Use this calculation to design and check pre-tensed bolted connections loaded with axial or tangential force. The purpose of the design calculation is to select an appropriate bolted connection after specifying the required working load. The strength calculation performs a check of bolted connection (for example, pressure in the thread and bolt stress during joint tightening and operation).
You can create and design bolted connections, and then enter them directly into the assembly.
Use the bolted connection generator to:
Use the Bolted Connection Generator perform following calculations:
Bolted Connection Generator selects fasteners from Content Center.
When designing bolted connection, use 3D grips in the graphics window to modify fasteners dimensions to speed up your design.
Bolted Connection Generator opens in the last inserted valid setting. To open Bolted Connection Generator in default installation settings, hold the CTRL key while opening bolted connection generator.
Limitations of bolted connection generator
Why I cannot design and insert bolted connection using bolted connection generator
There are several reasons why you cannot design and insert a bolted connection using the generator:
Solution: Connect to Content Center and click the Configure Content Center Libraries command to configure libraries.
Solution: Connect to Content Center and click the Configure Content Center Libraries command to configure libraries.
Solution: Use the options in the left side of the Design tab and specify the bolted connection placement.
Solution: Edit and correct the parameters of the component in Content Center.
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Insert bolted connections using linear placement option
Select linear type of placement to specify the bolted connection position by selecting two linear edges.
Insert bolted connections using concentric placement option
Select the concentric type of placement to specify bolted connection placement by selecting the circular edge or edges. Hole for bolted connection placement is inserted into the center of circle defined by circular edge.
Insert bolted connections into patterned holes
When you create patterned holes using the Autodesk Inventor Hole command as multicenter point holes, you can insert bolted connection into such patterned holes using Bolted Connection Generator. The generator recognizes that your design contains the pattern and enables an option to insert bolted connection into patterned holes.
Insert bolted connections to sketched points
If your assembly contains point created in sketch environment you can insert bolted connection to such points.
Insert bolted connection onto extruded or revolved cuts
It is also possible to insert bolted connection into holes created using Extrude and Revolve commands in part environment.
How to populate bolted connections
Selection of fasteners to the bolted connection is done on the right side of the Design tab. When you open Bolted Connection generator and select the bolted connection placement, the right side area is prepared for fasteners selection. Based on your placement, bolted connection filters the Content Center and enables you to insert fasteners.
To start populating bolted connection, click “Click to add a fastener” text in the gray field on the right side in the Design tab. When you click the text, you are connected to Content Center. Available fasteners are displayed. You can specify the Standard and Category of a fastener to narrow the selection.
Bolted connection offers you to select fasteners in logical order - bolts first, then washers and nuts. To change the fastener, select other offered category. For example, you want to insert two washers so select washer in the Category menu when nuts are displayed.
“No more fasteners” text means that it is not logical to insert another fastener to the position.
To change the fasteners in the designed bolted connection, select the fastener and click
.
Click
to open the Table dialog box. Table dialog box offers a selection of other fasteners for selected category, if possible. You can select part with other material, for example.
Insert bolted connections using custom fasteners
You can insert bolted connections using your own fasteners added to Content Center. You must author and publish your components first, and then you can insert them into the assembly using Bolted Connection Generator.
The Bolted Connection displays parts according to filter - thread type and Bolt Diameter - for example "ISO Metric profile" and "6 mm". If your part does not correspond with this filter (does not have a member with 6-mm diameter), the part will not be displayed in the bolted connection.
Use sheet metal fasteners in bolted connections
Using bolted connection generator, you can insert sheet metal nuts only.
Specify placement of bolted connection using steps previously and begin populating bolted connection. Select a bolt.
To select a sheet metal nut, click Click to add a fastener text. In the dialog box, have All options selected in the Standard drop-down menu ,and Sheet Metal Nuts in the Category drop-down menu. Click to select a sheet metal nut. A nut is inserted into the Design tab of the Bolted Connection Generator.
Finish populating bolted connection and click OK.
To change the sheet metal nut in the designed bolted connection, select the nut and click
.
Click
to open the Table dialog box. The Table dialog box offers a selection of other nuts, if possible. You can select part with other material, for example.
Add bolted connections to Templates Library
You can save the bolted connections to Templates Library.
To display the Templates Library, on the Design tab, click
More in the lower right corner.
