Physics Fun with Jamie: Best Practices for Workflows in SOLIDWORKS FEA

Welcome back to “Physics Fun with Jamie”. SOLIDWORKS FEA (Finite Element Analysis) is a powerful tool that can help engineers simulate and analyze the behavior of their designs under different load and boundary conditions. Creating a workflow in SOLIDWORKS FEA can make the simulation process more efficient and effective. In this tech tip, we will discuss the steps to create a workflow in SOLIDWORKS FEA.

1. Define the problem and boundary conditions: The first step in creating a workflow in SOLIDWORKS FEA is to define the problem and boundary conditions. This includes selecting the type of analysis to be performed, setting up the material properties, defining the geometry, and applying the load and boundary conditions.
2. Create a mesh: After defining the problem and boundary conditions, the next step is to create a mesh. The mesh is a network of interconnected elements that represent the geometry of the model. A well-constructed mesh is important for accurate and efficient analysis. SOLIDWORKS FEA provides several options for creating a mesh, including automatic meshing, manual meshing, and mesh refinement.
3. Run the analysis: Once the mesh is created, the next step is to run the analysis. SOLIDWORKS FEA provides several options for solving the analysis, including linear static analysis, nonlinear analysis, and dynamic analysis. The analysis results provide information about the stress, displacement, and strain in the model.
4. Interpret the results: After the analysis is complete, the final step is to interpret the results. SOLIDWORKS FEA provides several options for visualizing the results, including contour plots, stress plots, and deformation plots. The results can be used to identify areas of high stress, deformation, or strain, and to optimize the design to meet the required performance criteria.

In conclusion, creating a workflow in SOLIDWORKS FEA can help streamline the simulation process and improve the accuracy and efficiency of the analysis. By following the steps outlined above, engineers can define the problem and boundary conditions, create a mesh, run the analysis, and interpret the results. With these tools at their disposal, engineers can design and test their products with confidence. To learn more, check out the rest of “Physics Fun with Jamie” blog series.