Become a SOLIDWORKS Simulation Associate Today! (CSWA-SM)

Explore the simulation flow for FCA studies, learn static-study steps, apply them to a 3d model, review the default result plots, and compute the factor of safety.

Load the SolidWorks simulation add-in and enable automatic loading to access the Simulation and Analysis Preparation tabs for setting up and running studies.

Prepare a 3D model for simulation, assign structural material, start a static study, apply fixtures and external loads, mesh, run, and interpret results.

Apply SolidWorks simulation to a fixed-wall table under a 500-kilogram load, assign AISI steel 304, and evaluate stress, displacement, and a minimum factor of safety of 5.2.

Explore the three model types in SolidWorks simulation—beans, shells, and solids—and how their structures and elements differ within the simulation workflow.

Master the static study workflow in SolidWorks by following common stages—materials, contacts, fixtures, loads, meshing, solving, and results analysis—with each project unique.

Set up your SOLIDWORKS simulation workflow by configuring the default unit system, understanding fixtures (fixed and immovable), and interpreting the factor of safety.

Learn how this beginner-friendly SolidWorks simulation course is structured in cycles of independent simulation cases, with small learning blocks covering beams, shells, solids, and assemblies, and introducing finite element analysis.

Understand the factor of safety as the ratio of maximum possible load to maximum intended load, and use software like SolidWorks simulation to account for margins of error and conditions.

Compare fixed and immovable fixtures in beams and shells. Fixed fixtures have zero translational and rotational degrees of freedom; immovable fixtures allow rotation, creating a slope.

Set a default unit system for simulations, typically ac units, and learn to change it through the simulation menu, options, default options, and units.

Set the default mesh option to standard, so all new studies start with the standard mesh type, with three options: standard, curvature-based, or blended curvature-based.

Set up a default measurement system to save time, adjust units for loads or plots, and use fixed versus immovable fixtures with the factor of safety to assess design reliability.

Explore beams in simulations: define when to treat structures as beams, split them for preparation, set up and solve beam studies, adjust plot scales, save and animate results as images.

Define a beam as a long, one-dimensional element with a uniform cross section, and learn when SolidWorks Simulation treats a model as a beam, including the ten-times rule.

Explore a fixed-fixed steel beam under a distributed 2000 N load to analyze stress, distribution, and displacement, then save graphics and animate the response in SolidWorks simulation.

Configure a SolidWorks simulation beam study by assigning steel 1020, applying fixtures at the end joints, and applying a 2000 newton load. Create the mesh and run the static study.

Render the beam profile from the stress plot by right-clicking the result plot and applying render beam profile to view the actual beam shape, note this is for stress plots.

Learn to adjust the deformation scale in SOLIDWORKS simulation results, using automatic, true, or user-defined scales like 1500. See how scale choices affect displacement and stress plots for effective communication.

Save simulation plots as images by right-clicking plot and choosing save as, then select png or jpeg to capture deformed design, legend, and model details; adjust angle and save images.

Animate SolidWorks simulation results to visualize deformed and non-deformed states, adjust frames per second, speed, and type (reciprocating, loop, forward only), and save animations as AVI files.

Simulate a two-meter fixed-fixed beam with a center fixture in SOLIDWORKS, applying 10,000 newtons distributed and 5,000 newtons center point loads to identify min and max stress values and locations.

Split the beam at its midpoint to create two bodies, then add a center point reference for accurate fixture and force placement in a static study with SolidWorks.

Always save a copy of your solid model for simulations to isolate adjustments like splitting the model, changing reference geometries, or tweaking features, minimizing impact on the development workflow.

Set up a beam simulation in SolidWorks with global bonded contact, fixtures, and two loads (10,000 N and 5,000 N). Create the mesh, run the study, and verify results.

Showcases annotating minimum and maximum stress on a stress plot using the color legend, and generating a factor of safety plot to assess structural safety.

Explore beams as long, uniform cross-section one-dimensional elements in SolidWorks simulations, adjust 3D models by splitting parts for joints, manage deformation scale, animate results, and annotate plots.

Identify shells as two-dimensional structures with uniform thickness, prepare shell models for simulation, and set thicknesses for non-thickened surfaces using reference geometries in SolidWorks simulation.

Learn how shell models, defined as two-dimensional sheets with uniform thickness such as sheet metal parts and uniform cans, are created in SolidWorks simulation via three methods.

Prepare a sheet-metal shell model for solidworks simulation with a free-rotating surface a, an immovable surface b, and a 400 N load to obtain stress distribution and surface b reactions.

Prepare a sheet metal model for simulation by saving a copy, creating a selectable surface with a split line, and defining a rotational axis for holes.

Set up a static SOLIDWORKS simulation for a sheet metal model in AISI 1020 steel, define rotational fixtures, apply a 400 N load, and mesh to analyze shell behavior.

Learn how reaction forces distribute under a 400 newton load and sum to 400 newtons per Newton's third law; view phase-specific reactions and total across selected faces by updating results.

Introduce a shell simulation case with aluminium 1060 alloy and 0.2 inch thickness; conduct a two-stage study to assess failure under outward forces on upper edges, with lower face fixed.

Apply a 0.2 inch outward thickness to a surface in SolidWorks simulation, turning it into a shell by defining thickness and material (aluminium 1060 alloy) or using the shell manager.

Conduct a surface simulation to assess failure risk by applying fixed fixtures and forces, meshing, and running the study, where stress exceeds the yield stress and predicts failure.

Explore shells in SolidWorks simulations, including automatically interpreted sheet metals and surfaces, and learn to prepare models with split line commands, reference geometries, and thickness settings to obtain reaction forces.

