SOLIDWORKS: Introduction To Finite Element Analysis (FEA)

Apply SolidWorks finite element analysis by defining load sections, fixtures, and a guided mesh; evaluate stress, displacement, and strain to decide if the design is overbuilt or needs material changes.

Enable the SolidWorks simulation add-in and display the simulation tab, then adjust default and system options, and set the unit system to millimeters with pressure in newtons per meter squared.

Prepare geometry for finite element analysis by creating loads and fixtures with split lines, defining regions for force, bearing, and pressure, and establishing a coordinate system.

Learn to perform a static finite element analysis in SolidWorks Simulation, calculating displacement, strain, and stresses under external loads, with fixture, load, and mesh definitions guided by study advisor.

Define material for static analysis by selecting isotropic or orthotropic linear elastic materials, apply alloy steel to the model, and review elastic modulus, Poisson's ratio, density, and yield strength.

Define fixtures to fix parts in finite element models, reducing six degrees of freedom to equilibrium; cover fixed geometry, roller slider, fixed hinge, elastic support, bearing fixture, foundation bolts.

Define and apply loads in solid models by adding force, bearing load, and pressure under external loads, exploring structural versus thermal loads and directional, unit, and distribution settings.

Learn how to create and optimize meshes for finite element analysis in SolidWorks, balancing element size and shape, focusing on high-stress regions, and simplifying features to improve accuracy.

Create a standard mesh by adjusting global element size and tolerance, then assess aspect ratio and jacobian to ensure quality; enable automatic transition for finer detail at small features.

Use curvature based mesh to refine elements where surface curvature occurs, but it affects all curved surfaces and fillets; adjusting element sizes and circle element counts tests stability and distortion.

Apply mesh control to local regions where you expect the highest stresses to create a finer mesh with smaller elements, balancing element count and shape to reduce maximum aspect ratio.

Run the simulation after meshing, view stress, displacement, and strain, and use the factor of safety chart to compare against yield strength, then adjust material or mesh to improve safety.

Modify geometry by adding material with sketches and a 3 mm extrusion, then re-mesh and re-run to raise the minimum factor of safety above 3.

Examine chart plots of stress, displacement, strain, and factor of safety to identify load-bearing regions and how design changes affect them, with study advisor animations.

List and plot analysis results to compare stress, displacement, and strain in SolidWorks FEA. Choose nodes or element center stresses, apply extremes or ranges, and generate plots and reports.

Compare finite element results in SolidWorks, including stress, displacement, strain, and factor of safety across solid bodies and configurations using design insight and mesh quality metrics such as aspect ratio.

Set up three separate load cases in SolidWorks FEA to isolate force, pressure, and bearing loads; compare factor of safety and stress, then use load case manager for efficiency.

Learn to use the load case manager in finite element analysis to create primary load cases, build combinations, and monitor stress, bearing loads, and factor of safety in one run.

Encourage students to leave an honest review to help other learners decide to join this SOLIDWORKS FEA course, with the option to update feedback after completion.

Apply planar symmetry to model half or quarter of a structure in finite element analysis, using a symmetry plane and restraints on cut sides to save time and memory.

leverage half-model symmetry in SolidWorks by using intersect and split line to create half geometry for finite element analysis, and define bearing load, pressure, fixtures, and a local coordinate system.

Define a planar symmetry static study in SolidWorks, assign alloy steel, apply symmetry restraint and fixed geometry, apply half forces and pressure, set bearing load, and generate the mesh.

Create and compare SOLIDWORKS element meshes by adjusting element size and global size, reducing nodes from 18,000 to 9,000 while maintaining a 4.7 aspect ratio and evaluating accuracy versus time.

Run a finer mesh in SolidWorks FEA to compare results, showing higher factor of safety 2.4 versus 2.16 and demonstrating improved stress, displacement, and strain accuracy with symmetry-based half-model analysis.

Learn to analyze objects with circular symmetry by modeling a single wedge segment, applying symmetry restraints, and comparing segment results to the full wheel in static analysis.

Set up a static analysis in SolidWorks using gray cast iron, fixed shaft fixtures, and cyclic symmetry; apply five megapascals, generate curvature-based mesh, and review stress and factor of safety.

Compare whole-model versus segmented-model finite element analyses to show differences in mesh size and node count, run time, and factor of safety, and demonstrate time and memory savings from segmentation.

Explore the four finite element types—solid, shell, beam, and mixed meshes—and learn how geometry and analysis goals guide selecting appropriate meshes for accurate static simulations.

Identify when to treat a solid as a shell and compare thin vs thick plate formulations for shell finite elements, perform static analysis with surface and sheet metal CAD workflows.

Create a shell surface model in SolidWorks by forming three planar surface bodies on the top, front, and right planes, using 15 mm offsets and 10 mm diameter circles.

Create a surface static study in SolidWorks simulation, assign alloy steel, define four millimeter shell thickness, apply welds and fixtures, and use curvature-based meshing to analyze membrane and bending stresses.

In finite element analysis, modeling a shell with surface tools triggers automatic shell recognition and element definition. Define thickness, thick or thin formulation, displacement offset, and edge connections.

Explore sheet metal in SolidWorks FEA by creating a shell from solid parts or directly as a sheet metal part, with automatic thickness extraction and shell mesh.

Compare sheet metal versus surface CAD models in a static FEA of a shell body, showing how edge radii and welded edges influence stress, displacement, and factor of safety.

Explore static analysis of frame bodies using shell, beam, and truss elements, distinguishing when 1D elements suffice from solid elements for efficient, accurate results.

Use weldment tools to create two sketches on the front and right planes, define structural members as ISO square tube 3030 2.6, and apply coordinate treatment with mirroring for truss.

Conduct a static analysis of a 3D frame using truss elements, assign 1060 alloy material, set joints, fixtures, and loads, and generate a one element per body mesh.

Set up the truss geometry with extruded boss tools, convert solid bodies to a beam, define joints and fixtures, apply aluminium 1060, and create a static mesh.

Learn to distinguish beam elements from truss elements in finite element analysis: beams carry axial, bending, and torsion with variable cross sections, while trusses carry only axial loads.

Explore configuring SolidWorks simulation for finite element analysis by treating bodies as beam or truss, determine truss eligibility by length ratio, and compare beam versus truss meshing.

Learn to run an FEA study in SolidWorks, inspect axial, bending, torsional, and shear stresses, beam forces, and reaction results, and generate factor of safety and stress plots.

Use SOLIDWORKS FEA to calculate vertical displacement of a solid under a remote load in static study. Apply probe tools and linear interpolation for a line nine centimeters from origin.

Learn to set up a SOLIDWORKS finite element analysis using a split line to split a face, apply fixed geometry and remote load, and measure y-displacement with a probe.

set up a solidworks FEA with alloy steel fixtures and a 500 lbf force on the annular face; compute max displacement in millimeters and assess yield and factor of safety.

Apply alloy steel to surface bodies, set 0.15 in thickness, fix geometry, apply 100 N to measure X displacement in mm; compare with 20 N and assess factor of safety.

Assign carbon steel and alloy steel to the plate and tubes, define contacts and fixtures, apply a 500 N load, and analyze displacement and edge forces in SolidWorks simulation.