What is Solidworks: Definition and 100 Discussions

SolidWorks is a solid modeling computer-aided design (CAD) and computer-aided engineering (CAE) computer program published by Dassault Systèmes, that runs primarily on Microsoft Windows. While it is possible to run SolidWorks on an Intel-based Mac with Windows installed, the application's developer recommends against this. SolidWorks does not support macOS.According to the publisher, over two million engineers and designers at more than 165,000 companies were using SolidWorks as of 2013. Also, according to the company, fiscal year 2011–12 revenue for SolidWorks totaled $483 million.

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  1. Stephen Bulking

    Moment of inertia of a composite object in Solidworks

    Hey guys do you know how Solidworks allow us to estimate the moment of inertia of the 3D model given the material properties? Well I'm trying to find the moment of inertia of my rotary drum with 1177 peanuts centers inside the drum and obviously I can't draw 1177 peanut centers inside the...
  2. D

    Advice for learning enough Solidworks to pass the CSWA and CSWP exams

    Has anybody here learned SolidWorks by themselves to the degree of being certified? If so what would be the best way to do that? I have free access to SolidWorks through my university but I have not yet taken any courses on it. I used a little bit of Abaqus software for FEA for applied strength...
  3. AJSayad

    SolidWorks Sketching Visual Problem

    Hi Everyone, I could use some help in SolidWorks, when I go to sketch geometry, the software creates a lot of lines that extend off the starting point and they don't go away until I snap back to the starting point. I have an image attached to show what is happening. This creates a problem...
  4. R

    Automatically replacing a part in a SolidWorks assembly

    Replacing a part automatically in SolidWorks assembly based on the end conditions and applications required.
  5. Tone L

    In search of.... Solidworks Tutorials

    Hi folks, Coming from an non-engineering background, I have not taken a formal course on CAD. Is anyone familiar with any good YouTube/video series that give a tutorial on using Solidworks, 2018+? I have browsed around and I've watched some videos but they only scratch the surface. Thanks.
  6. F

    How to Integrate Solidworks and Matlab for 3D Modeling?

    Hello all, I've decided to post my question on here as it seems to be a more active forum over Matlab's one. So what I am after is help when with modelling, now, when I model in Solidworks have assemblies within the main assembly, but the issue with this is that it's not detecting the joint...
  7. Jeviah

    CFD analysis of a turbine, interpreting torque values

    Hello, I am using CFD to analyse a Kaplan turbine and am unsure on how to interpret the torque values as they come as x, y and z components. My understanding is that the z component in this case will determine the rotation direction depending on whether it is positive or negative however I am...
  8. E

    Engineering How proficient do i need to be in CAD for a mechanical engineering internship?

    How proficient in cad should someone who is applying for mechanical engineering internship be? I am teaching myself solidworks and i would like to have a benchmark to progress towards so when I began applying for a mechanical engineering internship in the near future i will feel prepared.
  9. A

    Design Multilayer Aircore Inductor in Solidworks

    As I am newbie to use solidwork, what I want to know is "is it possible to draw the exact design of multilayer aircore inductor in solidwork instead of drawing just only 2 substract cylinders? "
  10. Hercuflea

    CT Scan to editable Solidworks file?

    Hello, I have CT scanned an object at my local hospital, and I want to convert the object to an editable part in SolidWorks. So far, I've used the program 3D Slicer to create a label map of the object and exported it to an .STL format. However, it doesn't seem to be editable at all when I...
  11. S

    FEA Hand Calculation Validation

    I have ran an FEA analysis on part screenshot below. I wanted to do some hand calculations to validate the results. What formula should I use to calculate the stress?
  12. N

    Measure angle in Ansys Workbench

    Hello, I want to ask how I want to make a rotation using angle in Ansys Workbench ? I already read some suggestions that it can be done by using local coordinate system but unfortunately I can't done it right. Is there any youtube video or tutorials that I can refer ? I hope someone can help...
  13. B

    Solidworks thermal simulation: is this logical?

    I just ran 2 simulations on Solidworks, same assembly, same initial conditions on all pieces, pretty much I "Cloned" the thermal study and just changed one piece So, from the assembly above you can see the materials for most pieces, the 2 grey pieces in the center are 2 aluminum plates with a...
  14. Eddie714

    What is the Proper Involute Profile for Worm Gear Drive Teeth Design?

    Hello i am having trouble figuring out the proper profile to use for the worm and the gear. I need to model it in solidworks and everything i am finding online is for spur gears. I need to get the worm and gear to mesh correctly so i can do some finite element analysis on it. I have calculated...
  15. C

    Home project -- spring-arm Monitor stand (solidworks)

    hello, first i would like to say, even through i enjoy working with SolidWorks, I am not an engineer. so any more technical stuff may go over my head, and everyone who would help me even through that disadvantage have my eternal gratitude. my home project was made because of whole monitor stand...
  16. B

    SolidWorks worm reducer analysis tutorial needed

    I've calculated my gear ratio to be 1:27 and the most suitable reducer for it would be a worm drive. I couldn't find any descriptive tutorials to do the mesh and perform constructional analysis of the gears on SolidWorks. Can you help me?
  17. M

    Should a civil engineer learn solidworks?

