Assembly Proccess for Leveling Block

This is the final technical writeup for Dr. Douglas Lecorchick in the Berea College TAD 330 Class compleated by Karmadri Santiago on April 28, 2020.

Step 1: Open Inventor and Start a New Assembly

It is important that all parts you intend to have in the assembly have been made and saved.

Step 2: Place the First Part

In this scenario. the first part is the base plate. It has been designed and saved so it is now ready to be used in the assembly environment. When you select the place function, it will bring up a list of saved parts. For this assembly, you will want to select the base plate. The base plate will show up when selected and the next step is to just click anywhere on the working space and place the part there.

Step 3: Placed First Part

Here, the base plate is suspended in space and given an isometric view. This allows us to see the part and anticipate where we should place the next part.

Step 4: Place Sliding Block

Because we already have the base plate on, we can add the next part. We are going to repeat the same process from the last slide only focusing on the sliding block this time.

Step 5: Arrange in Space

Here, both of the parts are suspended in space. Before we can move on to the next step we need to make sure the parts line up with the hole for the adjusting screw.

Step 6: Lining Up the Parts

Using the free form and free float function, you can manipulate where the objects are in space to make it easier to constrain them. The software works well but isn't perfect.

Step 7: Preperation to Constrain

Here is what the screen should look like before going to constrain. With the two selected parts close to each other and lined up roughly the same.

Step 8: Contrain the Parts to Each Other

Here is what it should roughly look like once the parts have been placed in space. This step is important because it establishes where the parts should be in relation to each other. Following and selecting the same button in the window for constraining should make the parts connect. In this instance, we want to select the bottom face of the sliding block and the top face of the base plate.

Step 9: Check Model

Once the parts have been constrained, it is important to make sure the holes line up and the guides on the side. If the model is off it can cause issues further.

Step 10: Place Third Part

The lifting block is the third part added to this model and it sits on top of the sliding plate and against the vertical portion of the base plate. Follow the same steps of using the place function and suspending it anywhere in space as long as it doesn't interfere with other parts.

Step 11: Arrange Part for Constraining

Here, you can see that the part isn't facing the right direction and might be out of place for constraining. To prevent errors, use free move and free rotate to make sure the parts are in the right place.

Step 12: Free Move and Free Rotate

Here, you can see what it looks like when using free move to line up the sliding block with the main hole in the center.

Step 13: Constrain Third Part

This is similar to the first constraint process except you need to make sure that the faces selected are the ones you want resting on each other. Be sure to make sure the parts are not messed up or interacting poorly and if they are, use free rotate or free move beforehand. Doing it after can interfere with the constraint you placed.

Step 14: Visual Check

This is what it should look like when done correctly. There should be perfect symmetry and no evidence of poorly interacting parts.

Step 15: Second Visual Check

Looking at it from many different perspectives allow you to see if there were any errors made in the process and gives you a chance to correct them.

Step 16: Select Fourth and Final Part

The last part to add is the adjusting screw. Go the place function, select it from the files, and place it in a space close to the current assembly but be sure that it is not interacting with the other parts.

Step 17: Plan in Space

Once you have the part selected, it is your decision where to place it. For this example, the part will be placed just to the left of the assembly, making it easy to manipulate before placing it on the assembly.

Step 18: Decide How to Prepare for Constraining

Here, we can see the part has been placed but needs to be moved before being able to be constrained.

Step 19: Rotate

For this example, the screw needs to be rotated 90 degrees to the left looking from the top

Step 20: Join the Part to Assembly

To place the screw on the base plate and in the assembly, select the join function

Step 21: Select the Screw

For this step, make sure you select the portion of the screw that is supposed to sit in the well of the base plate to allow for free rotation. In this example, I selected the barrel and front face of the screw.

Step 22: Select Plate

For this step, continuing the join operation, select the portion of the base plate that is supposed to hold the screw in place. Make sure that whatever face and barrel you selected previously will work when placed.

Step 23: Visual Check

After the join operation, make sure all components are still placed correctly. Here, it seems that the sliding block has shifted for some reason.

Step 24: Free Move

Using free move in this step ensures that the connection with the plate will not shift by only modifying this axis. Line the holes up and proceed.

Step 25: Visual Check

Again, make sure the assembly looks complete and the parts have not shifted. Pay extra attention to any of the parts earlier on and think about what may have changed based on the work done at this point.

Step 26: File

Once the visual check is completed and the assembly seems to be ready for saving, click on the file button in the top left corner

Step 27: Save As

Save as allows the user to dictate what name and where the file is saved

Step 28: Save

This ensures that your component has been saved locally but is still in the assembly file format. If you wish to modify that, now is the time.

Step 29: Close Program

Once the job has been completed, and all files saved, you can close the program and come back to it at any time.

Step 30: Final Check

Make sure you have saved all files associated with the assembly and any modifications haven't affected the assembly. Once this is finished and the file is saved and renamed, the assembly process is completed.