Living the Future of Making, and Learning Things

About two years ago, I decided to return to school in the evenings and began taking Aircraft Maintenance Classes at Mount San Antonio College.

The practical, hands on nature is at times stressful and frustration, but most of all, inspiring and rewarding.

I realized that I miss having "dirty hands".  It's also teaching me to be a better designer.  After installing mounting bolts purely by feel, I look at Inventor 3D models in a renewed light of practicality.

The best way to learn how a jet engine's fan is assembled?
Take a wrench and take one apart!

  

It's been nearly 20 years since I've taken classes that contain a heavy theory component, in addition to labs.  I'm amazed that in many ways, college hasn't changed.  But moreover, I'm impressed at how much has truly changed. 

The Internet.  AKA the "cloud" has found away to change how I'm learning with a device nearly all of us carry around now. 

A connected smart device.

The new window to learning.

My homework is no longer written out in long hours spent at a desk.  I keep them safe and sound with Google Docs.  I can even have them archived for years to come!

My homework, online in the cloud instead of on paper. 

I've sat on a patio enjoying lunch, and thought, why don't I answer a couple of homework questions?  

No looking for a book, no wishing I had brought a pen.  I just pull out my smart phone, and start working. 

When I wanted to get more practice building and understanding electric circuits, I was able to find a cloud based simulator that allowed me to build circuits at test them even when I don't have access to the lab with it's physical simulators.

The physical electric circuit simulator with a digital multimeter on top.

I showed it to a few of my fellow students, and I was met with various forms of the phrase "Where did you find that?!?"

Relay Activated Transistor switch - EveryCircuit

Cloud based applications, and connected devices are giving me a competitive advantage in improving myself.  Most of all, it's doing it right now, in my every day life. 

It left me realizing one thing.  The Future of Making Things may not be revolutionary.  It's happening every day, all around us.

It's not necessarily about making things.  It's about how we interact with the information we use to make things.

It's not a revolution.   It's an evolution.  

And it's not the future.  It's here, now, in an evolving information age.. 

I bet your using it, and don't even know it! 

Remove Unwanted AutoCAD Links when importing into Autodesk Vault

One of the biggest challenges when trying to get data loaded into Autodesk Vault are dealing with missing links.

They can't be loaded into Vault while broken, and resolving them can be difficult when the associated files may have been long lost to antiquity. 

One thing I see a lot of, is the notorious "lost logo image".  These are images linked into a drawing, many times these are nothing more than image files representing the logo for a company. 

I've seen many, many times! 

They were linked into these drawings at some point, but during some part of their lives, the original image files were lost.  The links were never repaired, because it wasn't a big issue before Vault came along.

In my example, I've created several AutoCAD files representing that exact condition.  Company logos that have been lost.  

If you try to push them through Autoloader stands in the path and like Gandalf the Gray shouts "You shall not pass!".  

Broken links  We never want to see these in Autoloader, but often do. 

You can't push them in through Autoloader, so now you're now stuck.  Fixing the files manually can be a daunting task.  So what options are there? 

I have one trick I can offer, and while far from an all encompassing solution, it can ease the pain a bit if you have a lot of AutoCAD files that have the "linked logo" problem. 

First, it's very important that the files meet the following criteria. 

The only link that exists in the file, is the link you want removed.  

That's it, the biggest consideration. But it's a doozy.  The method I'm about to show you will break every single link your file has.  That includes external references in AutoCAD as well as Inventor parts, assemblies, drawings, and presentations.

So make sure the links in the files are links you want broken! 

I'm going to show you how to do something Vault tries very hard to talk you out of.  But if you're crazy enough to try it, it's crazy enough to work. 

So here it goes. 

Log in as the Vault Administrator. Go to the Tools>Administration>Vault Settings, and on the Files tab, uncheck "Disable Check In of Design Files".  

Time t work without a net! 

You've just turned off the safety switch!  This allows you to drag and drop files into Vault.  

But now, take the files with the unwanted links, and drag them into a Vault folder. 

Dragging the files into Vault

The standard Vault Check In dialog box appears.  Enter a comment, and adjust any settings you want, and hit OK. 

The standard check in dialog box.

A warning appears advising you that any depending relationships, meaning file links, will be lost.  But the only links here, are one's we need to get rid of.   

