is something you can probably figure out separately, through experimentation or help from forums. I'd love to sit in on some of your classes, JD. Some of the guys I work with have taken college-level CAD classes, and they've been uniformly disappointed in the quality of the program. A semester would be 95% AutoCAD and 5% Revit / Inventor / Everything Else. Quote
tzframpton Posted January 10, 2013 Posted January 10, 2013 All good points. What's great about the message board community is that it gives the people who not only have put in years of experience into these CAD applications, but they have done it passionately. This type of interest makes certain people who are naturally gifted to do phenomenal things, and out of those certain people you have the select few who love to share their knowledge in communities such as this one. This is how I became as good as I am now. I can't take much credit for my beginning years, but after awhile I found my own passions taking over in tedious little things here and there, and eventually became a very good AutoCAD designer. My guitar project in my signature is a good example. If I would have seen the guitar modeling I'm currently working on when I was just getting started, I would have never imagined myself being able to accomplish such a task. To further build on JD's point regarding not leaving 3D behind, I wholeheartedly agree. 3D CAD designing, especially 3D parametric CAD design allows you to do two things at once. One, you create a virtual model that allows for practically error-free designs. Two, you are "free". Free from possible erroneous dimensions, or views that is the inherent reality of 2D designing. I mean, obviously it depends on what you're designing but in most cases this applies. Programs like Revit, a parametric BIM application for the building and construction industry, is so beneficial it's really hard to open up AutoCAD for building design. I still love AutoCAD but my architectural, structural and MEP designing days are pretty much done with, to be honest. My $0.02 as always. Quote
Happy_Camper Posted January 11, 2013 Posted January 11, 2013 I spent 8 yrs out on the shop floor as a machinist before I got into this virtual world of design. This is me pretty much but i still love to hit the tools whenever i get the chance. Do you still get on the machines from time to time? I'm a fitter/turner by trade. Quote
JD Mather Posted January 11, 2013 Posted January 11, 2013 ... Do you still get on the machines from time to time?.... Not any more. I used to teach manual and CNC programming and machining. Had a small mill in my basement. Gave all that up when I moved to my current position. There are times when I sure wish I had a small lathe and mill, maybe a surface grinder.... I can walk across campus and get access, but everyone guards their turf.... Quote
Happy_Camper Posted January 11, 2013 Posted January 11, 2013 I did a bit of programming but spent most of my time on a lathe and mill. I out source my work these days but still have a workshop so if i need something made in a hurry i can spin it up quick. Yeah I'm very protective of my equipment but mainly because i don't want anyone getting hurt. We have a few people at work that think they know how to work a lathe but they have no idea about feed and turning speeds and tooling. I go way back when all tooling was HHS and using surface grinders Quote
Wooden Iris Posted January 12, 2013 Author Posted January 12, 2013 (and I spent 8 yrs out on the shop floor as a machinist before I got into this virtual world of design - so I might present the topics in a different way than most instructors). I have only spent 1.5 years in a machine shop, Manual and CNC, and I believe that my experience on the "shop floor" will help me in the future designing parts with tooling in mind. I want to be a CAD drafter/designer but I could never stop tinkering with a lathe, mill, and 3D printer. I do not have my own, yet, but I will as soon as I can afford it. I'm looking to be a bit more competitive in the entry level market for mechanical drafter/designer. I only have some experience with Inventor but I am quite capable with it considering my limited amount of time with it. I am a novice and I know I have a long road ahead of me, but what certs or classes should I take to help get me a job the quickest. I was looking at the coursework that a ME needs to take and was wondering which of those I should take independently to help me out. The Army pays for my classes so it's not a matter of cost. My source is Mechanical Engineer. Quote
JD Mather Posted January 12, 2013 Posted January 12, 2013 As far as Inventor certification https://autodesk.starttest.com/ Quote
Happy_Camper Posted January 12, 2013 Posted January 12, 2013 (edited) My work has put in the budget this year to upgrade me from Inventor professional 2012 to 2013. I've only had 2012 for 8 months. Would like to see the money used on a new slotting machine as i plan to spend more time in the workshop this year. Most of my sketches are only for sheet metal laser/plasma/waterjet cutting and folding. I can't wait to try out the new version of Jetcam, anyone here used it before? Edited January 12, 2013 by Happy_Camper Quote
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