Explore essential topics for SOLIDWORKS simulation, including understanding and simplifying models, remote loads and their uses, and the basics and benefits of adaptive meshing.

Analyze how to interpret models for robust simulations by identifying loads, fixtures, and critical cases, and by testing cycles and real-life conditions to ensure valid inputs and meaningful results.

Learn how remote loads simulate unmodeled components by applying forces, displacements, and masses to a stand design in SolidWorks, enabling accurate performance insight with limited cad resources.

Explore adaptive meshing that refines mesh density where needed to improve accuracy, focusing on edge adaptive meshing that iterates to boost results around high stress areas.

Review the takeaways on understanding how designs are used, the loads they face, load cases, remote loads for unmodelled parts, and edge adaptive meshing to improve results.

Celebrate your progress as you reach halfway through this program, feel proud, and take a short break before continuing to the next video.

Explore solid bodies in simulation, define when to treat structures as solids, prepare solid models, adjust plots for clarity, and apply remote loads and adaptive machines.

Define a solid body as any shape not classified as a beam or shell, including irregular shapes and nonuniform dimensions; SolidWorks automatically treats such models as solids in simulation.

Analyze hanger fixed to a wall with three holes and four bolts under 220 kg load on 50 mm hook, using SolidWorks to assess factor of safety and xy plot.

Explore simplifying models for simulation by suppressing fillets and branding engravings like the DT engraving to improve meshing while preserving strength.

Prepare your model for simulation by assigning 1060 aluminum alloy, defining a 50 mm circular region via split line, and creating a selectable surface to apply the force.

Run a SolidWorks simulation to compare yield strength and maximum stress under fixed fixtures and a prescribed load, then use the results advisor to find a 0.88 factor of safety.

Adjust the factor of safety plot by setting min/max, switching to discrete fringes, and using gray for values above four to clearly show regions with FOS below four.

Generate an x y plot of the hanger's top edge to visualize stress distribution using probe and edge selection. Save and compare plots, noting parametric distance from 0 to 1.

Learn to use virtual walls in SolidWorks simulations to constrain hangar models, compare deflection and factor of safety with and without a wall, and set up a virtual wall.

Introduce a SOLIDWORKS simulation case for an alloy steel sheet model, switch from shell to solid, apply adaptive edge meshing and remote and local loads to map stress.

Switch to solid treatment by right-clicking the part and selecting 'treat as solid,' enabling edge adaptive meshing and accurate simulation for thicker sheets and nonconforming features.

Set up a remote load by specifying the force location, global coordinate system, and x, y, z directions, then apply fixed fixtures and validate on the canvas.

Set up the edge adaptive mesh, run the study over multiple loops, and use target accuracy, accuracy bias, max loops, and mesh causing to analyze stress concentration.

Explore solid bodies in simulation and simplify 3D models for easier analysis. Create x and y plots, switch between shells and solids, apply remote loads, and use adaptive meshing.

Take a break from running simulation cases to explore connections, their purpose, and how they help simulate assemblies or multi-body parts. Learn when to use large vs small displacement settings.

Explore how connections define how multiple parts interact in a SolidWorks simulation, using global, non global, local, and component interactions with overrides for exceptions.

Explore five connection types in SolidWorks simulation for static simulations: bonded, contact or no penetration, free or allow penetration, shrink fit, and virtual wall.

In a static analysis, enable large displacement when you expect significant deformation, because stiffness updates during the study; otherwise, use small displacement with constant stiffness.

Review the differences between small and large displacements in SolidWorks simulations, how stiffness changes with load, and how connections control interactions with bonded, no penetration, shrink fit, and virtual walls.

Learn to simulate assemblies and multi body parts, define connections, identify loose bodies, and use the shell manager to manage multiple shells while addressing clearances and gaps.

Understand how assemblies and multi body parts are handled in SolidWorks simulation, setting up connections and simulating multiple body types—beams, shells, and solids—within a single study.

Explore case 1 in SolidWorks simulation by preparing an AISI 304 steel assembly with bonded surfaces, applying 250 N and 5 N m loads to locate peak stress and z-displacement.

Assign AISI 304 steel to all parts and fix the assembly by setting a 145-degree angle between the link and the handle posts, preparing the model for SolidWorks simulation.

Start a SOLIDWORKS simulation study and exclude the handle from analysis to simplify the model. Suppress the part in the simulation tree by right-clicking and selecting exclude from analysis.

Set up the global bonded interaction and a local contact (no penetration for older versions), selecting the rod surface and the link's inner surface, then adjust transparency as needed.

Set up an assembly simulation by applying fixtures and loads, generate the mesh, run the study, and identify the location of maximum stress with a stress plot.

Create and interpret a z-displacement plot in SolidWorks simulation, switch units to millimeters, and read max/min annotations to assess directional displacement relative to the global coordinate system.

Introduce a SolidWorks simulation case for a multi-body assembly with bonded block; set shell thicknesses, cast alloy steel and AISI 304 steel, apply 600 N, fix bottoms, compute end reactions.

Use the shell manager in the simulation to assign 3 mm thicknesses with middle offset and cast alloy steel to the surfaces, and apply AISI 304 to the block.

Learn to manage gaps and clearances in SOLIDWORKS simulation. Use global bonded interactions with a set gap (include shell edge) or local bonded contacts to fully constrain the model.

Run the SolidWorks simulation with the default mesh to determine reaction forces at the circular edge and square end under a 600 newton load.

Define assemblies and multi-body parts in simulation as structures with multiple interacting bodies, and learn to set connections, use the shell manager, and address clearances and design gaps.