Now the warning that links will be lost.  This time, this is what we're after. 

So shave your head, put on your best accent, and say, "Engage". 

The files will checked in.  In the meantime, Vault will be stripping away the links to the unwanted images. 

The files are getting checked in. 

Once the files are checked in, the "Used" functionality can be used to show that the links are all gone. 

Now, before you do anything else, turn the Disable Check In of Design Files back on! You don't want just anyone trying this, that is unless you want herd of files with broken links roaming free in your Vault! 

In this case, this functionality becomes a filter that cleans out the unwanted links, and while it may not be something that can be used when links you want to keep do exist, it can still help get important files into Vault.  

So keep this in mind when you need to add some files into Vault.  The next time there are a bunch of files with "lost logos", you can be the CAD guy who says "I know a trick..." 

Learning Electricity with EveryCircuit - The Future of Making Things

A few days ago I posted about how I'm taking a class in electricity at Mount San Antonio College as part of my slow journey through the aircraft maintenance program.

After two weeks, it's been a challenge, but it's also been very rewarding as I've studied and applied my knowledge both in the classroom, and in the lab.

The physical simulator in the lab.  It's a great learning tool, but it's not very mobile.

Part my goal in getting as much as I can out of the class was looking for tool to help me study and learn circuits.  I really only wanted to meet three goals. 

I wanted it to:

1. Be mobile.
2. Be able to run simulations.
3. Be inexpensive.

The first place I started looking was at mobile apps.  I didn't think I would get all three of my bullets.  That was my best hope of meeting as many of my requirements as possible. 

It took me only a few minutes to find an app called EveryCircuit, and it hit all three bullets. 

It runs on Android and Apple devices, as well as in the Chrome browser, so I could have it anywhere I had one of my mobile devices.

Practice Relay Circuit - EveryCircuit

A relay circuit I created in EveryCircuit.
Much more mobile the physical simulator! 

It has functions I could use to "quiz" myself., I can place voltmeters, ammeters, and ohmmeters into my circuits, mimicking functions I'm required to perform in class.

It also has a community where I can get additional circuits that I can use as tools to make myself better.

And all at the price of 1 U.S. Dollar per month.  A year can be purchased for 10 U.S. Dollars.  I've spent more on lattes in a week!

I haven't finished the trial period yet, but I'll be making a purchase.  It's already helped me immensely, and I can see where it will keep helping me.

If you design electric circuits, I'd suggest taking a look at this program too.

So here it is.  The Future of Making Things taking a hand in my life.

And why?  Just look at the connectivity coupled with mobility.

The app is accessible on my mobile devices.  I can also save circuits to the cloud, and access my circuits on any one of my devices.  With the Chrome extension, I can even get to my circuits on any computer that has Chrome.

Think of it as Gmail for circuits!

It's data shared via the cloud.   It's shared between devices, and it can be shared in a community at large.  It's increasing the accessibility to information.

An example of some of the circuits shared by the community.
There are examples from all over the world!

And this is just one portion of the Future of Making Things.

And speaking of that, I'll be attending the  Future of Making Things Roadshow at the Los Angeles Science Center with a new perspective, and excitement, based on my experience with EveryCircuit's capabilities.

I'd encourage all of you out there to seek out events in your area, and attend them if your able.  If you can't, keep an eye out on how mobility, and accessibility is changing how we make things now.

To quote William Shakespeare, "What's past is prologue, what to come, in yours and my discharge".

Expanding My Comfort Zone by Facing My Old Foe - Electric Circuits

This post is a little different from my usual posts. It's not about software, it's about a lesson I learned that to my surprise, applies to my software world.

It's about how I had to revisit an old nemesis of mine.  The Professor Moriarty to my Sherlock Holmes....  The Joker to my Batman....

The name of that nemesis is "Electric Circuits".

Circuits.... My old adversary... We meet again.

When I was earning my engineering degree way back during the last century (the 1990s to be specific), I was required to take a class in electric circuits.

I passed it adequately. If my memory is good, I think I got a B.  But I hated that class.  I remember complaining and grumbling through the whole class.

I'm embarrassed to admit that I often said "I don't do electricity", or "I don't want to be an electrical engineer".

I think I still owe an apology and a strong drink to my lab partners in that class for putting up with me!

