Learn how to perform a basic static stress analysis in SolidWorks to virtually test your designs, identify weak points, and optimize for strength and material usage before manufacturing.
First, you need to activate the Simulation tool. Go to Tools > Add-ins from the top menu. In the dialog box, check the box next to SolidWorks Simulation and click OK. A new 'Simulation' tab will appear in the CommandManager.
Navigate to the Simulation tab and click on New Study. Select Static from the study types, give your study a name, and click the green checkmark to confirm.
A simulation is only as good as its material properties. Right-click on your part in the Simulation study tree, select Apply/Edit Material, and choose an appropriate material from the SolidWorks library (e.g., Alloy Steel).
Define how your part is held and what forces it experiences. Right-click the Fixtures folder and add constraints like Fixed Geometry. Then, right-click the External Loads folder to apply forces, pressures, or torques to specific faces or features.
The model must be broken into small elements (a mesh) for analysis. Right-click the Mesh folder and select Create Mesh. You can adjust the density for more or less detail. Once meshed, click Run This Study from the Simulation tab to start the calculation.
After the simulation completes, SolidWorks will automatically generate result plots for Stress, Displacement, and Strain. Double-click on any plot in the Results folder to view it. Use these plots to identify high-stress areas and determine if your design meets requirements.
Tips for Better Simulations
For critical areas like sharp corners or holes, use Mesh Control to create a finer, more accurate mesh locally without increasing overall computation time significantly.
Remove small, non-structural features like cosmetic fillets, chamfers, or text before running an analysis. This simplifies the mesh and speeds up the calculation.
Don't just look at stress. Create a Factor of Safety plot to quickly see if your design is safe. A value below 1 indicates failure.
A static analysis assumes loads are applied slowly and that the material behaves linearly. Ensure these assumptions are valid for your real-world application.
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