Quickly apply mesh controls
Alright, so you have selected a bunch of faces for applying a load. Now you want to pick those same faces to apply a mesh control to them to make sure that you have accurate results. As you may already now a smaller element size in a region improves the accuracy of results in that [...]
Rapid Weight Loss with SolidWorks Optimization
In today’s competitive landscape, keeping costs down without sacrificing quality is paramount. But how can we minimize costly materials used in a design and still ensure it functions correctly? In this transfer mechanism seen below, we need to remove material from the bracket castings and torsion tube. But how do we find the locations in [...]
How long will my design last?
SolidWorks has updated it’s Simulation suite of software to include a basic tool to check for fatigue problems. The Fatigue Check plot alerts you if certain regions of your model are likely to fail due to repeated loading and unloading over infinite time. You can assess in advance the safety of your model due to [...]
What is SolidWorks Mechatronics and why do I need it?
Designing production machinery is a challenging job, especially when integrating controls and making sure everything works. Today I put together a pre-recorded presentation showing machine operation in SolidWorks Motion as well as the integration of tools from National Instruments and Rockwell Automation. With SolidWorks and National Instruments LabVIEW, you can lower the cost and risk [...]
Probe in SolidWorks Flow Simulation
In working with one of my clients today, I discovered a hidden gem within SolidWorks Flow Simulation CFD software. My client asked me if we could walk around the model and probe temperatures at certain locations, like you can in SolidWorks Simulation FEA software. The answer is yes. But the tool is well hidden. With [...]
Vote for your favorite enhancements online!
Each year, SolidWorks asks you to vote on the top ten enhancements you would like to see in a future release of the software. They introduced a new Brainstorm tool for SolidWorks World 2009, and they have brought it back for 2010. It lets you submit your favorite enhancement ideas, and allows other SolidWorks users [...]
I’ve got the power!
In my webcast today on Event-Based Simulation I showed how SolidWorks revolutionizes the way controls and CAD modeling work together. This approach allows you to directly integrate your models with the behaviors you desire, bringing mechanical and electrical design to the forefront while maintaining machine controls flexibility. EBS accomplishes this in a novel way: instead [...]
CAPU DimXpert TolAnalyst Fundamentals
I have just posted the PowerPoint slides for the CAPU presentation that Shuvom Ghose and I performed this afternoon for our customers. Anyone who currently performs “manual” tolerance stack-up analyses, designs high precision components that require strict adherence to tolerances to function properly or anyone who must correctly dimension and tolerance designs because of particular [...]
SolidWorks in Mold Design Part 1: Is my part moldy? I mean moldable…
SolidWorks has quietly become a great tool for mold design. Did you know that nearly 1/3 of our customers use SolidWorks in the tool/die/fixture industry? In this series of blog posts, I will design an entire moldbase, from fixing an imported part, to running mold filling analysis, making design changes, drawings, waterlines, graphite and wire electrode creation, [...]
Go with the Flow
Flow simulation is pretty intense stuff. I have been asked if you can set up your SolidWorks Flow Simulation problem on your own workstation and run it on another, without leaving the cozy comfort of your desk. The answer to that question is YES! Users can run the flow simulation on a remote computer [...]