To my lab partners.  I owe you a few of these! 

In the last few years, I've felt the compulsion to return to the technical, "hands on" side of my profession.  To put my mouse down and pursue a passion to get my hands dirty again.

This desire has manifested in the form of taking aircraft maintenance classes at the local community college.  And the experience has been rewarding.  It's made me a better designer, and has re-stoked my passion for my trade.

But this summer, I've faced against my old nemesis again.

I'm currently taking a course in electric circuits.

The relay...  I remember you...

I started out nervous and intimidated.  I thought about taking the summer off and taking the class later.

But eventually, I found myself sitting in class with my notebook and calculator at the ready, repeating "I think I can" over and over again.

I told myself not to let electric circuits intimidate me.

I will not be cowed by this electrified panel of "nope"!

As class started, I came to realize that it isn't so bad.  Naturally, there are challenges as I relearn amperage is constant and voltage varies in a series circuit, while conversely, voltage is constant and amperage varies in a parallel circuit.

And then there are series-parallel circuits that are combinations of both circuits that must be simplified into their basic components before you can completely solve them.

It hasn't been a walk in the metaphorical park though.  I've cursed myself for making basic mistakes in arithmetic.  But instead  of grumbling about how I'm not "an electrical guy", I've stuck it out and told myself "take your time and step through the circuit".  I've built relay circuits doesn't of times in the lab, using that repetition to understand what the circuit is doing.

And what did I find happened?  I started to understanding it!  I started looking at a circuit, and building it up on the simulator, and it made sense!

After that particular class session, I came home at 11PM, and sat down for a moment to wind down.  I felt energized. I was learning circuits! I was understanding circuits!  I could even explain a basic circuit to someone else.

I was befriending my nemesis!

There's a circuit breaker, and relay integrated in this circuit.
And they all worked to turn on the blue light! 

And now I'm actually looking forward to going back to class!

I had to asked myself, "Why was this so hard back when I was in college?  What changed?"

The only answer I could come up with was "I changed".

But what changed?  I'm two decades older.  I've gained a few pounds.  I've lost more than a few hairs.  Naturally, I'm also wiser and more mature.

That begs another question, "So what?"  What does this lesson that I've learned matter to the world at large?

Time and time again, I've seen this reflected in the extended technological world.  That user who stubbornly sticks to old software like a drowning man clinging to his suitcase full of his worldly possessions.  The engineering manager who proudly proclaims, "I'm not going to change what has worked since I was a designer!"  Or that CAD Manager who says "I looked at that technology five years ago.  I didn't like it then, I don't need to look at it now!"

Upgrade?  But I upgraded in 1986?!?!?

Are these users wrong?  Perhaps. Perhaps not.

It's not about making changes.  Change isn't always a good thing.  But staying safe and sound with the known can be just as costly reaching to far and coming up short.

It's about being willing to make the right changes.

Technology is changing fast.  The best of us have to aspire to be open to it, look at it positively and objectively.  We shouldn't embrace it blindly, but we also shouldn't shun it because "that's not important right now".

The Future of Making Things is like a wave.  Learn to ride it, and it will carry you far.

Step one?  Just be open to what the future has to offer.

Photo Credits:

photo credit: Opening Day 2007 - Astros via photopin (license)

photo credit: Geography Department, 1986 via photopin (license)

The Future of Making Things Roadshow at the California Science Center

Recently, I overheard an experienced designer say, " Design projects are like walking in fog.  You can only see a few steps ahead, but you have to take those steps to see what steps to take after that."

The fog of design

That fairly simple phrase stuck with me.  Design requirements change, customer requirements change, new information reveals itself.  Many times, this happens right in the middle of the design project.

These changes often come at the torment of the designers as they're faced with accommodating those changes.  These changes may not have even been considered during the initial concept phase.

As much as we as designers sigh, and then take a long walk in the parking lot saying things our mothers would be ashamed of, these changes will continue to come.  It's simply a part of the design process.

Flexibility is the key to counter the design change.  Designers must be ready to move quickly when the need to change direction comes.

Not all design changes can be foreseen,  but good designers can adapt.

Fortunately for frazzled and frustrated designers everywhere, new tools are emerging all the time to help navigate the changing topography of the design world.

