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SOLIDWORKS Simulation can set up 2D analysis for static, thermal, and nonlinear studies. This allows for a large reduction in the computational resources needed to solve the FEA analysis. This is especially true when running nonlinear analysis which can be very resource-intensive when running a 3D analysis.

Trend Tracker is a utility included in SOLIDWORKS Simulation Standard, Professional, and Premium. It enables users to track design changes dynamically when running a linear static analysis for both part and assembly models and allows for setting a design baseline. Changes can then be made to model geometry, the simulation setup, or both/and the analysis rerun. 

SOLIDWORKS Simulation Premium has 11 material model types that will influence the results of a Linear or Nonlinear Analysis. These models types are located in the Properties tab in the material properties (See Figure 1) and will be defined individually in this article. These definitions are not comprehensive. They are only intended to give SOLIDWORKS Simulation Premium users a general understanding of how each material model works in the solver.

 

SOLIDWORKS Simulation plot graphical changes (such as isolate, hide/show, exploded views) are not updated automatically. The plot that was visible before the change remains visible after the change unless additional steps described below are followed. This is due to the fact that the results data loads based on the original view state, the plot must be refreshed. There are three separate methods of regenerating a SOLIDWORKS Simulation plot after a graphical change has been made.

 

Designers are often given scenarios where there is a displacement limit in a design but they need to either find the amount of force that will be required to reach that displacement, or, the displacement limit and force is known, but the design needs to be optimized to work within the given requirements. SOLIDWORKS Simulation is an excellent tool for a situation such as this.

SOLIDWORKS Simulation has four options for solvers: Auto, FFEPlus, Direct Sparse, and Large Problem Direct Sparse. SimulationXpress uses FFEPlus solely. If you are new to Simulation, always use Auto. SOLIDWORKS will pick the most efficient and most accurate solver for the particular study automatically. The rest of this document will contain specifics on when the solvers will be less efficient and less accurate.

Thermal stress analyses can be performed in various ways using the SOLIDWORKS Simulation and SOLIDWORKS Flow Simulation packages. A thermal stress analysis entails defining thermal conditions and analyzing the stresses that develop in components due to thermal expansion. This guide will illustrate the different ways of performing thermal stress analyses.

In cases where a SOLIDWORKS Simulation analysis produces solver errors it is likely that the analysis is unstable. There are several methods to diagnose and repair these errors. Each method outlined in this article will present a way to locate unrestrained bodies so that the efforts to restrain them can be focused and a minimum amount of time is spent trying to locate unstable bodies.

SOLIDWORKS Simulation Professional enables us to replicate the infamous lab drop test. The idea is simple. Will your product survive if dropped on the ground? We can define the orientation that the device strikes the ground as well as the impact velocity, or initial height. Below are the steps to complete a successful drop test analysis in SOLIDWORKS Simulation.