SolidWorks SimulationXpress is design analysis software fully integrated with SolidWorks that simulates testing a part prototype under working conditions. It helps evaluate how safe, efficient, and economical a design is. The process involves building a SolidWorks model, manufacturing a prototype, testing it under loads, and modifying the design in SolidWorks until satisfied. Analysis reduces design cycles, costs by simulating tests, and time to market. It uses the finite element method to subdivide a model into simple elements and solve problems too complex for analytical solutions. Common analyses include static stress analysis to calculate displacements, strains, stresses, and reaction forces.

1. Introduction to SOLIDWORKS
SimulationXpress

2. Tasos Lazaridis
Electrical Engineer – Design Engineer
tasoslazaridis13@gmail.com

3. What is SolidWorks SimulationXpress?
 SolidWorks SimulationXpress is a design
analysis software that is fully integrated in
SolidWorks.
 SolidWorks SimulationXpress simulates the
testing of your part’s prototype in its working
environment. It can help you answer questions
like: how safe, efficient, and economical is your
design?

4. The Procedure using SolidWorks
SimulationXpress
 Use SolidWorks to build the model.
 Manufacture a prototype.
 Test the prototype under various loading
conditions. Instrumentation is needed in most
cases.
 Based on results, modify the model in
SolidWorks, build a new prototype, and test it
again until you are satisfied.

5. The Procedure using SoliWorks
SimulationXpress
Satisfied
?
SOLIDWORKS
Prototype
Test
Mass Production
Yes
No

6. Benefits of Analysis
 Design cycles are expensive and time-
consuming.
 Analysis reduces the number of design cycles.
 Analysis reduces cost by testing your model
using the computer instead of expensive field
tests.
 Analysis reduces time to market.
 Analysis can help you optimize your designs by
quickly simulating many concepts and scenarios
before making a final decision.

7. The Finite Element Method (FEM)

8. The Finite Element Method
 Analytical solutions are only available for
simple problems. They make many
assumptions and fail to solve most practical
problems.
 SolidWorks SimulationXpress uses the Finite
Element Method (FEM). Analysis using the
FEM is called Finite Element Analysis (FEA)
or Design Analysis.

9. The Finite Element Method
 FEA is very general. It can be used to solve
simple and complex problems.
 FEA is well-suited for computer
implementation. It is universally recognized as
the preferred method of analysis.

10. Main Concept of Design Analysis
The FEM replaces a complex problem by
many simple problems. It subdivides the
model into many small pieces of simple shapes
called elements.

11. Static or Stress Analysis
 This is the most common type of analysis.
 It calculates displacements, strains, stresses, and
reaction forces.
 SimulationXpress uses von Mises stress analysis
 A material fails when the stress reaches the
material’s Yield Strength

12. Static or Stress Analysis

13. Static or Stress Analysis

14. Analysis Steps
1.Assign materials. What is the part made of?
•If there material is not listed you will have to create that
material
•The most important property is Yield Strength
2.Specify restraints. Which faces are fixed and do
not move?
•You must have at least one restraint

15. Analysis Steps
3.Apply loads. Where are the forces or
pressures acting on the part?
4.Run the analysis.
5.View the results. What is the factor of
safety? What are the resultant
displacements or stresses?

16. Understanding the Analysis
 The Analysis is just a reference to what to
expect and does not yield a absolute trust worthy
value.
 The analysis should be used as a guide to your
design and give a starting point for testing.
 Use “factor of safety” to take into account
uncertainties and give your design a safe load
rating.
 Confirm this rating by actual testing of the real
part.

17. Understanding the Analysis
Factor of Safety (FOS) is simple how over or under
design a part is expressed as a number.
•A number Larger then 1: Over-designed and safe
•A number equal to 1: designed right at the breaking point
•A number smaller then 1: Under-designed and will break
FOS =
The maximum load the design can handle
The load applied to the design in the analysis

18. How to use SimulatonXpress
Suppose that we have already design a part. In this
case, a Beer bottle Opener.

19. How to use SimulatonXpress
 Click Tools >> Xpress Products >>
SimulationXpress Alalysis Wizard.

20. How to use SimulatonXpress
 Click Next to start use SimulationXpress

21. How to use SimulatonXpress
 Click Add a fixture and choose some faces from
your part.

22. How to use SimulatonXpress
 Click Next to add forces or pressure

23. How to use SimulatonXpress
 Click Next and then click Choose a material to
add material.
 Choose a material from the list, click Apply and
Close.

24. How to use SimulatonXpress

25. How to use SimulatonXpress
 Click Next
 The model is ready to solve
 You can solve using the default settings or you
can adjust them to better suite your needs.
 Click Run Simulation

26. How to use SimulatonXpress

27. How to use SimulatonXpress
Examine the animation of the part’s response to
verify that the correct loads and fixtures were
applied.
If the part deform as you expected click Yes,
Continue
Else Click No, Return to Loads/Fixtures to add
Loads and Fixtures again.

28. How to use SimulatonXpress

29. How to use SimulatonXpress
View the Results.
Click Show von Mises stress and Show
displacements to see the diagrams.
See also the lowest Factor of Safety (FOS) found
in your design

30. How to use SimulatonXpress

31. How to use SimulatonXpress

32. How to use SimulatonXpress

33. How to use SimulatonXpress
Click Done viewing results.
Then you can generate a report in MS Word or
generate eDrawings files.
Click Next to optimize your design, or click the
exit button to end SimulationXpress.
You will be asked if you want to save Simulation’s
data.

34. Bibliography
 http://www.solidworks.com/pages/programs/Si
mulationXpress/
 SOLIDWORKS ESSENTIALS – SOLIDWORKS 2016
TRAINING