But this begs a new questions.  What tools are out there?  Which tools are right for me?  Once I answer the first two questions, how do I implement the tools I've chosen?

Additive Manufacturing, or 3D printing, is one way manufacturing is changing.

If you're in the Los Angeles area July 21st, join KETIV and Autodesk for the The Future Of Making Things roadshow at the California Science Center.

You'll have the opportunity to learn about how:

1. Cloud and mobile applications are changing how products are manufactured.
2. How new manufacturing technologies and techniques, like 3D Printing and crowd sourcing, allow "customization for the masses" and speed improving of those products. 
3. Connected smart devices are changing how we use and interact with things.

During this event, hear from the keynote speaker, Andrew Anagnost, Ph.D., Senior VP of Autodesk for Industry Strategy and Marketing. As a leader at Autodesk, he is responsible for acquiring and developing the software tools that take advantage of these trends. 

As part of this initiative, he is leading the shift away from Perpetual to Term-based, Desktop Subscription licensing. He also realizes the importance of an integrated product development strategy so that teams can collaboratively and efficiently develop a concept successfully.

After lunch, enjoy the California Science Center, and find a little inspiration about the Future of Making things.

Sign up here!  I hope to see you there!

Jon Landeros

Acknowledgements:

photo credit: Fog! via photopin (license)

"Convair NC-131H TIFS lifting off" by U.S. Air Force photo/Ben Strasser - http://www.af.mil/shared/media/photodb/photos/081107-F-5381S-450.jpg. Licensed under Public Domain via Wikimedia Commons.

Updating Custom Content to Autodesk Inventor 2016 from a Previous Version

If you've created your own content in Inventors content center, you'll have to update it when you move to your next version of Inventor.  Fortunately, this isn't really that difficult, but it's good to know the steps.

So in the interest of sharing, here are the steps that I used to update my own content center from Inventor 2015 to Inventor 2016.

In my setup, I'm using Desktop Content Libraries, which means they're not stored in Vault   These libraries are databases stored on my local drive.  These steps are particular to that setup. 

Also, I've already copied the files to their new locations.  So really all that's left to do is update the libraries.  This will make sure they're ready to be used by Inventor 2016.

Without further delay here's how I did it.  I hope this can help you too! 

Before anything, there's that little thing about having a backup.  Custom content can mean hours of work that's been collected over the years.  Do you want to lose that?  It's worth a few minutes to make a backup.

I've never lost content during an update.  But there's no reason to tempt fate.  

The first step is to open up Inventor, and on the Get Started tab, choose Projects.  

Starting up your project

When the projects screen opens, make sure the project your working with is active, and click on the Configure Libraries icon. 

This shows the libraries available to the project.  Any libraries that require migration have an exclamation point icon next to them. 

Only one library needs migrating

To start the process, click the Update icon. 

The update button means go! 

Next, Inventor is going to ask you if you've made a backup.  If you haven't, this is your second, and last chance.  

Once you've made that backup, click next, and go to the next step.  Inventor will ask which libraries you'd like to update.  In my case, I only have one.  So that makes my job easy. 

After the update is done, You'll see a confirmation screen, Inventor will ask you if you want to create a log, if you'd like.  

After this, you're library is updated, and it's ready to start using.

No exclamation point.  It's ready to use!

Refreshing Current Content

This is great for new content that you're going to place, but what about older assemblies that have content from your previous versions?

There's a solution for that too. 

When you have an assembly that contains older content, go to the Manage tab, and look for the Refresh button on the Content Center panel. 

Refreshing content. 

A dialog box appears showing you which content is out of date.  Clicking the Refresh button will update any content in the assembly.  

Refreshing the Content

After a short update, the content will show that things have been successful.  

Congratulations, this content is updated! 

And on a couple of final thoughts, you can also update content via Inventor's Task Scheduler.  This let's you update several assemblies at once! 

Updating via Task Scheduler 

Another alternate, although I haven't used this one much personally, is to go into Application Options, and select Refresh out-of-date Standard parts on Placement.  Checking the box will refresh content as it's placed. 

Out-of-date content can be updated as it's placed.  

Use one, or use them in conjunction!  Either way, these all are here to help you make sure your content is up to date! 

Creating a Rivet Hole Chart in Autodesk Inventor.

