Interference detection in Solidworks - Step-by-Step Guide

Introduction

Interference detection helps you find where parts in your 3D model overlap or clash. This feature solves the problem of parts incorrectly fitting together, which can cause issues in manufacturing or assembly.

When you want to check if two parts in an assembly overlap before building.

When you need to ensure that moving parts do not collide during operation.

When verifying that added components fit without interfering with existing ones.

When preparing a model for 3D printing to avoid errors caused by overlapping geometry.

When reviewing a design to catch errors early and reduce costly rework.

Steps

Step 1: Open your assembly file

- SolidWorks main window

Your full assembly model appears on screen

Step 2: Click the Evaluate tab

- CommandManager toolbar

Evaluation tools become visible

Step 3: Click Interference Detection

- Evaluate tab

Interference Detection dialog box opens

Step 4: Select the components to check

- Interference Detection dialog box

Selected components are highlighted in the graphics area

💡 Select the entire assembly or specific parts to narrow the check

Step 5: Check the option 'Include multibody part interferences' if needed

- Interference Detection dialog box

The tool will check inside parts with multiple bodies for clashes

Step 6: Click Calculate

- Interference Detection dialog box

The tool analyzes and lists all detected interferences

Step 7: Click each interference in the list

- Interference Detection dialog box

The interfering areas highlight in the model for easy review

Before vs After

Before

Assembly shows all parts with no visual indication of clashes

After

Interference Detection lists 3 clashes and highlights overlapping areas in red

Settings Reference

Include multibody part interferences

📍 Interference Detection dialog box

Decides if the tool checks inside parts that have multiple solid bodies

Default: Unchecked

Treat coincidence as interference

📍 Interference Detection dialog box

Includes touching faces as interference if checked

Default: Unchecked

Components to check

📍 Interference Detection dialog box

Defines which parts the tool analyzes for interference

Default: Entire assembly

Common Mistakes

Not selecting the correct components before running interference detection

The tool only checks selected parts, so missing parts means missed clashes

Always verify which components are selected in the dialog before calculating

Ignoring the 'Include multibody part interferences' option

Overlapping bodies inside a single part will not be detected if unchecked

Enable this option when your parts have multiple solid bodies

Confusing touching faces with interference

By default, touching faces are not treated as interference, so some clashes may be missed

Check 'Treat coincidence as interference' if you want to include touching faces

Summary

Interference detection finds overlapping parts in your assembly to prevent design errors.

You can select specific parts or the whole assembly to check for clashes.

Remember to adjust settings like multibody checks and coincidence treatment for accurate results.

Practice

1.

What is the main purpose of interference detection in SolidWorks assemblies?

easy

A. To create exploded views automatically

B. To measure the weight of the assembly

C. To calculate the cost of materials

D. To find overlapping parts that may cause design issues

Solution

1. Step 1: Understand interference detection function

   Interference detection checks if parts overlap or interfere in an assembly.

2. Step 2: Identify the main goal

   The goal is to find overlapping parts that could cause problems in design or manufacturing.

3. Final Answer:

   To find overlapping parts that may cause design issues -> Option D

4. Quick Check:

   Interference detection = Find overlapping parts [OK]

Hint: Interference detection finds overlapping parts fast [OK]

Common Mistakes:

• Confusing interference detection with cost calculation
• Thinking it measures weight or creates views
• Assuming it fixes the design automatically

2.

Which of the following is the correct step to start interference detection in SolidWorks?

Assembly > Evaluate > Interference Detection

easy

A. Open the drawing, then go to View tab and select Interference Detection

B. Open the part, then go to Features tab and select Interference Detection

C. Open the assembly, then go to Evaluate tab and select Interference Detection

D. Open the assembly, then go to Insert tab and select Interference Detection

Solution

1. Step 1: Locate Interference Detection in SolidWorks UI

   Interference Detection is found under the Evaluate tab in an assembly document.

2. Step 2: Confirm correct workflow

   You must open an assembly, then go to Evaluate > Interference Detection to start the tool.

3. Final Answer:

   Open the assembly, then go to Evaluate tab and select Interference Detection -> Option C

4. Quick Check:

   Evaluate tab in assembly = Interference Detection start [OK]

Hint: Start interference detection from Evaluate tab in assembly [OK]

Common Mistakes:

• Trying to run interference detection in part or drawing mode
• Looking under Insert or Features tabs incorrectly
• Not opening an assembly first

3.

Given an assembly with three parts where Part A overlaps Part B by 2 mm and Part B overlaps Part C by 0 mm, what will the interference detection report?

medium

A. It will report interference between all three parts

B. It will report interference between Part A and Part B only

C. It will report interference between Part B and Part C only

D. It will report no interference at all

Solution

1. Step 1: Analyze overlap distances

   Part A overlaps Part B by 2 mm, so interference exists there. Part B and Part C have 0 mm overlap, so no interference.

2. Step 2: Determine interference report

   Interference detection reports only actual overlaps, so it reports interference between Part A and Part B only.

3. Final Answer:

   It will report interference between Part A and Part B only -> Option B

4. Quick Check:

   Overlap > 0 mm = interference reported [OK]

Hint: Only overlapping parts show interference [OK]

Common Mistakes:

• Assuming zero overlap counts as interference
• Thinking all parts interfere regardless of distance
• Confusing interference with proximity

4.

In SolidWorks interference detection, a user runs the tool but no interferences are found, yet parts visibly overlap. What is the most likely cause?

medium

A. The user forgot to check 'Include Coincident Faces' option

B. The assembly file is corrupted and cannot detect interference

C. The parts are in different configurations

D. The interference detection tool only works on parts, not assemblies

Solution

1. Step 1: Understand interference detection options

   Interference detection has an option 'Include Coincident Faces' that detects touching or overlapping faces.

2. Step 2: Identify why visible overlap is missed

   If this option is unchecked, touching or coincident faces may not be reported as interference, causing missed detection.

3. Final Answer:

   The user forgot to check 'Include Coincident Faces' option -> Option A

4. Quick Check:

   Include Coincident Faces option affects detection [OK]

Hint: Check 'Include Coincident Faces' to catch touching overlaps [OK]

Common Mistakes:

• Assuming file corruption causes detection failure
• Thinking interference detection works only on parts
• Ignoring configuration differences

5.

You have a complex assembly with multiple subassemblies. You want to detect interference only between parts in different subassemblies, ignoring interferences inside each subassembly. How can you configure interference detection to achieve this?

hard

A. Use the 'Treat Subassemblies as Parts' option to detect interference only between subassemblies

B. Run interference detection separately on each subassembly and combine results manually

C. Disable interference detection and use collision detection instead

D. Use the 'Include Coincident Faces' option to filter interferences inside subassemblies

Solution

1. Step 1: Understand subassembly interference options

   SolidWorks interference detection has an option 'Treat Subassemblies as Parts' which treats each subassembly as a single part.

2. Step 2: Apply option to detect only between subassemblies

   By enabling this option, interference detection ignores internal interferences inside subassemblies and reports only between subassemblies.

3. Final Answer:

   Use the 'Treat Subassemblies as Parts' option to detect interference only between subassemblies -> Option A

4. Quick Check:

   'Treat Subassemblies as Parts' filters internal interferences [OK]

Hint: Enable 'Treat Subassemblies as Parts' to focus on inter-subassembly interference [OK]

Common Mistakes:

• Running detection separately and missing combined interferences
• Confusing collision detection with interference detection
• Misusing 'Include Coincident Faces' for this purpose