Generating Woodwork for Inventor iBox components using the Sheet Metal environment

The workflow you require when attempting to generate iBox components with sheet metal components is very similar to the standard iBox workflow but materials will need to be applied in a different format than the normal workflow.

In this example we need to create a standard shelving unit of different sizes with no ‘Joinery’ elements used:

iBox Workflow

The first step is the most important and is based on design requirements. Create the model as usual within the Autodesk Inventor Sheet metal environment however, all components will need to be generated as new bodies using the sheet metal tools. It should also be parametrically driven based on three parameters; height, width, and depth.

Note. Make sure you name these parameters as this will help identify them when authoring the iBox.

This is the same as working within the skeleton dress-up tool, but this process is completed manually in sheet metal. Also please note if you are looking to save this to the iBox library make sure you are in the iBox library project and saving it to the appropriate location.

Save the base file, again you will need to utilise this so make sure you are saving it to the appropriate location. Generate all solid bodies into parts by using the ‘Make Components’ tool, making sure you leave checked ‘Insert components in target assembly’.

Save the new assembly file and make any necessary ‘joint’ changes at this level. At this point don’t assign the material to each component.

To assign material open up each sheet metal part individually, and generate a flat pattern. This is because at the folded model level the woodwork options will be greyed out. Activate the flat pattern and assign a woodwork appearance to the flat pattern. There is a standard sheet metal material in the ‘Boards’ area.

Update and save the assembly.

Place in the original base part file and ‘ground and root’ the part. At this point, it is best practice to rename the model to @Skeleton.

Assign iMates to the assembly component (Top, Front, Left, and Right). These will need to be all ‘Flush’.

In the Manage ribbon, there is an iBox Author option. Choose this and fill out the form. The skeleton file will be the base component placed earlier.

This assembly will now be an ibox component and you can use it in any standard layout. Here is an example:

Three boxes have been generated and converted to skeleton bodies within the skeleton dress up environment. This part with the three bodies has been placed into an assembly file.

The iBox was inserted chosen from the iBox library. Save the new assembly to the appropriate location using the prompted save box. Select opposing iMates using the box layout generated.

The newly saved component with all part files saved as new components has been generated and now fit the outer perimeters of the box.

We hope you found this tip useful.

If you would like to brush up on your Woodwork for Inventor skills and make the most of its tools, explore our Woodwork for Inventor course. 

For more information on Woodwork for Inventor or any of our Autodesk Software, please contact us by emailing info@symetri.co.uk.

Author

Jason Kelly

Jason has been an Applications Engineer for over 2+ years with his expertise lying in the Manufacturing industry. He graduated from Sheffield Hallam University with a First class honours in Sports Engineering (BEng), which included CAD and design modules. Jason's knowledge broadens to products such as Inventor Professional, Vault, AutoCAD and also has experience with installations, upgrades, and licensing. He has also given talks and run training courses on Inventor add-ins such as Factory Design Utilities and Rendering & Animation.