Click Add to add the bolted connection to templates. Add command becomes available when complete geometry of bolted connection is specified.
Click Set to open the selected bolted connection template.
Click Delete to delete selected template.
In the Templates Description dialog box, set the template name, and click OK.
On Microsoft Windows XP, the bolted connection templates are saved to: Documents and Settings\%USERNAME%\Application Data\Autodesk\Inventor [ver]\DesignAccelerator\Templates.
Additional insertion of connection components
Bolted Connection Generator - Design Tab
All hole parameters (sizes, start/end plane, and so on) are specified in the Design tab.
Also, you must be connected to the Content Center where the fasteners for bolted connection are stored. If you are not connected to the Content Center, the area on the right side where you select the fasteners is grayed out.
See the Content Center Help, or Manage libraries across design workgroups Helpto learn how to use the Content Center.
Select the type of Bolted Connection. Types of holes to select from:
Defines the placement of the bolted connection.
First, select start and termination planes. This sequence defines several bolted connection parameters:
Options to specify the bolted connection position:
Linear | You specify the bolted connection placement by selecting the two linear edges. |
Concentric | You specify the bolted connection placement by selecting a circular edge. |
On Point | You specify the bolted connection placement by selecting a work point (mainly for non-hole features). |
By Hole | You specify the bolted connection placement by selecting a hole (it locks bolted connection position, direction, and maximal diameter). |
Based on the selected placement, the appropriate buttons for placement are enabled and you are prompted to specify the placement for the hole. | |
Start Plane | Select a bolted connection start plane. Start plane also defines the direction of bolted connection. |
Linear Edge 1 | Select the first linear edge referenced for dimensioning the placement of the hole. |
Linear Edge 2 | Select the second linear edge for hole placement. |
Circular Edge | Selected circular edge defines the circle, hole is drilled to the center of the circle. |
Point (s) | Bolted connection is inserted into the selected work point. Recommended when you want to place the bolt to a non-circular hole. |
Existing Hole | Bolted Connection point is calculated according to the center of the selected hole. At the same time, the maximum possible bolt diameter is restricted by the hole. |
Follow Pattern | Available only when the By Hole placement option is selected and a hole in the pattern within the graphics window is selected. You can insert into an existing pattern. |
Termination | Select an end face of the bolted connection. Start plane and Termination restrict the area where the necessary number of holes is calculated. |
Specifies all thread parameters. Selects the thread type and the diameter of a thread. Threads are read from the Threads.xls spreadsheet.
Displays the bolted connection components. Select “Click to add a fastener” to add components to the bolted connection.
When selection bolted connection fasteners you can narrow the selection. You can display fasteners according to Standard and Category.
Make sure that you have installed the appropriate libraries to Content Center. For example, you want to insert an ISO washer and you select the ISO Standard from the list but no fasteners are displayed you might have not loaded ISO library.
Also, a selected standard or category may not contain a fastener for particular selection.
Following fastener categories are available:
| Bolts | Square Head Bolts |
| Heax Head Bolts | Countersunk Bolts |
| Hex Head - Flanged Bolts | Washers |
| Socket Head Bolts | Nuts |
| Round Head Bolts | Sheet Metal Nuts |
Select the row with a fastener. Three options are available to edit the fastener:
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| For all fasteners: Displays the Table dialog box where you can select from other fastener, if available. For bolts: Hold the Alt key to open the Modify length/hole dialog box where you can change bolt length For holes: Displays the Modify length/hole dialog box where you can change hole parameters (type, designation, parameter, and so on). |
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| Deletes the component. |
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| Displays a dialog box where you can select from filtered Content Center items. You can filter the selection by specifying the standard or category. Based on your selection only the fasteners that meet the criteria are displayed. |
Displays the list of bolted connection templates.
To display the Templates Library, on the Design tab, click
More in the lower right corner.
Each new bolted connection can be created from a template. When you open the Bolted Connection Generator, click Set to apply the template to the currently designed bolted connection.
Now, templates library remembers recently used template.
Set | Applies selected template to a current content of the bolted connection. |
Add | Adds a newly designed bolted connection to the template library. |
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| Note: Add command is available when the complete geometry of bolted connection is specified, including start plane, reference, and an end plane. |
Delete | Deletes the selected bolted connection template. |
Tips:
Displays the reports about calculation. To open the Summary of Messages area at the bottom of the Calculation and Design tabs, double-click the double line at the bottom of tabs or click the chevron at the bottom of the tabs. The Message area incorporates a summary for all calculations (state and fatigue).
