What is Solidworks Simulation?
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Simulation is the process of creating and analyzing a digital prototype ( CAD Modal) of a physical model. This is done to predict its performance and other such parameters in the real world. Simulation modeling is used to help designers and engineers understand the part that could fail and what loads it can withstand. Simulation modeling can also help to predict fluid flow and heat transfer patterns. It analyses the approximate working conditions by applying the simulation software.
SOLIDWORKS Simulation will help you to Efficiently optimize and validate each design step using quick-solving, CAD-integrated SOLIDWORKS Simulation to ensure quality, performance, and safety
What is the advantage of Simulation?
You need to ensure that the designed model performs efficiently in the field. After designing and building your model, you need to make sure that it performs efficiently in the field. Time-consuming and costly prototype testing cycles must be performed in case of no analysis tools. So, Solidworks Simulation comes into this which reduces the time and money by fractions if we compare it with the Actual testing grid.
SOLIDWORKS Simulation can help you achieve the following tasks:
- Instead of an expensive field test, simulate the model on the computer thereby reducing the cost and time
- Reduce time to market by reducing the number of product development cycles
- Improve products by quickly testing many scenarios and concepts before making a final decision, giving you more time to think of new designs
A typical product development cycle involves the following steps:
- Building your model.
- Building a prototype of the design.
- Testing the prototype in the field.
- Evaluating the results of the field tests.
- Modifying the design based on the field test results.
This process continues until a satisfying result is reached.
Creating Contact Set in Solidworks Simulation
Contact sets are defined in the pre-processing state. By creating the contact set you define the type of connection between two bodies or surfaces. If we talk about the examples of the type of contact which we can define in the model like Bonded, contact, or No penetration. We can select the required contact type and apply it to the modal.
In Solidworks Simulate the Contact set option is now renamed to Local Interactions. All the other functions will be the same only. To apply Local Interaction Go to Connection Advisor from Command Manager. From the dropdown select Local Interaction.
In SolidWorks, creating a contact set allows you to define the interaction between two or more components in an assembly, especially in cases where you want to simulate how parts will come into contact with one another during operation. Contact sets are particularly useful when running motion analysis or finite element analysis (FEA).
To create a contact set in SolidWorks, follow these steps:
- Open SolidWorks and make sure you have the assembly open, with the components you want to define contact sets for.
- In the Assembly toolbar, click on the ‘Evaluate’ tab, and then click on ‘Simulation’ or ‘Motion Study’ depending on which type of analysis you’re looking to perform.
For Simulation:
- Click on ‘Study’ and choose the type of study you want to perform (Static, Frequency, etc.).
- In the Simulation Study Tree, right-click on ‘Connections’ and select ‘Contact Set’ from the context menu.
- In the ‘Contact Set’ Property Manager, choose the type of contact you want to define (Bonded, No Penetration, Allow Penetration, or Virtual Wall).
- Use the ‘Selection’ boxes to select the faces, edges, or vertices of the components you want to create a contact set for. You can use the ‘Select Other’ tool or the graphics area to help with the selection.
- Optionally, you can modify the advanced settings like friction, contact pressure, etc.
- Click ‘OK’ to create the contact set. The new contact set will appear under ‘Connections’ in the Simulation Study Tree.
- Continue setting up your simulation study and run the analysis.
For Motion Study:
- In the MotionManager timeline, click on ‘Motion Study’ and choose ‘Motion Analysis’ as the study type.
- In the MotionManager toolbar, click on the ‘Contact’ button.
- In the ‘Contact PropertyManager’ dialog, choose the type of contact you want to define (Elastic or Inelastic).
- Use the ‘Selection’ boxes to select the components you want to create a contact set for. You can use the ‘Select Other’ tool or the graphics area to help with the selection.
- Optionally, you can modify advanced settings like friction, restitution, etc.
- Click ‘OK’ to create the contact set. The new contact set will appear in the MotionManager timeline.
- Continue setting up your motion analysis and run the study.
Remember that defining contact sets in SolidWorks can significantly impact the simulation time and results, so it’s essential to choose the appropriate contact types and settings for your specific application.
