SOLIDWORKS® Simulation is an easy-to-use portfolio of structural analysis tools that use the Finite Element
Analysis (FEA) method to predict a product’s real-world physical behavior by virtually testing CAD models.
The portfolio provides linear, non-linear static and dynamic analysis capabilities.
SOLIDWORKS Simulation is fully embedded in SOLIDWORKS 3D CAD for ease of use and data integrity.
Using the same user interface (UI) paradigms as SOLIDWORKS with toolbars, menus, and
context-sensitive right-click menus, ensures rapid familiarization. Built-in tutorials and
searchable online help aid learning and troubleshooting.
Design Data Reuse
SOLIDWORKS Simulation supports SOLIDWORKS materials and configurations for easy analysis of multiple
loads and product configurations.
Static Studies
Solve part and assembly structural analysis problems for stress, strain, displacements, and Factors
of Safety (FOS). Problems are limited to static loading, elastic linear materials, and small
contact displacements. For the solution to be valid, the resulting deformed shape after loading
must exhibit small displacements and rotations.
Premium only: Static studies are extended to incorporate components built up by composites
materials. Component setup includes ply orientation and sandwich definition. Results include ply
failure index as well as stress and deflections.
Fatigue Studies
Estimate components fatigue life under high-cycle varying loads where the peak stress is below the
material yield stress. Cumulative damage theory is used to predict locations and cycles to failure.
Motion Analysis
Use a time-based, rigid body kinematic and dynamic motion tool to calculate the velocities,
accelerations, and movements of an assembly under operational loads.
The motion analysis tool calculates component body and connection loads that can be imported into a
Static Study.
Professional and Premium only: Use an event-based rigid body kinematic and dynamic motion tool to
calculate the velocities, accelerations, and movements of an assembly under operational loads where
actions and movements are triggered by the location or movement of components.
The motion analysis tool calculates component body and connection loads that can be imported into a
Static Study.
Design Studies
A design study is used to perform wide-ranging “what if” analyses. In a design study, both the
parameters of a design (model) and simulation setup (materials, loadings, and fixtures) can be
varied to assess the impact of change on the model.
FEA Modelling
A customizable material library is included with simulation data:
Parallel computing (multi-core)
Batch Run
Professional and Premium only:
2D Simplification
Plane Stress
Plane Strain
Axisymmetric
Sub-modeling Simulation
Sub-Modelling: analyze the structural resistance of a sub model from a main assembly
Premium only:
Off-loading computing
Loads and Restraints
Fixtures to prescribe zero or non-zero displacements
Force, pressure, and remote structural loads
Temperature loading
Import Flow/Thermal Loads
Load Case Manager: evaluate the effects of various load combinations on your model. (Available on Profession and Premium packages only)
SOLIDWORKS Simulation results can be communicated to non-SOLIDWORKS users via eDrawings®, a shareable 3D file format.
Help and Support
In-product tutorials, online help, and knowledge base.
Communication
Customizable simulation report
eDrawings of Simulation results
Thermal Analysis
Solve steady-state and transient part and assembly thermal problems for temperature, temperature gradient, and heat flux.
With the Thermal Analysis completed, you can import temperature loads into a Static Study.
Frequency Studies
Frequency Studies determine a product’s natural modes of vibration which is important for products that experience vibration in their working environment.
Buckling Studies
A possible failure mode for long and slender components is by collapse at a load below material yield stress. The buckling study predicts the components buckling load factor.
Pressure Vessel Studies
Linearized stress, a key for safe pressure design, is calculated in the Pressure Vessel Study.
Topology Studies
Enables you to discover new minimal material design alternatives under linear elastic static loading while still meeting component stress, stiffness and vibrational requirements.
Linear Dynamic Studies
Builds upon the Frequency Study to calculate the stresses due to forcing vibrations and calculating the effects of dynamic loads, impact or shock loading, for linear elastic materials. Study types are:
Modal Time History Analysis
Harmonic Analysis
Random Vibration Analysis
Response Spectrum Analysis
Non-Linear Analysis
Non-Linear Analysis lets you analyze complex material behavior, such as post-yield metals, rubbers, and plastics, as well as to account for large deflections and sliding contact-in components.
Non-Linear Static Study assumes static loads with loads can be sequenced so that the dynamic effects of the varying load do not affect the study. The complex material models in Non-Linear Static Studies can be used to calculate permanent deformation and residual stresses due to excessive loads, as well as predicting performance for components, such as springs and clip fasteners.
Non-Linear Dynamic Study accounts for the effect of real-time varying loads that are included in calculations and results. In addition to solving non-linear static problems, Non-Linear Dynamic Studies can also solve impact problems.
Which SOLIDWORKS
Simulation package is right for you?
