Assembly motion study basics in Solidworks - Step-by-Step Guide

Introduction

Assembly motion study helps you see how parts in your design move together. It shows if parts fit and work well before building anything physical. This saves time and money by finding problems early.

When you want to check if a door in your design opens smoothly without hitting other parts

When you need to see how gears rotate together in a machine

When you want to test if a sliding drawer moves fully without obstruction

When you want to simulate the motion of a robotic arm to check its range

When you want to create a video showing how your assembly works for a presentation

Steps

Step 1: Open your assembly file

- SolidWorks main window

Your assembly model appears on screen

Step 2: Click the Motion Study tab at the bottom of the window

- Bottom tab bar

Motion Study timeline and controls appear below the assembly

Step 3: Select 'Animation' or 'Basic Motion' from the Motion Study type dropdown

- Motion Study PropertyManager on the left

Motion Study is set to the chosen type, ready for adding movements

Step 4: Drag the timeline slider to the desired time position

- Motion Study timeline

Timeline cursor moves to that time, showing assembly state at that moment

Step 5: Right-click a component and select 'Add Motor' or 'Add Mate Controller'

- Graphics area or Motion Study PropertyManager

Motor or mate controller is added to control part movement

Step 6: Set motor speed or mate positions in the PropertyManager

- Motor or Mate Controller settings panel

Movement parameters are applied to the component

Step 7: Click the Calculate button

- Motion Study toolbar

SolidWorks calculates the motion and updates the animation

Step 8: Click Play to watch the motion simulation

- Motion Study playback controls

Assembly parts move according to the defined motions on screen

Before vs After

Before

Assembly shows all parts fixed in place with no movement

After

Assembly parts move smoothly according to motors and mates over the timeline

Settings Reference

Motion Study Type

📍 Motion Study PropertyManager

Choose the level of motion simulation detail and physics

Default: Animation

Motor Speed

📍 Motor PropertyManager

Set how fast a motor moves a component

Default: 0

Timeline Duration

📍 Motion Study timeline bar

Set how long the motion study runs

Default: 10 seconds

Calculate

📍 Motion Study toolbar

Run the motion simulation to update the animation

Default: Not calculated

Common Mistakes

Not clicking Calculate before playing the motion study

The motion will not update and parts will not move

Always click Calculate after setting motions to see the updated animation

Using 'Animation' type when physics-based motion is needed

'Animation' does not simulate forces or collisions accurately

Use 'Basic Motion' or 'Motion Analysis' for realistic physics simulation

Adding motors to parts without mates

Parts may move in unexpected ways without constraints

Add proper mates to control part movement before adding motors

Summary

Assembly motion study lets you simulate how parts move together in your design

You add motors and mates to control movement and use the timeline to set motion over time

Remember to calculate the motion before playing to see the correct animation

Practice

1. What is the main purpose of an assembly motion study in SolidWorks?

easy

A. To visualize how parts move together in an assembly

B. To create 3D models from 2D sketches

C. To generate technical drawings automatically

D. To calculate the weight of individual parts

Solution

1. Step 1: Understand the function of motion study

   Assembly motion study is used to see how parts move and interact in an assembly.

2. Step 2: Compare options with this function

   Only To visualize how parts move together in an assembly describes visualizing part movement, which matches the purpose.

3. Final Answer:

   To visualize how parts move together in an assembly -> Option A

4. Quick Check:

   Assembly motion study = visualize part movement [OK]

Hint: Think: motion study means showing movement [OK]

Common Mistakes:

• Confusing motion study with drawing creation
• Thinking it calculates weight or mass
• Assuming it creates 3D models from sketches

2. Which of the following is the correct first step to create a motion study in SolidWorks?

easy

A. Open the Motion Study tab at the bottom of the assembly window

B. Export the assembly as a STEP file

C. Create a new part file

D. Run a simulation analysis from the Simulation tab

Solution

1. Step 1: Identify how to start a motion study

   Motion studies are started by selecting the Motion Study tab in the assembly interface.

2. Step 2: Eliminate unrelated options

   Exporting files, creating parts, or running simulation analysis are not the first step for motion studies.

3. Final Answer:

   Open the Motion Study tab at the bottom of the assembly window -> Option A

4. Quick Check:

   Start motion study = open Motion Study tab [OK]

Hint: Look for the Motion Study tab in the assembly window [OK]

Common Mistakes:

• Trying to export files before starting motion study
• Confusing motion study with simulation analysis
• Starting with a new part instead of assembly

3. Given this simple motion study setup: a gear rotates 90 degrees over 5 seconds. What is the angular velocity in degrees per second?

medium

A. 450 degrees per second

B. 90 degrees per second

C. 18 degrees per second

D. 0.18 degrees per second

Solution

1. Step 1: Identify total rotation and time

   The gear rotates 90 degrees in 5 seconds.

2. Step 2: Calculate angular velocity

   Angular velocity = total rotation / time = 90 / 5 = 18 degrees per second.

3. Final Answer:

   18 degrees per second -> Option C

4. Quick Check:

   90° ÷ 5s = 18°/s [OK]

Hint: Divide total degrees by total seconds for velocity [OK]

Common Mistakes:

• Multiplying instead of dividing degrees by time
• Confusing degrees with radians
• Ignoring the time duration

4. You created a motion study but the parts do not move as expected. Which of these is the most likely cause?

medium

A. The computer does not have enough RAM

B. The assembly file is saved in the wrong folder

C. The parts are missing color textures

D. The mates between parts are not properly defined

Solution

1. Step 1: Identify what controls part movement

   Part movement depends on mates that define how parts connect and move relative to each other.

2. Step 2: Evaluate other options

   File location, colors, or RAM do not directly affect motion study movement.

3. Final Answer:

   The mates between parts are not properly defined -> Option D

4. Quick Check:

   Movement depends on mates = correct mates needed [OK]

Hint: Check mates first if parts don't move [OK]

Common Mistakes:

• Blaming file location for motion issues
• Thinking textures affect movement
• Assuming hardware issues cause no movement

5. You want to simulate a door opening in an assembly. Which combination of steps will best create a realistic motion study?

hard

A. Use the explode tool to separate the door from the frame

B. Add a hinge mate, set rotation limits, and apply a motor to rotate the door

C. Create a new part for the door, then run a stress analysis

D. Add a fixed mate, color the door, and export as animation

Solution

1. Step 1: Define realistic movement with mates

   A hinge mate allows rotation like a real door hinge.

2. Step 2: Control motion and automate it

   Rotation limits prevent unrealistic movement; a motor applies controlled rotation.

3. Step 3: Eliminate incorrect options

   Fixed mates prevent movement; coloring or exploding parts do not simulate motion realistically.

4. Final Answer:

   Add a hinge mate, set rotation limits, and apply a motor to rotate the door -> Option B

5. Quick Check:

   Hinge + limits + motor = realistic door motion [OK]

Hint: Use hinge mate plus motor for rotating parts [OK]

Common Mistakes:

• Using fixed mates that block movement
• Confusing explode tool with motion simulation
• Skipping rotation limits causing unrealistic motion