7.5: Simulate and Size a DC Motor

The design team has asked you to verify that the motor raising the arm is capable of handling the torque applied through the gears. Using Autodesk Inventor Simulation, determine the force at the gear faces and then calculate the torque. This value is compared to the specifications of the motor supplied by VEX.

There are four videos to walk the student through the simulation and sizing of a DC Motor.   Click on each video to review the content.  Pause, rewind, fast forward, and stop features are available as the student reviews the content.  The workflow in these videos includes:

  • Creating a simplified model of the arm assembly.
  • Setting up the assembly in the Dynamic Simulation environment.
  • Running a simulation and analyzing the data.
  • Calculating the torque.

Overview

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In this video, students will review the key phases required to calculate the maximum torque on a driveshaft.  To determine the torque of a driveshaft, use the Dynamic Simulation environment. The key phases in the required workflow are reviewed in this video.

Video 1: Review the Robot Assembly and Simplified Model

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In this video, students review the existing robot assembly and create a simplified model.  To calculate the torque on the driveshaft, use the Dynamic Simulation environment. To simplify the calculation, a new assembly is created.  Start the Dynamic Simulation and review the settings.

Note - The files required for this activity must be downloaded. Please select the data set which matches the version of Autodesk Inventor will be used for this activity. Unzip these files and save them a new project folder called DC Motor.

Inventor 2011 - Imperial.zip

Inventor 2012 - Imperial.zip

Inventor 2013 - Imperial.zip

Inventor 2011 - Metric.zip

Inventor 2012 - Metric.zip

Inventor 2013 - Metric.zip

Video 2: Run the Simulation and Calculate the Torque

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In this video, students determine the torque on the driveshaft by running a simulation.  The parameters of the rolling joint are modified and the simulation is run. The results are interpreted and the maximum force is determined. Using this value, the torque is calculated, and the value is compared to the specifications supplied by VEX.

Summary

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In this video, students Review the workflow required to calculate the maximum torque on a driveshaft.  To determine the torque of a driveshaft, use the Dynamic Simulation environment. The key phases in the required workflow are reviewed in this video.

Want to try more projects based on VEX robots and other exciting challenges? Click the link to access the Autodesk Digital Steam Workshop.

www.autodesk.com/digitalsteam