In the fast-moving world of engineering and manufacturing, designing a product is only the beginning. The real challenge lies in ensuring that it will perform safely, reliably, and efficiently in real-world conditions — before it's even built.
This is where SOLIDWORKS Simulation comes into play. As an integrated suite of Finite Element Analysis (FEA) tools inside SOLIDWORKS, this software allows engineers and product designers to test and validate their 3D models virtually. The result? Smarter decisions, better designs, and a shorter time-to-market.
Let’s dive into what makes SOLIDWORKS Simulation an indispensable part of modern product development.
What is SOLIDWORKS Simulation?
SOLIDWORKS Simulation is a powerful simulation suite developed by Dassault Systèmes, designed to test your product designs digitally. By simulating forces like stress, strain, heat, motion, and vibration, it helps you predict product behavior in real-world scenarios.
Integrated directly into the SOLIDWORKS 3D CAD interface, Simulation removes the need to export models or rely on third-party software — streamlining the design and validation process.
Why Simulation is a Game-Changer
Traditionally, physical prototyping was the only way to validate a product. But it’s time-consuming, expensive, and limited in scope. Virtual simulation offers a smarter approach:
-
Reduces physical prototyping costs
-
Identifies design flaws early
-
Improves product quality
-
Accelerates development cycles
-
Optimizes material usage
Core Types of Simulation in SOLIDWORKS
1. Static Structural Analysis
This is the most commonly used simulation. It helps you determine how a component reacts under loads — such as weight, pressure, or torque — and identifies areas of stress concentration, displacement, and potential failure.
Example: Designing a bracket that supports a motor? Static analysis will ensure it doesn’t bend or break under load.
2. Thermal Simulation
Thermal simulation allows you to analyze how heat spreads or dissipates through your product.
Ideal for: Electronics, HVAC components, or any product where temperature affects performance.
3. Frequency (Modal) Analysis
Want to know how your design behaves under vibration? Frequency analysis determines the natural frequencies of a part, helping avoid resonance failures.
Commonly used in aerospace, automotive, and electronics.
4. Buckling Analysis
This identifies when and how thin-walled parts like sheet metal components might buckle under compressive loads.
Prevents structural failures before physical testing.
5. Fatigue Analysis
Find out how your product holds up over time with repeated loading and unloading. Fatigue analysis predicts how long it will last before failure.
Great for mechanical parts that undergo cycles — like suspension arms, handles, or levers.
6. Motion Simulation
Understand how parts move relative to each other in an assembly. Calculate forces, accelerations, and velocities using kinematic and dynamic simulations.
Perfect for mechanisms like gear trains, linkages, and robotic arms.
Key Benefits of Using SOLIDWORKS Simulation
1. Fully Integrated Workflow
You don't need to jump between programs. SOLIDWORKS Simulation works within your CAD design space, reducing rework and speeding up decision-making.
2. Faster Time to Market
By validating designs early, you reduce design cycles and accelerate product delivery.
3. Cost Savings
Simulation minimizes the need for costly prototypes and redesigns.
4. Better Product Performance
Optimize materials and design for durability, efficiency, and weight — all before production.
5. Increased Innovation
Engineers have the freedom to try bold new designs without the risk of wasting resources.
Who Uses SOLIDWORKS Simulation?
-
Automotive engineers: for chassis analysis, crash testing, and suspension optimization.
-
Consumer product designers: to test drop performance and heat resistance.
-
Aerospace teams: for weight-sensitive structures and vibration analysis.
-
Medical device companies: for regulatory compliance and structural validation.
-
Startups: to launch reliable, competitive products without massive R&D budgets.
Real-World Example
Case Study: Improving a Bicycle Frame
A cycling startup used SOLIDWORKS Simulation to optimize its carbon fiber bike frame. After static and fatigue simulations, they:
-
Reduced material cost by 12%
-
Improved durability by 30%
-
Reduced development time by 3 weeks
They launched a lighter, stronger bike — ahead of competitors.
Getting Started with SOLIDWORKS Simulation
Here’s a quick guide:
-
Model Your Design: Build or import a 3D CAD model.
-
Assign Materials: Apply realistic material properties.
-
Apply Loads & Fixtures: Add forces, gravity, temperature, etc.
-
Create the Mesh: Break down your model into small elements for FEA.
-
Run the Simulation: Let the solver calculate results.
-
Analyze Results: View stress plots, deflection, factor of safety, and more.
-
Optimize: Modify the design and rerun simulations.
SOLIDWORKS Simulation Packages
SOLIDWORKS offers three main Simulation levels:
-
Simulation Standard: Basic static and motion analysis.
-
Simulation Professional: Adds fatigue, buckling, thermal, and frequency.
-
Simulation Premium: Includes non-linear and dynamic analysis.
Choose based on your project needs and complexity.
Final Thoughts
In today’s high-stakes design world, building "safe" is no longer enough — you need to build smart. With SOLIDWORKS Simulation, you can catch issues before they become expensive problems, reduce waste, speed up delivery, and create innovative, reliable products.
If you already use SOLIDWORKS for CAD, Simulation is a powerful upgrade that turns your ideas into fully-validated realities.
Design with confidence. Validate with precision. Innovate with SOLIDWORKS Simulation.
