Shaft Component Generator

Use the Shaft Component Generator to design the shape of a shaft, add and calculate loads and supports, and other calculation parameters. Perform a strength check and generate the shaft into the Autodesk Inventor. The shaft is assembled from single sections (cylinder, cone and polygon) including features (chamfers, fillets, neck-downs, and so on).

Use the Shaft Component Generator to:

For certain features, Shaft Generator uses data from Content Center.

Note: You must be connected to Content Center server and Content Center must be configured on your computers to insert components using Shaft Generator.

Select the following features from Content Center:

When designing shafts, use 3D grips in the graphics window to modify section dimensions to speed up your design.

Edge Features

Features which can be placed only on the shaft edge, for example: chamfers, fillets, lock nuts, threads. You can place only one feature on the shaft edge.

Middle Features

Features which can be placed on the shaft section, for example: keyways, retaining rings, notches, and so on. You can place an unlimited number of these features on a shaft section.

Position markers

Defining points on a section to which the loads and supports are positioned. Use Alt + drag to move a force or support and assign it to another position marker.

Graphical Previews

When designing shaft using Shaft Generator, the 3D graphical preview (with all sections, features, and 3D Grips) is available in the Autodesk Inventor window and 2D preview is available in the Design tab. 2D preview is optional.

When you switch to the Calculation tab, the graphical previews in the Autodesk Inventor window and in the Calculation tab changes to preview of loads and supports.

Tip: See the Engineer's Handbook for used calculation formulas for designing shafts.