    Hi, I am in school majoring in civil engineering. Would it be worth it to practice using solidworks as well as autoCAD? or would that be a waste of time?
  18. E

    Force Question -- Solidworks model of a pulley system

    Hello Everyone, I'm currently making simulations in Solidworks and am confused. I have to double the force on a pulley and change the dimensions from the original pulley, in order to withstand the new force. My hypothesis: If I multiply all the dimensions by the cubed root of 2, then my...
  19. M

    What computer should a Mechenaical Engineering Student Buy

    Hello all. My daughter is going to start as a freshman in a BS Mechanical Engineering program. I want to buy her a PC that will last her through her 4 years of school. My initial thoughts were some of the light, but relatively powerful new offerings (Surface and other thin designs), but I...
  20. M

    Simulation error messages solidworks - invalid goals

    I am running a simulation on a flat plate heat exchanger and the solver is coming up with some error messages. The first says that a vortex crosses the pressure opening and the second says that my heat transfer rate goals are invalid. How can I get the heat transfer goals to be valid as I need...
  21. A

    Ideas to attach a swivel wheel Solidworks

    Hi everyone, I am newly registred here. I am a university student in mechanical engineering in Canada. Homework Statement I have to use Solidworks to build a cart that has a steel plate on the top mounted somehow to 4 swivel wheels assembly provided that has a pin to attach. *see...
  22. E

    Healthy Living Tips: Improve Your Well-Being Today!

    Topic says it all really, thanks.
  23. B

    Solidworks beam deflection and MDSolids

    Hi all Sorry if this is in the wrong place... I've been doing some beam deflections on a simply supported beam, with loads applied to the overhangs, and have used MDSolids, Hand Calculations and Solidworks. My hand calculations match up with the results that I have got from MDSolids...
  24. E

    Should I learn Pro/Engineer or SolidWorks?

    Dear all, I checked job numbers on indeed Canada, and when using Pro/ENGINEER and solidworks as search words, I got 74 and 338 respectively, which means 4.56 times as many solidworks jobs. Can I learn Pro/engineer and be employed in a solidworks job? because if not, the jobs for...
  25. enigma

    What are some recommended resources for Solidworks 2011 training?

    Anyone have any recommendations for video, book, or course (midatlantic region) to learn SW 2011? My company uses PRO/E almost exclusively, but we have a new customer who uses SW. I have approval to get training. Budget for training is a few hundred, and if its a course, I can probably find some...
  26. M

    Ansys OR solidworks simulation

    peace be upon you: i am working in design i have finished drawings using sloidworks and about to do simulation and i need advice which is better ansys or SW simulaion hint : i need accurate results to do optimization for design in the future thx in advance
  27. Femme_physics

    What should I do if I encounter an error message during Solidworks installation?

    I'm installing my student account with the serial numbers given to me by my college and I get this message during installation and I've no clue what to do http://img196.imageshack.us/img196/2528/solidworksc.jpg
  28. C

    Improve FEA Skills in SolidWorks | SimulationXpress (2011)

    I want to learn/practice using Solidworks' FEA tools. My version only has the SimulationXpress (2011) package which seems weak. I want to know if it is possible to specify roller/slider/pin conditions when using the structural analysis tools. So far I've only seen fixture condition, so is...
  29. C

    Troubleshooting Solidworks Assembly Stuck: Tips for Smooth Motion

    Solidworks Assembly is "Stuck" I made an assembly of a few parts, and I mated them how they should. When I move one part, I need the whole device to move around how it would in real life, but this requires a few parts to revolve/spin about different axes, which seems to confuse Solidworks...
  30. J

    Mastering SolidWorks: Tips and Tutorials for Beginners

    I just got a copy of Solid Works and I would like to know if anyone has any experience using this program. I have non what so ever and I need tutorials and stuff to get the hang of the program. Please help.
  31. R

    SolidWorks FEA (Varying Cross Section)

    Does anyone know how SolidWorks calculates the stresses for this simulation. Can anyone give me an idea, is it second moment of area? y/r = m/i? Thanks Richard.
  32. P

    Mastering SolidWorks: How to Learn on Your Own?

    Hi all, I would like to learn SolidWorks on my own and I'm not sure what is the best way/ways to do so ... I'm willing to spend a couple of hours, each day, to get a grip on it properly and fairly quickly (I need to know how to use this program in a good level till the 6th of January). I...
  33. D

    Native Linux Alternatives to Solidworks

    Hello, I am looking for CAD simulation software that can run natively on Linux. Any suggestions? Thanks in advance!
  34. D

    Are There Plugins for Modeling Forces over a Distance in Solidworks and Blender?