A graphic preview represents the selected geometry and bolted connection components. The preview is a schematic representation of a fastener. The preview includes the visibility of counterbore/countersunk hole geometry and differentiates between socket head bolts and hex head bolts.
Preview displays in the graphics window when you select first fastener in the Design tab.
Bolted Connection Generator - Calculation tab
This tab extends the Design tab. You can calculate bolted connection data based on selections in the Design tab.
Select the spring material and its properties. Click
to open the Material Database where you can select the appropriate material
Specifies or calculates the number of bolts in the bolted connection, their dimensions, material and properties (Thread Diameter, Pitch, Mean Bolt Diameter, Min. Bolt Diameter)
Displays additional options for bolted connection design. To display the More Options area, click
More in the right lower corner of the Calculation Tab.
If the boxes are checked, the diameter values are automatically inserted by the calculation. To change the values, clear the boxes.
To display the Results area on the right side of the Calculation and Design tabs, double-click the double line on the right or click the chevron.
Displays the calculated values such as Prestress Force or Thread Pressure. Click Calculate to display the values.
Following output parameters are displayed in the Results pane:
Displays the reports about calculation. To open the Summary of Messages area at the bottom of the Calculation and Design tabs, double-click the double line at the bottom of tabs or click the chevron at the bottom of the tabs. The Message area incorporates a summary for all calculations (state and fatigue).
Bolted Connection Generator - Fatigue Calculation tab
This tab extends the Design tab. You can calculate bolted connection data based on selections in the Design tab.
This area displays calculated forces and stresses in the bolt and pressure in the nut thread.
Fatigue Strength Calculation method
Use the pull-down menu to select a method that defines the fatigue curve for determining of the fatigue strength of the bolted connection. The used fatigue curve is displayed in this area.
Endurance Limit Calculation Parameters
To display the Results area on the right side of the Calculation and Design tabs, double-click the double line on the right or click the chevron.
Displays calculated forces and stresses in the bolt and pressure in the nut thread. Click Calculate to display the values
Following output parameters are displayed in the Results pane:
Displays the reports about calculation. To open the Summary of Messages area at the bottom of the Calculation and Design tabs, double-click the double line at the bottom of tabs or click the chevron at the bottom of the tabs. The Message area incorporates a summary for all calculations (state and fatigue).
Sets description of a template.
Any new bolted connection can be used as a template. Save it to the Templates Library on the hard drive, and the next time you create a new bolted connection, the new template is available.
The name of template must be unique. If you try to save the template and the name exists, you are prompted to set a different name.
With a prestressed bolted connection, the distance between materials is undesirable (due to the bad quality of surface, for example) and this safety factor is introduced to prevent it. Tightness factor k = 1 + Y (Additional tightness factor Y = 0.5 - 1.5). Recommended values for bigger bolt diameters are 1.5. Values for smaller bolt diameters are 2.5. To ignore it, set the value to 1.
This factor is used in the calculation of the prestressed force. It takes into account the position of the working load in the connected materials. To ignore force input factor, use a value of 1.
This factor is used in calculation of the working force. The size of friction force between various connected materials is taken into the account.
Thread Friction Factor, Head Friction Factor
These factors are used in the calculation of the required tightening moment. The friction force dependent on the thread material, nut/bolt material, and the connecting material is taken into account.
The Table dialog box displays list of available fasteners for bolted connection insertion for specified parameters (thread diameter, standard, category, placement).
Access: |
There are parts in your database meets the specified parameters but that vary in material, thread description, or size designation or example. These fasteners enable a fastener to be selected with specified parameters. Click a row to select a fastener. Click OK and your selection is inserted into the Design tab of bolted connection generator.
When there is only one fastener displayed, there is only one fastener within your database that meets the specified criteria (placement, thread type, diameter, Standard, Category). To select another fastener from Content Center, click
in the Design tab.
Only columns where data for fasteners vary are displayed.
You cannot edit any fastener data in this dialog box. Edit the fasteners using the Content Center editor.
Specifies hole and bolt parameters that you can change.
For bolts, you can change the length only.
For holes, you can change type, diameter, designation, and class.
The dialog box differs depending on whether the selected component is a bolt or a hole.