In my adventures taking aircraft maintenance classes at Mount San Antonio College, I've learned a lot of things.  Not the least of which, is how much I have to learn!

Another piece of knowledge I'm grateful for, is how to drive and set solid rivets.  I'm not the best at it, but I can do it, and practice will make me better.

A sample rivet plate

One thing about riveting has been indelibly etched in my brain.  Rivets require precise holes to be properly fitted.  So much so, that a rivet is often referred to by the drill used to make the hole it fits in. 

For example, a "30" rivet is a 1/8 diameter rivet, and  uses a #30 drill for it's pilot.  A "40" rivet is 3/32 in diameter, and uses a #40 drill for it's pilot.  

A sample of the hole size for standard Imperial Rivets.
From EngineersEdge

If you're inclined to read about it in detail, you can find the specs at Engineer's Edge here, or in the Advisory Circular AC43.13 from the FAA here (start at page 4-14)

Merging that knowledge with my Autodesk Inventor knowledge, I found myself thinking, "How can I capture that knowledge?". 

My thoughts turned to the clearance hole table, which is maintained by an Excel file named Clearance.xls, can contain the new information I wanted to add.

I thought I'd share the steps I used for adding these holes.  Perhaps this is something you can use to adapt your own special clearance holes.

There are two types of clearance holes, the universal rivet, and countersunk rivet.  Basically, that means I need a countersunk hole, and a straight hole. I won't be using counterbores for rivets.

Universal Head Rivet
From Aircraft Spruce

A countersunk rivet
From Aircraft Spruce

So let's get started.

The first step?  Close Inventor.  This will make sure that when you place a hole, you're reading in the latest clearance table.  I also ran into errors when I tried placing holes with the clearance table open.  Something to do with Excel locking the file.

Locate the clearance.xls file.  It's location can vary, but it's set either in the Design Data location in Application Options, or Design Data in the Project.  Remember that if the path is set in the Project file, it will take precedence over the Application Option setting.

The Design Data location set in Application Options. 

The Design Data location set in the project. 

When you find the location, look for the ...Design Data\XLS\en-US sub directory.  It will have the Clearance.xls file you're looking for.

Before doing anything else, make backup of the original Clearance.xls file.  Just in case it gets go horribly wrong, the backup provides a safe haven to go back to and try again.

The location for Clearance.xls.  Notice I've also got a backup Clearance.orig.xls

Next, it's time to edit the Clearance.xls file and add in the new values.

Looking at the sheet, there are several columns, and it goes without saying that each does something. Some will be more obvious than others.

A sample of one of the charts in the Clearance.xls chart.

From left to right, here they are.

1. Fastener Type - This is a description of what type of fastener you're using the hole for.  This is the value you select in the hole dialog box. 
2. Size - This can be called the "nominal' name for the clearance hole.  In other words, if you're describing this fastener or clearance "in the shop" what are you asking for?
3. Shaft Diameters - This includes diameters for Loose, Normal, and Close fits.  Very typical diameters for many fasteners. 
4. Head Dimensions - This is broken down in to three columns that require clarification on their own. 
1. Diameter - The diameter to accommodate a fastener's head. 
2. Depth/Angle - This is the depth required to clear the head, or if a countersunk fastener, the angle of the head. 
3. Head Type - What type of fastener this is.  The number "2" designates a countersunk head.  A "1" designates a 'standard" head. 

Armed with that knowledge, it's time to setting things up!

The easiest thing I found to do is copy one of the existing sheets.  It can serve as a template to create the new table.

Copying the Excel table

So now the table is copied, we understand what the columns do.  It's time to start editing.

Most of this is just taking the values from the standards and copying them into the tables. But I am going to use a couple of tricks to get the table to do what I want.

For starters, rivets don't have close, normal, or loose fits, there's really just one proper nominal dimension.  So I'm going to set the the values to close, normal, and loose to the same thing.  That way, no matter which the end user chooses, they get the right one.

Also, I'm not using counterbores with my universal rivets. In order to make that "unselectable", I'm going to set the counterbore diameter to be smaller than the shaft diameter.

Making the counterbore diameter smaller than the shaft diameter will force the counterbore to "error out" if someone tries to use it.  It's not fancy, I know, but it will work.   I can always change it later too!

My creation. The rivet clearance chart for Inventor

That's the big part, but now there's a couple of more details left.

