designing+by+doodling+-+onto+autocad

Once the design and dimensions for the object are decided we can then move onto autocad - in this case [|autodesk inventor] 11, i realised straight away the need for accuracy when generating the various components so that they could be joined together and with this in mind i first produced a complete side elevation sketch incorporating all component parts which i then saved - all subsequent individual parts would then start with this drawing and any redundant lines removed using the trim tool. The pizza cutter consists of 6 parts - the main handle, auxilliary handle, handguard, pivot plate, pivot pin and the blade. When all these parts were rendered 3d and assembled i could tumble the image on screen and quickly identify any areas that need adjusting for fit and can also see beforehand any areas where special care is needed at the manufacturing stage - for instance it was decided that the main handle top face should be left with square ends until such time as the ball handle could be trial fitted and scribed around for optimum fit. Also at this stage the parts can be individually rendered using the built in surface simulations to give some idea of colour combinations that may or may not work (the image can also be used as reference for shading with a view to producing hand rendered pictures for a presentation) and can also be printed directly or exported elsewhere for computer aided manufacture (CAM). Hand rendering next - | - previous - | - home
 * Creating 2d and 3d drawings with inventor 11**