SOLIDWORKS Simulation Standard
SOLIDWORKS Simulation Standard is an intuitive virtual testing environment
for static linear, time-based motion, and high-cycle fatigue simulation. It delivers a concurrent
engineering approach, helping you know if your product will perform properly and how long it will
last—during the design phase.
SOLIDWORKS Simulation Professional
SOLIDWORKS Simulation Professional enables you to optimize your design,
determine product mechanical resistance, product durability, topology, natural frequencies, and test
heat transfer and buckling instabilities. It can also perform sequential multi-physics simulations.
MOST POPULAR
SOLIDWORKS Simulation Premium
SOLIDWORKS Simulation Premium lets you efficiently evaluate your designs
for nonlinear and dynamic response, dynamic loading, and composite materials. SOLIDWORKS Simulation
Premium includes three advanced studies: Non-Linear Static, Non-Linear Dynamic, and Linear Dynamics.
SOLIDWORKS Simulation Premium Capabilities
Listed below, are some of the powerful features that SolidWorks Simulation Premium users
benefit from. If you would like to know more or have any questions, please contact us.
Find out quickly and efficiently how dropping a product onto a “floor” will affect its structural
integrity using drop test analysis with SolidWorks Simulation.
Understanding impact strength is an important consideration to ensure an adequate service life for many
portable products. Multiple drops must be accounted for to
ensure that the product continues to perform correctly and meets requirements for strength and safety.
Tightly integrated with SolidWorks CAD, drop test analysis
using SolidWorks Simulation can be a regular part of your design process—reducing the need for costly
prototypes, eliminating rework or delays,
and saving time and development costs.
Thermal Structural Analysis
Determine thermal effects on a given design—or the impact of design changes on component
temperatures—using fast, efficient thermal structural analysis with SolidWorks Simulation.
Tightly integrated with SolidWorks CAD, thermal structural analysis using SolidWorks Simulation can be a
regular part of your design process—reducing the need for costly prototypes, eliminating rework and
delays, and saving time and development costs.
Plastic and Rubber Part Analysis
Video: Plastic and Rubber Part Analysis Preview
Quickly and efficiently carry out stress analysis of plastic components and rubber parts with SolidWorks
Simulation while you design to optimize material selection and part design, ensuring high product
quality, performance, and safety.
Tightly integrated with SolidWorks CAD, stress analysis of plastic and rubber parts using SolidWorks
Simulation can be a regular part of your design process—reducing the need for costly prototypes,
eliminating rework and delays, and saving time and development costs.
Vibration Analysis
Video: Vibration Analysis Preview
Uncover potential issues early and make adjustments during design by conducting vibration analysis with
SolidWorks Simulation. You can identify trouble spots that could cause problems (such as, resonance,
fatigue, and assembly techniques) and avoid costly rework and delays during the prototype phase.
SolidWorks Simulation provides detailed vibration data through frequency analysis and dynamic analysis
to ensure product performance and safety. Vibration analysis is an important consideration when an
applied load is not constant (static), inducing unstable modes of vibration (resonance) which result in
a shortened service life and cause unexpected failures.
Frequency Analysis
Video: Frequency Analysis Preview
Quickly and efficiently investigate the natural frequencies of a design—with and without loads and
boundary conditions—with easy-to-use SolidWorks Simulation. Ensure that the natural modes of vibration
are away from environmental forcing frequencies, indicating that the design will meet the required
service life.
Tightly integrated with SolidWorks CAD, frequency analysis using SolidWorks Simulation can be a regular
part of your design process, reducing the need for costly prototypes, eliminating rework and delays, and
saving time and development costs.
Finite Element Analysis
Efficiently optimize and validate each design step using fast-solving, CAD integrated SolidWorks
Simulation to ensure quality, performance, and safety.
Tightly integrated with SolidWorks CAD, SolidWorks Simulation solutions and capabilities can be a
regular part of your design process—reducing the need for costly prototypes, eliminating rework and
delays, and saving time and development costs.
Linear Stress Analysis
Linear stress analysis with SolidWorks Simulation enables designers and engineers to quickly and
efficiently validate quality, performance, and safety—all while creating their design.
Tightly integrated with SolidWorks CAD, linear stress analysis using SolidWorks Simulation can be a
regular part of your design process, reducing the need for costly prototypes, eliminating rework and
delays, and saving time and development costs.
Structural Analysis
CAD-embedded SolidWorks Simulation enables every designer and engineer to carry out structural
simulation on parts and assemblies with finite element analysis (FEA) while they work to improve and
validate performance and reduce the need for costly prototypes or design changes later on.
Structural simulation covers a wide range of FEA problems—from the performance of a part under a
constant load to the stress analysis of a moving assembly under dynamic loading, all of which can be
determined using SolidWorks Simulation tools.