    ...specifically forces over a distance (coulomb, gravity, etc.). Are there any plugins to do this?
  35. J

    Advices/help for mouldable crankcase in Solidworks (assembly+screens)

    Hello, I am new here, I am a student from France in Mechanical Engineering, I need some advices/help in Solidworks software, here is the deal (sorry if it's the wrong section) : I am currently designing an assembly for a rising screw (yellow on the sheme) the only possible movment for it is...
  36. A

    Solidworks COSMOS - How to read results

    Hi, First of all I must say, I am a bit ashamed asking this question... Since its been a long time since I studied mechanics of materials and since I never used it in my line of work, I am trying to analyze a problem regarding this subject using COSMOS in solidworks, I have a model and I...
  37. D

    Solidworks Mating Arrangements

    Hi, Im designing an axial piston pump in solidworks, prior to analysis. Basically I am having difficulty in getting the slipper pads from the top of the pistons to mate to the swashplate, so that when rotated the pump produces a pumping action. I have the slipper pads connected to the...
  38. B

    Solidworks Modeling Help: Geodesic Dome Pentagons, Hexagons, Struts

    I am new to modeling and am trying to draw a geodesic dome consiting of pentagons with 30degree stuts at each point forming a hexagon. The final strut joining the 2 pentagons is not lining up and is too short. Everything is equal and symetrical. What is going on? Should they line up?
  39. S

    Quick Solidworks Question: Can I Exaggerate Scale of an Axis?

    Hi, I just have a quick solidworks question. Is it possible to exaggerate the scale of one of the axes? I have a structure that is about 5mm x 5mm in the xy plane, but has only a maximum height of about 10um in the z direction. I'd like to show more detail in the z direction by...
  40. U

    Where can I find recommended books and tutorials to learn SolidWorks?

    Can anyone recommend some good books or computer based tutorials to learn SolidWorks.
  41. 0

    Cut a Vent in SolidWorks When Face is Broken

    Basically, I am trying to cut out a vent for a fan. The vent feature of SW requires the vent to be on a single face, and in this case it is not. The bottom half of the case has a mounting flange (highlighted green in attached image), so I cannot place the vent where I need to. The model was...
  42. J

    FEM for composites in SolidWorks

    Anybody know how this is done? I want to do a stress analysis on a wing design, but COSMOSXpress yells at me when I choose to use a composite material.
  43. P

    New to Solidworks? Free Documentation & Tips for Cutting Angled Pipes"

    I am new to SW. Is there a good book that i can use (free documentation preferred). Also, more to the point, i have a pipe, but i need to cut off an angled section on one end in order to have an angled end. Any help is appreciated! Thanks!
  44. BasketDaN

    Solidworks or Autodesk Inventor?

    Which is the preferred program? Or is there a better option than those two for 3D computer drawing?
  45. D

    Angle of deformation in ANSYS Workbench

    Hi everyone, I'm here to ask you one thing of ansys, I made this model with solidworks and I imported into ansys as STEP files (which is the difference in how import solidworks file?), I defined the part that will be studied and applied as you can see in the attached photo, a linear...
  46. R

    Calc Deflection of Prismatic Beam: Step by Step Guide

    Hello PF, First time here posting. So I have a question about trying to calculate the deflection of this prismatic beam by hand using superposition. I know I can figure it out in SolidWorks, but I also want to know I would do it by hand, or at least the general process. The angled bar b is...
  47. C

    Software that models atmospheric hypersonic flight

    Hi, I would like to model various projectiles and capsules being fired at hypersonic speeds by a coilgun or equivalent mass driver. Does anyone know of any programs that could simulate a launch or at least parts of the flight? (ie. setting the atmospheric density for a given region, calculating...
  48. A

    Help Building Simple Pipe Bend (Experiment)

    So as a side project for my professor, I'm supposed to 1) build a recirculating simple pipe bend 2) experiment and get data 3) do hand calculations via fluids equations (Bernoulli) 4) simulate with solidworks 5) compare results Restrictions: budget and availability of finding products...
  49. F

    Mechanical design and thermal barrier/isolation

    I have just joined the forum so please be nice as I'm not an engineer. lol Thank you for any and all help. I wanted to tap the knowledge here because my brain hurts... I'd like a better understand of how to get the answer not just the answer if possible. I am designing a mechanical...
  50. A

    Understanding Inertia Tensor Scaling in CAD Models - Explained

    Hi everyone, I have the following problem in my hands, which I don't know how exactly to address. Let's assume that from any CAD(Solidworks, Catia), I obtain the inertia tensor of my model (impossible to calculate by hand btw). I_full=[Ixx Ixy Ixz Ixy Iyy Iyz Ixz Iyz Izz] I...
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