The Autodesk® Nastran® In-CAD 2017 Essentials student guide instructs students in the use of the Autodesk® Nastran® In-CAD software. This student guide was written using the 2017.0.0.27 build of the Autodesk® Nastran® In-CAD 2017 software. 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 hands-on, practice-intensive curriculum, students acquire the knowledge required to work in the Autodesk Nastran In-CAD environment to setup and conduct FEA analyzes on part and assembly models.

Topics Covered

Activate and navigate the Autodesk Nastran In-CAD environment to conduct FEA analyzes. Create, edit, and assign idealizations and materials (linear, nonlinear, and composites). 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 student guide assumes that a student has Finite Element Analysis (FEA) knowledge and 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 student guide was written using the 2017.0.0.27 build of the Autodesk Nastran In-CAD 2017 software. The user-interface and workflow may vary if newer versions are being used.