I'm going to set the "Sort Order" to make sure that the tab appears where I want it.  This affects the order in which the table appears in the hole dialog box.  Just like the name describes, 1 is first, 2 is second, etcetera, etcetera.  (A guy with my haircut has to use that reference!)

I'll also rename the sheet to something meaningful to someone using it.  You know, like "Rivet Clearance".  It took me a while to come up with that one!  (sarcastic grin).

Changing the Sort Order, and renaming the table.

Once this is done, fire up Inventor, and test out your new table of date!  Now you're ready to go!  You can see where the Table Name, Fastener Type, and Size appear in the hole dialog box.

Placing the Rivet.  Notice how the names (circled) correspond to the Clearance.xls table.

Now, it's time to "serve and enjoy" your new chart.  And don't forget to make a backup of this data too!  There's nothing worse than doing it twice.

Even if you can't use it for rivets, perhaps you can adapt this for something else!

A Guest Post! Configure Open File Behaviors - New in Autodesk Vault 2016

So much has been added in the 2016 Autodesk releases, it's hard to keep track of them all.

That's where a great team comes into play.  I'm happy to share this post by Jonathan Kriek of KETIV  This post originally appeared on the KETIV blog, Side Note.

In this post, he discusses the Open File Behavior that's been added to Autodesk Vault 2016.  I'm looking forward to checking this one out myself!

So without further delay, here you go!

Configure Open File Behaviors - New in Autodesk Vault 2016
By Jonathan Kriek

A fair amount of users most likely have more than a couple versions of AutoCAD and/or Inventor installed on their system. This may be due to testing the latest version, while production requires the previous or having other business system requirements that force them to retain an older version.

My reasons are simple - providing all inclusive support to our customers by being able to troubleshoot multiple versions simultaneously. But regardless of why the fact remains that by default until now Autodesk Vault used MS Windows settings for determining which [version of a] program to open for a given file type (except 2015R2 for subscription customers which includes some early 2016 functionality).

Autodesk Vault 2016 now gives you greater flexibility in choosing which version of your Autodesk software to open.

What Autodesk software and file types are supported?

Currently "Open File Behaviors" support the following Autodesk software and file types:

• Autodesk Inventor
• IPT, IAM, IPN, and IDW
• Autodesk AutoCAD
• DWG and DXF
• Autodesk Revit
• RVT, RFA, and RTE

How do I access Open File Behaviors settings?

In the Vault Client, select Tools > Options.
Next to Open file behavior settings click "Settings".

Open File Behavior configuration options

Depending on the CAD application, you can determine whether CAD files are opened by the latest version, the last run version, or the version of the CAD Application that last saved the file.

• Last Run Version (Inventor Only):
• This option will open the CAD file with the last used version of the CAD application.
• Latest Version (AutoCAD and Revit Only):
• This option will open the CAD file with the newest version of the CAD application installed.
• Saved by Version (AutoCAD and Revit Only):
• This option will open the CAD file with the version of the CAD application that was last used to save the file.
• Default
• This option uses the current settings in Vault for opening a specified CAD file.
• Autodesk Inventor files are opened with the default application specified by Windows.
• AutoCAD files are opened with the latest version of Autodesk AutoCAD installed.
• Revit files are opened with the latest version of Autodesk Revit installed.

Example scenarios

These settings are pretty straightforward and not all options are available for each CAD application, but let's take a look at a few examples.

If Revit 2015 and Revit 2016 are both installed on your machine, and you want files that were saved in RVT 2015 to always open with RVT 2016, you can configure Vault to always launch Revit 2016 for all .RVT, .RFA, and .RTE files by choosing "Latest Version".

If AutoCAD 2014 and AutoCAD 2015 are both installed on your machine, and you want files that were saved in ACAD 2015 to open with ACAD 2015, and files saved in ACAD 2014 to open with ACAD 2014, you can configure Vault to always launch the "Saved by Version" of AutoCAD for all .dwg and .dxf files.

Final Thoughts

The Open File behavior finally applies some adaptability to the process of opening files and determining whether CAD files are opened by the latest version, the last run version, or the version of the CAD Application that last saved the file. I hope you found this article and the new Vault 2016 Open File functionality useful!

Jonathan Kriek