Using and Understanding Work Axes in Autodesk Inventor Professional

Platform: Autodesk Inventor Professional

Level of difficulty: Beginners



Author: Ndianabasi Udonkang

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This is the second lesson in the series. In the first part, we talk about using and understanding work planes. This lesson will focus on the use of work axes.

Overview

These are the other lessons about work features; check them out:

• Using and Understanding Work Points in Autodesk Inventor Professional
• Using and Understanding Work Planes in Autodesk Inventor Professional
• Using and Understanding Grounded Work Points in Autodesk Inventor Professional

Work axes are construction tools used for marking the positions of centerlines, symmetry lines, or the center axes of revolved features. Work axes are also used for generating other work features – work planes or work points.

Application of Work Axes

1. For indicating centerlines on 2D and 3D sketches. Work axes can be projected on 2D sketches as centerlines for revolve features.
2. Work axes can be used for indicating the axis of revolution of circular patterns in both part and assembly modeling environment.
3. Work axes can be used for creating other work features.

Techniques for Creating Work Axes

Method 1. Creating a Work Axis Collinear with an Edge or Sketch Line

This method is used for creating a work axis that is collinear (or on the same line) with the edge of a model or a sketch line of an unconsumed sketch.

Procedure:

1. On the model environment, launch the Work Axis tool (Ribbon: Model tab > Work Features panel > Work Axis tool) or use the keyboard shortcut: “/”

1. On the graphics window, click on the edge of the model or sketch line you want the work axis to be collinear to. Note that to create a work axis that is collinear with a sketch line, there must be a visible sketch on the graphics window. To make use of a consumed sketch, go to the model browser, right-click on the name of the sketch and click “Share sketch” or turn on the visibility of the sketch. A work axis is created.

Method 2. Creating a Work Axis Parallel to a Line or Edge through a Point

This method is used for creating a work axis that is parallel to a Sketch Line or Edge and passing through a work point.

Procedure:

1. On the model environment, launch the Work Point tool (Ribbon: Model tab > Work Features panel > Work Point tool) or use the keyboard shortcut: “.”
2. On the graphics window, click on a vertex to create a work point on the vertex. A work point is created.
3. 
4. On the model environment, launch the Work Axis tool (Ribbon: Model tab > Work Features panel > Work Axis tool) or use the keyboard shortcut: “/”
5. Click on the work point created in step 2 and then on an edge of the model. A work axis passing through the work point and parallel to the edge is created.
6. 

Method 3: Creating a Work Axis passing through Two Points

This method is used for creating a work axis that passes through two work points or vertices.

Procedure:

1. On the model environment, launch the Work Axis tool (Ribbon: Model tab > Work Features panel > Work Point tool) or use the keyboard shortcut: “/”
2. On the graphics window, click on two work points or vertices you want the work axis to pass through. A work axis passing through the two specified points will be created.

Method 4. Creating a Work Axis at the Intersection of Two Planes

This method is used for creating a work axis that is coincident with the intersection of two faces or work planes.

Procedure:

1. On the model environment, launch the Work Axis tool (Ribbon: Model tab > Work Features panel > Work Point tool) or use the keyboard shortcut: “/”
2. On the graphics window, click two “intersecting” faces or work planes. A work axis will be created at the intersection between them.

Method 5. Creating a Work Axis through a Revolved Face or Feature

This method is used for creating a work axis that passes through the longitudinal axis of a cylindrical face or feature.

Procedure:

1. On the model environment, launch the Work Axis tool (Ribbon: Model tab > Work Features panel > Work Point tool) or use the keyboard shortcut: “/”
2. On the graphics window, point and click on a cylindrical face or feature. A work axis passing through the longitudinal axis of the face or feature will be created.

Method 6. Creating a Work Axis Normal to a Plane through a Point

This method is used for creating a work axis that is normal to a plane and passing through a point or vertex.

Procedure:

1. On the model environment, launch the Work Axis tool (Ribbon: Model tab > Work Features panel > Work Point tool) or use the keyboard shortcut: “/”
2. On the graphics window, click on the face or plane you want the work axis to be normal to.
3. Click on the point, work point or vertex you want the work axis to pass through. A work axis passing through the point and normal to the specified plane will be created.

Conclusion

I hope you found the tutorial useful. I will love to get comments about my writing style and content. You can email via ndianabasi.udonkang@gmail.com. Cheers.