SOLIDWORKS Motion Course Overview

The SOLIDWORKS Motion course is specifically designed for new users of SOLIDWORKS Motion who wish to learn how to perform motion analysis on their designs. This course offers an in-depth exploration of the basics of building, simulating, and refining a mechanical design system, making it ideal for users aiming to quickly become proficient in using SOLIDWORKS Motion. Over the span of two days, participants will learn how to use the SOLIDWORKS Motion simulation package to study the kinematics and dynamic behavior of SOLIDWORKS assembly models.

Skills Learned:

Simulate the physical behavior of assemblies under real-world conditions.
Modify assembly mates to accurately simulate operational movements.
Check for interference and apply friction coefficients between components.
Define damper springs and use expressions to prescribe the magnitude of forces, torque, and motors.
Create a CAM profile to drive motion and apply motion-specific mates such as bushing mates.
Export load calculations from SOLIDWORKS Motion to FEA Simulation for further analysis.
Create event-based simulations incorporating sensors, timing, and servo motors.

Course Duration

2 Days (7 hours/day)

Prerequisites

SOLIDWORKS Essentials Course

Basics of the SOLIDWORKS MotionManager is required

The class instructor will send you a self-paced MotionManager lesson upon request

Course Examples

Function Builder

Use mathematical expressions to drive motors and plot motor position, velocity, acceleration, & jerk

Importing Data Points & Trace Path

Work with imported data to define trace paths

Piston & Camshaft Analysis

Determine position, velocity, angular velocity, acceleration and more

Time Key & Event Triggers

Set time keys to trigger multi-stage events. Learn dampers, and gear meshing

Motion Optimization

Optimize motors and designs for range of motion, speed, and forces

Multi-Physics Motion & FEA

Leverage forces from motion to drive FEA analysis

SOLIDWORKS Motion Course Syllabus

Lesson 1: Introduction to Motion Simulation and Forces

Basic Motion Analysis
Case Study: Car Jack Analysis

Driving Motion
Gravity

Forces

Understanding Forces
Applied Forces
Force Definition
Force Direction

Results

Plot Categories
Sub-Categories
Resizing Plots

Exercise 1: 3D Fourbar Linkage

Lesson 2: Building a Motion Model and Post-processing

Creating Local Mates
Case Study: Crank Slider Analysis
Mates

Concentric Mate
Hinge Mate
Point-to-Point Coincident Mate
Lock Mate
Two Face-to-Face Coincident Mates
Universal Mate
Screw Mate
Point-on-Axis Coincident Mate
Parallel Mate
Perpendicular Mate

Local Mates

Function Builder
Importing Data Points

Power

Alternative Units

Plotting Kinematic Results

Absolute vs. Relative Values
Output Coordinate System
Angular Displacement Plots
Angular Velocity and Acceleration Plots

Exercise 2: Piston
Exercise 3: Trace Path

Lesson 3: Introduction to Contacts, Springs and Dampers

Contact and Friction
Case Study: Catapult

Interference Detection

Contact
Contact groups
Contact Friction
Translational Spring

Magnitude of Spring Force

Translational Damper
Post-processing
Analysis with Friction (Optional)
Exercise 4: The Bug
Exercise 5: Door Closer

Lesson 4: Advanced Contact

Latch Forces
Case Study: Trailer Hitch

Fixing Motion with Motors
Motor Input and Force Input Types
Functional Expressions
Force Functions

STEP Function
Contact: Solid Bodies

Poisson Model (Restitution Coefficient)
Impact Force Model

Geometrical Description of Contacts

Tessellated Geometry
Precise Geometry

Integrators

GSTIFF
WSTIFF
SI2_GSTIFF
Closing Force

Exercise 6: Latching Assembly
Exercise 7: Hatchback
Exercise 8: Conveyor Belt (No Friction)
Path Mate Motor
Exercise 9: Conveyor Belt (With Friction)

Lesson 5: Curve to Curve Contact

Contact Forces
Case Study: Geneva Mechanism
Curve to Curve Contact
Solid Bodies vs. Curve to Curve Contact
Solid Bodies Contact Solution
Exercise 10: Conveyor Belt (Curve to curve contact with friction)

Lesson 6: Cam Synthesis

Case Study: Cam Synthesis

Generating a Cam Profile

Trace Path
Exporting Trace Path Curves

Cycle Based Motion

Exercise 11: Desmodromic Cam
Exercise 12: Rocker Cam Profile

Lesson 7: Motion Optimization

Motion Optimization
Case Study: Medical Examination Chair
Sensors

Design Studies
Parameters

Optimization Analysis

Global Variables

Lesson 8: Flexible Joints

Flexible Joints
Case Study: System with Rigid Joints

Calculation of Wheel Input Motion
Understanding Toe Angles

System with Flexible Joints

Lesson 9: Redundancies

Redundancies

What are Redundancies?
Effects of Redundancies
How are Redundancies Removed in the Solver?

Case Study: Door Hinges

Degrees of Freedom Calculation
Total Actual and Estimated DOF
Using Flexible Joints Option to Remove Redundancies
Limitations of Flexible Mates
Bushing Properties

How to Check For Redundancies
Typical Redundant Mechanisms

Dual Actuators Driving a Part
Parallel Linkages

Exercise 13: Dynamic Systems
Exercise 14: Dynamic Systems 2
Exercise 15: Kinematic Mechanism
Exercise 16: Zero Redundancy Model-Part 1
Exercise 17: Zero Redundancy Model-Part 2 (Optional)
Exercise 18: Removing Redundancies with Bushings
Exercise 19: Catapult

Lesson 10: Export to FEA

Exporting Results
Case Study: Drive Shaft

FEA Export
Load Bearing Faces
Mate Location

Export of Loads

SOLIDWORKS Simulation Users Only

Direct Solution in SOLIDWORKS Motion
Exercise 20: Export to FEA

Lesson 11: Event Based Simulation

Event Based Simulation
Case Study: Sorting Device
Servo Motors
Sensors
Task
Exercise 21: Packaging Assembly

Lesson 12: Design Project (Optional)

Case Study: Surgical Shear - Part 1

Force to Cut the Catheter

Self Guided Problem - Part 1
Self Guided Problem - Part 2
Problem Solution - Part 1
Creating the Force Function

Force to Cut the Catheter
Creating the Force Expression

Force Expression

IF Statement
Developing the Expression

Case Study: Surgical Shear - Part 2