SolidWorks 2022 Advanced: Simulation Xpress

Name: SolidWorks 2022 Advanced: Simulation Xpress
Author: Will Tenney

Learn how to set up and complete a SolidWorks Simulation Xpress simulation and stress analysis

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Course: On-Demand

Hi, my name's Will Tenney, and in this lesson we discussed SolidWorks SimulationXpress for the first time as well as assess its value to engineers and designers. So, SimulationXpress is a tool meant to optimize your product designs by allowing you to run basic stress analysis programs on single body parts. This information can inform your design moving forward in ways that amplify or even edit and refine your models so that they perform it just as you want them to without the need of over-engineering the piece. For instance, here I have a basic coat hanger model, which we will be using for the SimulationXpress exploration in this module. It's a basic play with two outstretched arms, one for your coat and one for your hat or scarf. My goal is to design a part that is as sleek and unassuming as possible without the need for extra features such as supports or gussets. With SimulationXpress, I can establish a fixed face or multiple fixed faces as faces that are held in place. In this case, we will select the back face as this will be mounted securely to a wall. I then would establish a direction of stress and a location on the part that is undergoing that stress. As this is a coat hangar, the stress is on the top of the hooks themselves. The direction of the stress is downwards because it reflects the gravitational pull on the hangers when they're in use. Once those points are established, I can run the SimulationXpress program and create a report that describes the finding of that analysis. This report can be exported and given to my supervisor, clients, or whoever would be interested to know how the design would hold up when in use. As an engineer, the application of this tool will be obvious. You want your piece to be able to withstand the stresses you anticipate they will take. As a designer myself, who is now focused more on aesthetics and engineering performance, I still use this tool. I find that if I can get some basic data about the performance of my design before it gets to the engineering phase, I can ensure that my design intent remains consistent throughout the product development process. This is because I did the analysis myself first to determine if what I was designing would likely be successful. If I run the report and find that more supports are needed in my design, I can add that myself in a manner I see fit before it moves on to the engineering phase and under someone else's influence. Thanks for listening. In the next lesson, we learn how to activate SimulationXpress for those who do not already have it installed.

Advanced Provider : Will Tenney 6 Lessons · 29m in Arabic, German, English, Spanish, French, Portuguese, Chinese

Course Description

In these lessons, we’ll cover how to use the SolidWorks Simulation Xpress Analysis Wizard, a tool for analyzing the structural performance of a part when under forces or pressures. It is one of a variety of analysis tools available for those with a SolidWorks seat. This tool deals specifically with mechanical forces. You will learn how to use this tool to scrutinize a part design, generate reports of your findings, and optimize your part to meet new stress requirements.

You’ll begin by installing the wizard, then we’ll move into how to use the tool within the analysis process it provides. You begin by selecting a fixed point. This is followed by assigning a load to another point. You will then confirm your parameters through a provided stress animation. At the end, you can assign stress limitations such as Factor of Safety, and then use those limitations, along with the performance of your part, to generate a report of your findings that can be exported as a Word document or eDrawings file. Finally, when your analysis is complete and the report generated, you’ll learn how to use the tool to recommend design changes to optimize the structural performance of your part while minimizing additional mass.

What You'll Learn

Set up and begin a stress analysis using the SolidWorks Simulation Xpress Analysis Wizard
Configure parameters for a stress analysis, including selecting a fixed point
Apply loads to a part to simulate force or pressure
Confirm analysis parameters through the provided stress animation
Generate analysis reports and export them as Word documents or eDrawings files
Optimize a part design for structural integrity while minimizing additional mass

Key Takeaways

SolidWorks Simulation Xpress is an analysis tool for evaluating the structural performance of a part under forces or pressures, dealing specifically with mechanical forces.
The analysis process begins by selecting a fixed point, then assigning a load to another point, and confirming parameters through a stress animation.
Stress limitations such as Factor of Safety can be assigned and combined with the part's performance to generate a report of the findings.
Reports can be exported as a Word document or an eDrawings file.
The tool can recommend design changes to optimize a part's structural performance while minimizing additional mass.

Frequently Asked Questions

What does this course cover?

It covers how to use the SolidWorks Simulation Xpress Analysis Wizard to analyze the structural performance of a part under forces or pressures, including installing the wizard, setting up an analysis, applying loads, generating reports, and optimizing a part design.

What tool does this course focus on?

It focuses on the SolidWorks Simulation Xpress Analysis Wizard, one of a variety of analysis tools available to those with a SolidWorks seat, which deals specifically with mechanical forces.

What lessons are included in this course?

The lessons are Introduction to Simulation Xpress, Activation, Simulation Analysis Wizard, Running a Simulation, Reports, and Optimization.

In what formats can the analysis reports be exported?

Reports of your findings can be exported as a Word document or an eDrawings file.

What will I be able to do with a part after completing the analysis?

You will learn how to use the tool to recommend design changes that optimize the structural performance of your part while minimizing additional mass.