Interference check in assemblies in Solidworks - Step-by-Step Guide

Introduction

Interference check helps you find where parts in an assembly overlap or collide. This solves problems before building or manufacturing by showing where parts do not fit together properly.

When you want to make sure two parts in your assembly do not occupy the same space.

When you add new components and want to check if they clash with existing parts.

Before finalizing a design to avoid costly errors in production.

When you want to verify that moving parts do not interfere during operation.

When assembling complex machines with many parts to ensure proper fit.

Steps

Step 1: Open your assembly file

- SolidWorks main window

The assembly model appears on screen with all parts visible

Step 2: Click on the Evaluate tab

- CommandManager toolbar

Evaluation tools become visible including Interference Detection

Step 3: Click Interference Detection

- Evaluate tab

Interference Detection dialog box opens

Step 4: Select the components to check or leave all selected

- Interference Detection dialog box

Selected parts are ready for interference analysis

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

- Interference Detection dialog box

The check will include interferences inside multibody parts

Step 6: Click Calculate

- Interference Detection dialog box

SolidWorks analyzes the assembly and lists all interferences found

Step 7: Click each interference in the list to highlight it in the model

- Interference Detection dialog box

The interfering parts are highlighted in red in the assembly view

Before vs After

Before

Assembly shows all parts overlapping visually but no interference report

After

Interference Detection dialog lists 3 interferences and highlights them in red on the model

Settings Reference

Include multibody part interferences

📍 Interference Detection dialog box

Decides if interferences inside multibody parts are included in the check

Default: Unchecked

Treat coincidence as interference

📍 Interference Detection dialog box

Includes faces that just touch as interference

Default: Unchecked

Components to check

📍 Interference Detection dialog box

Defines which parts of the assembly are analyzed

Default: All components

Common Mistakes

Not selecting the correct components for interference check

You may miss interferences if some parts are excluded

Always verify the selection includes all relevant parts before running the check

Ignoring the 'Include multibody part interferences' option

Interferences inside complex parts may be missed

Enable this option if your assembly has multibody parts to get a complete check

Confusing touching faces with interference

Treating coincidence as interference can cause false positives

Use the 'Treat coincidence as interference' option carefully based on your design needs

Summary

Interference check finds overlapping parts in assemblies to prevent design errors.

Use the Evaluate tab and Interference Detection tool to run the check.

Select all relevant parts and options for a complete and accurate result.

Practice

1. What is the main purpose of the Interference Check tool in SolidWorks assemblies?

easy

A. To find overlapping or colliding parts in an assembly

B. To measure the weight of the assembly

C. To create exploded views of the assembly

D. To generate a bill of materials

Solution

1. Step 1: Understand the function of Interference Check

   The Interference Check tool is designed to detect if any parts in an assembly overlap or collide.

2. Step 2: Compare with other options

   Measuring weight, creating exploded views, and generating bills of materials are different tools and functions in SolidWorks.

3. Final Answer:

   To find overlapping or colliding parts in an assembly -> Option A

4. Quick Check:

   Interference Check = Find overlapping parts [OK]

Hint: Interference Check = find collisions between parts [OK]

Common Mistakes:

• Confusing interference check with weight measurement
• Thinking it creates exploded views
• Assuming it generates bills of materials

2. Which of the following is the correct sequence to start an interference check in a SolidWorks assembly?

easy

A. Go to Evaluate tab > Click Interference Detection > Select components > Run check

B. Go to Features tab > Click Interference Detection > Select components > Run check

C. Go to Sketch tab > Click Interference Detection > Select components > Run check

D. Go to Insert tab > Click Interference Detection > Select components > Run check

Solution

1. Step 1: Locate Interference Detection tool in SolidWorks

   The Interference Detection tool is found under the Evaluate tab in the assembly environment.

2. Step 2: Confirm the correct workflow

   The correct steps are to go to Evaluate tab, click Interference Detection, select components, then run the check.

3. Final Answer:

   Go to Evaluate tab > Click Interference Detection > Select components > Run check -> Option A

4. Quick Check:

   Evaluate tab contains Interference Detection [OK]

Hint: Interference check is under Evaluate tab in assemblies [OK]

Common Mistakes:

• Looking for Interference Detection under Features tab
• Searching in Sketch or Insert tabs
• Skipping component selection before running check

3. Consider an assembly with three parts: Part A, Part B, and Part C. You run an interference check selecting all parts. The tool reports 2 interferences. Which of the following is a possible explanation?

medium

A. No parts overlap; the tool is malfunctioning

B. Part A overlaps with Part B only, Part C is separate

C. Part A overlaps with Part B and Part B overlaps with Part C

D. All three parts overlap in one single interference

Solution

1. Step 1: Understand interference count meaning

   Each interference reported corresponds to a unique overlapping pair or group of parts.

2. Step 2: Analyze the options

   If there are 2 interferences, it means two separate overlaps exist, such as Part A with Part B and Part B with Part C.

3. Final Answer:

   Part A overlaps with Part B and Part B overlaps with Part C -> Option C

4. Quick Check:

   2 interferences = 2 overlapping pairs [OK]

Hint: Number of interferences = number of overlapping pairs [OK]

Common Mistakes:

• Assuming one interference means all parts overlap
• Thinking zero interferences means overlaps exist
• Confusing interference count with number of parts

4. You run an interference check but the tool reports no interferences even though you see parts visibly overlapping. What is the most likely cause?

medium

A. The parts are touching but not overlapping

B. You forgot to select all components before running the check

C. Interference check only works on parts, not assemblies

D. The assembly is corrupted and needs repair

Solution

1. Step 1: Verify component selection for interference check

   The interference check only analyzes selected components. If some parts are not selected, overlaps may be missed.

2. Step 2: Evaluate other options

   Assembly corruption is rare and would cause errors, not silent misses. The tool works on assemblies. Touching parts do not count as interference.

3. Final Answer:

   You forgot to select all components before running the check -> Option B

4. Quick Check:

   All parts must be selected for interference check [OK]

Hint: Always select all parts before running interference check [OK]

Common Mistakes:

• Assuming touching parts cause interference
• Ignoring component selection step
• Blaming assembly corruption without evidence

5. You have an assembly with multiple moving parts. You want to check if any parts interfere during motion. Which approach should you use in SolidWorks to detect interferences throughout the motion?

hard

A. Run Interference Check on the static assembly only

B. Export parts and check interference in a separate CAD tool

C. Manually inspect each position without using tools

D. Use the Motion Study with Collision Detection enabled

Solution

1. Step 1: Understand interference check limitations

   The standard Interference Check runs on static assemblies and does not analyze motion.

2. Step 2: Use Motion Study with Collision Detection

   SolidWorks Motion Study allows simulating movement and detecting collisions dynamically during motion.

3. Step 3: Evaluate other options

   Exporting parts or manual inspection is inefficient and error-prone compared to built-in motion collision detection.

4. Final Answer:

   Use the Motion Study with Collision Detection enabled -> Option D

5. Quick Check:

   Motion Study + Collision Detection = dynamic interference check [OK]

Hint: Use Motion Study with collision detection for moving parts [OK]

Common Mistakes:

• Running interference check only on static assembly
• Ignoring motion and collisions during movement
• Relying on manual inspection instead of tools