Lesson goal
Run a first stress analysis on a part with SimulationXpress, without a simulation license, and know how to read the results.
4 videos
1 exercise
Beginner
No prerequisite
1. Watch the videos
Dassault Systèmes videos hosted on MySolidWorks: they open in a new tab and a free account is enough. Watch them in order.
Introduction to SimulationXpressCalculate the deformation of a part under a force or a pressure.↗ SimulationXpress: Applying Fixtures, Loads, MaterialsDefine the supports, the loads and the material of the part.↗ SimulationXpress: Running a Study and Analyzing ResultsSet the mesh, run the analysis, display stresses, displacements and factor of safety.↗ SimulationXpress: Optimizing a DesignVary a dimension to reach a target factor of safety or stress.↗
2. Key takeaways
SimulationXpress is included in every SOLIDWORKS license: it handles a single part, in linear static analysis.
A correct analysis starts with realistic fixtures and loads: this is where most errors happen.
The factor of safety compares the calculated stress to the yield strength of the material: below 1, the part yields.
The results of a linear analysis are only valid as long as the part stays in the elastic range and deforms little.
Tip
Always look at the exaggerated deformed shape before the stress colors: if the part does not move the way you expect, the fixtures are wrong.
3. Do the exercise
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