Running simulation and interpreting results in Solidworks - Step-by-Step Guide

Introduction

This feature helps you test how a design behaves under real conditions by running a simulation. It shows you results like stress, displacement, or temperature so you can understand if your design works well or needs changes.

When you want to check if a part can handle the forces it will face in real life.

When you need to see how much a structure will bend or move under load.

When you want to find weak spots in your design before making a physical prototype.

When you want to compare different design options to pick the best one.

When you need to verify if your design meets safety or performance standards.

Steps

Step 1: Open your part or assembly file

- SolidWorks main window

Your design model appears on the screen

Step 2: Click 'Simulation' tab

- CommandManager toolbar

Simulation tools and options become visible

Step 3: Click 'New Study'

- Simulation tab

A dialog opens to select the type of simulation

Step 4: Select the simulation type (e.g., Static, Thermal)

- New Study dialog

The study is created and appears in the Simulation study tree

Step 5: Apply material properties to your model

- Simulation study tree → right-click part → Apply Material

Material properties are assigned, affecting simulation results

Step 6: Define fixtures (constraints) and loads

- Simulation tab → Fixtures and External Loads

Your model is fixed and loaded as it would be in real life

Step 7: Click 'Run' to start the simulation

- Simulation tab

Simulation runs and results are calculated and displayed

Step 8: View results like stress, displacement, or factor of safety

- Simulation study results panel

Color-coded visual maps and numeric values show how your design performs

Before vs After

Before

Model shows no information about how it will behave under forces

After

Model displays color maps of stress and displacement with numeric values, highlighting weak areas

Settings Reference

Simulation Type

📍 New Study dialog

Choose the kind of physical behavior to simulate

Default: Static

Material Properties

📍 Simulation study tree → right-click part → Apply Material

Assign physical properties like strength and elasticity

Default: None

Fixtures

📍 Simulation tab → Fixtures

Define how the model is held or supported

Default: None

External Loads

📍 Simulation tab → External Loads

Apply forces or conditions acting on the model

Default: None

Common Mistakes

Not applying material properties before running simulation

Simulation results will be inaccurate because the software does not know the material behavior

Always assign correct material properties to your parts before running the simulation

Forgetting to define fixtures or loads

The model will either not simulate correctly or show unrealistic results

Set all necessary constraints and loads to mimic real-world conditions

Running simulation on a very complex model without simplifying

Simulation may take too long or fail due to high computational demand

Simplify the model by removing unnecessary details or use mesh controls to optimize

Summary

Running simulation tests how your design behaves under real conditions.

You must assign materials, fixtures, and loads for accurate results.

Results show stress and displacement to help improve your design.

Practice

1. What is the main purpose of running a simulation in SolidWorks before building a physical part?

easy

A. To test the design virtually and find potential problems early

B. To create a 3D model faster

C. To print the part automatically

D. To change the color of the design

Solution

1. Step 1: Understand simulation purpose

   Simulations help check how a design behaves under conditions without making a physical part.

2. Step 2: Identify benefits of early testing

   Finding problems early saves time and money by avoiding costly physical errors.

3. Final Answer:

   To test the design virtually and find potential problems early -> Option A

4. Quick Check:

   Simulation = early problem detection [OK]

Hint: Simulations find design issues before building [OK]

Common Mistakes:

• Thinking simulation creates physical parts
• Confusing simulation with 3D modeling speed
• Believing simulation changes design colors

2. Which of the following is the correct step to start a static simulation study in SolidWorks?

easy

A. Go to Simulation tab, click 'New Study', select 'Static', then click OK

B. Go to File menu, select 'Export', then choose 'Static Simulation'

C. Right-click the part and select 'Run Simulation' directly

D. Open the part and press Ctrl+S to start simulation

Solution

1. Step 1: Locate Simulation tab

   Simulation studies start from the Simulation tab in SolidWorks interface.

2. Step 2: Create new static study

   Select 'New Study', then choose 'Static' to analyze forces and stresses under steady loads.

3. Final Answer:

   Go to Simulation tab, click 'New Study', select 'Static', then click OK -> Option A

4. Quick Check:

   Simulation tab + New Study = start static study [OK]

Hint: Use Simulation tab > New Study > Static to start [OK]

Common Mistakes:

• Trying to export instead of creating study
• Right-click menu does not start simulation
• Saving file does not run simulation

3. After running a simulation, you see a color map showing red areas on your part. What does the red color usually indicate?

medium

A. Areas with the lowest stress

B. Areas that are not part of the simulation

C. Areas with no stress

D. Areas with the highest stress

Solution

1. Step 1: Understand color map meaning

   Simulation results use colors to show stress levels; red usually means high stress.

2. Step 2: Interpret red color

   Red areas are critical points where the part experiences maximum stress and risk of failure.

3. Final Answer:

   Areas with the highest stress -> Option D

4. Quick Check:

   Red color = high stress [OK]

Hint: Red means highest stress on the part [OK]

Common Mistakes:

• Confusing red with low stress
• Thinking red means no stress
• Ignoring color legend in results

4. You ran a simulation but the results show zero stress everywhere, which seems incorrect. What is the most likely cause?

medium

A. The part is too small to simulate

B. You forgot to apply loads or fixtures to the model

C. The simulation ran too long

D. You used the wrong color scheme

Solution

1. Step 1: Check simulation setup

   Stress results depend on applied loads and constraints; missing these causes zero stress.

2. Step 2: Identify missing inputs

   Without loads or fixtures, the part is free and unstressed, so results show zero everywhere.

3. Final Answer:

   You forgot to apply loads or fixtures to the model -> Option B

4. Quick Check:

   No loads = zero stress [OK]

Hint: Always apply loads and fixtures before running simulation [OK]

Common Mistakes:

• Assuming part size affects stress values directly
• Thinking simulation time affects stress results
• Blaming color scheme for zero stress

5. You want to improve a design after simulation shows high stress in a small area. Which approach is best to reduce stress based on simulation results?

hard

A. Remove all fixtures to let the part move freely

B. Change the material color to blue

C. Add fillets or rounds to smooth sharp corners in the high-stress area

D. Ignore the results and build the part as is

Solution

1. Step 1: Analyze high-stress area cause

   Sharp corners cause stress concentration; smoothing them reduces stress.

2. Step 2: Apply design improvement

   Adding fillets or rounds distributes stress more evenly and lowers peak stress.

3. Final Answer:

   Add fillets or rounds to smooth sharp corners in the high-stress area -> Option C

4. Quick Check:

   Smoothing corners reduces stress [OK]

Hint: Smooth sharp corners to lower stress [OK]

Common Mistakes:

• Changing color does not affect stress
• Removing fixtures causes unrealistic results
• Ignoring simulation feedback wastes improvement chance