Total number of pages: 310
Total Hours: 16

The Autodesk® Nastran® In-CAD 2016 Essentials training guide instructs students in the use of the Autodesk® Nastran® In-CAD software. This training guide was written using the Subscription Advantage Pack (Sept 2015 release) version of the Autodesk Nastran In-CAD software (build 2016.1.0.37). The software is a finite element analysis (FEA) tool that is embedded directly in the Autodesk® Inventor® software as an Add-In. It is powered by the Autodesk Nastran solver and offers simulation capabilities specifically tailored for designers and analysts as a tool for predicting the physical behavior of parts or assemblies under various boundary conditions. Through a practice-intensive curriculum, students acquire the knowledge needed to work in the Autodesk Nastran In-CAD environment to setup and conduct FEA analyzes.

Topics Covered:

• Activate and navigate the Autodesk Nastran In-CAD environment to conduct FEA analyzes.
• Create, edit, and assign idealizations and materials (linear and nonlinear).
• Manage the creation, setup, and modification of analyses and subcases that are used to analyze both static and dynamic models. Specific analyses types covered in this student guide include: Linear Static, Nonlinear Static, Nonlinear Transient Response, Normal Modes, Direct Frequency Response, Modal Frequency Response, Direct Transient Response, Modal Transient Response
• Create constraints with the required degrees of freedom and assign them to entities.
• Create loads that accurately represent the magnitude and location of the loads the model will experience in the working environment.
• Create Connector elements to simulate how a physical connector such as a rod, cable, spring, rigid body, or bolt will affect the model.
• Create Surface Contact elements to define contact between interacting components.
• Assign global and local mesh settings.
• Run an Autodesk Nastran In-CAD analysis.
• Review and create plots for analyzing the results.

Prerequisites: This training guide assumes that a student has Finite Element Analysis (FEA) knowledge, can interpret results. The goal is to teach a user that is new to the Autodesk Nastran In-CAD software how to navigate the interface to analyze a model.

This training guide was written using the Subscription Advantage Pack (Sept 2015) version of the Autodesk Nastran In-CAD software (build 2016.1.0.37). The user-interface and workflow will vary if using earlier versions are being used.