Latest Blog posts from SolidSolutions.co.uk

Nonlinear Reaction Force Response Graph

Tue, 10 Jan 2012 12:12:00 UTC

I have just discovered a neat extra in Simulation 2012 that is not described in any of the 'What's New' literature - but could save you time.

In a nonlinear study there is often a need to report the Reaction Forces across all the time steps. For instance if you were to deform a rubber bushing by applying a prescribed displacement you might want to know how much force needs to be applied at each step - and preferably plot this on a graph. In 2011 this could not be done directly. You needed to use 'List Result Force', pick 'Update', write down the value and step through each time step. In 2012 this is dead easy - just pick the 'Response Graph' button and you get the forces plotted on a graph.

Andy Fulcher

Technical Manager

Solid Solutions Management Ltd

Here is a screenshot ...

Vote for New SolidWorks Functionality

Thu, 05 Jan 2012 12:25:00 UTC

Each release SolidWorks adds hundreds of new enhancements. Most of these (over 85%) are those requested by the customer base. In preparation for the SolidWorks World event next month in San Diego, ideas have been proposed to the SolidWorks developers and voting has now commenced. Have your say on what should be added to future releases by voting now (link).

Adam Hartles

Training Manager

Reduce your workload in one click

Mon, 19 Dec 2011 16:08:00 UTC

How symmetrical is your part? If you knew, then you could work on the smallest segment and mirror the body after you've made your changes for easy part modifications. Or for Simulation, you could work with that segment alone to speed up an analysis.

Let SolidWorks find out for you.

If you have SolidWorks Professional or Premium, go to the command search at the top right of the window and type 'Symmetry Check' (will filter as you type).

Then just choose the button below - this is your one click!

Oliver Duncan

Presales Manager

Solid Solutions Management

SolidWorks 2012 Training Schedules

Tue, 13 Dec 2011 22:33:00 UTC

We now have the SolidWorks 2012 training schedules online and available for bookings. We start teaching from the 2012 release straight after the Christmas break so book now to ensure you have your place during January which is a busy time for the training team.

Next year we are running more courses than ever to meet the growing demands of our customer base. To gain the full benefit of training enquire about our SolidWorks Training Passport- this gives you access to almost all of our course offerings over a 12 month period with huge price savings compared to the standard day rate. Contact your account manager or our main phone number for details.

Another exciting addition we are rolling out in line with the 2012 training program is the use of Qwizdom remote feedback systems. This will make courses more interactive and engaging for attendees to ensure you get the most out of each module. If you have any specific training enquiries or requirements contact us at training@solidsolutions.co.uk.

Adam Hartles

Training Manager

Showing Off Simulation Results with Camera Views

Tue, 13 Dec 2011 13:15:00 UTC

I discovered this by accident recently and can't think why I haven't used this before. If you want to show off an animated simulation result and at the same time be 'inside' the plot, just use a camera view. The workflow is this:

1. Create a simulation

2. Create a camera view with a wide angle lens

3. Switch to the camera view

4. Animate the simulation result (usually with an exaggerated deformation scale).

Move around inside the animation using the camera - controlled either by your mouse or the arrow keys work equally well.

Try this - it is great for a sales presentation. It is especially powerful for physically large assemblies and helps you get a really good 'feel' for the actual size of deformations.

You can also get similarly impressive effects using the 2011 or (even better) the 2012 Walkthroughs. Try it and you will like it!

Andy Fulcher

Technical Manager

Solid Solutions Management Ltd

Motion - an Engineering Tool

Tue, 13 Dec 2011 11:41:00 UTC

I was teaching the SolidWorks Motion course recently and was surprised by a comment made by a trainee. He said he had not appreciated beforehand how sophisticated Motion was as a tool for solving engineering problems. Other trainees agreed. It seems that many customers regard Motion as a means of creating animations. This may be true for the 'Animation' and 'Basic Motion' options but certainly not for the full 'Motion Analysis' tool (available for all SolidWorks Premium users).

The Motion tool simulates rigid body motion of parts and assemblies by incrementing movements and at each step finding a 'force balance'. In other words through the range of motion, the software determines equilibrium between the applied forces and the dynamic (inertial) forces. It uses Newton's laws and the principle of conservation of momentum.

This means we can solve a host of complex mechanical engineering problems such as ...

Calculating torque and power requirements for motors
Evaluating static and dynamic loads on bearings
Optimising springs and dampers
Predicting opening / closing forces on levers
Estimating cycle time for complex sequences using servo motors and limit switches
Determining yaw / pitch and roll
... and many more engineering problems

All the above results can be plotted graphically with respect to time and even with respect to each other. Not only that but you can also solve complex static problems if there is no motion applied - the force balance solver will still work. This can save hours of time for engineers poring over spreadsheets.

As a reseller we need to make sure that our customers are aware of these tools! If customers want more info, please call us.

Andy Fulcher

Technical Manager

Another chance to see what's new in SolidWorks 2012

Mon, 05 Dec 2011 16:47:00 UTC

If you missed our launch events across the country, this Wednesday there will be a live Webcast going through the highlights of the 20th release of SolidWorks.

To register for this webcast, go to http://www.solidsolutions.co.uk/SolidWorks-Training/Webcasts.aspx

At the launch days, we also launched a new website, exclusively for Solid Solutions Subscription customers www.solidsolutions.tv As the URL suggests, it is mainly video tutorials, video tips and tricks, as well as archived Webcasts but there is a wealth of useful documents, links and white papers as well.

At the launch events there were lots of interactive exhibits to get involved with. Two of such were the Model Mania competition, and the Simulation Challenge. Model Mania was all about fast, accurate modelling. The winner was whoever could produce the part from a 2D drawing in the shortest time but still get all the dimensions correct. The Simulation Challenge was all about getting to the design with the least weight but still have a minimum factor of safety and minimum deflection.

The launch events were a huge success and there was also a prize draw to win a brand new mini, ultra-portable Dell Projector. This was drawn from all of the feedback forms collected from all of the events. The lucky winner will be announced shortly!

Here is a collection of some of the comments from the feedback forms...

“The morning session on Introduction to SolidWorks was excellent. The delivery was well executed and reassured me of the know-how within Solid Solutions on the SolidWorks product” – Michael Silvey, Caleva Process Solutions

“Great event well managed” – Greg Phillips, Schneider Prototyping

“I’m a sucker for free stuff!!! And technology!!!” – Gavin Turnbull, Pudsey Diamond Engineering Ltd

“Did what it said on the tin! Provoked ideas!” – Simon Newman, University of Southampton

“Best one yet that I’ve been to (third one!)” – Michael Anders, RNLI

“SSM Surgery Live was excellent” – Keith Tubman, Wise Handling Ltd

“Excellent event and product” – Nicholas Hampson, Lancereal Ltd

“Very good presentations!” – Graham Rees, Nanometrics UK Ltd

“Thanks for the invite – Professional and very informative” - John Cloughley, E4 Structures Ltd

“Fantastic Launch Event. I have been to the last 4 and they just get better. This is what I have come to expect and I am certainly getting it. Well done!” – Steve Sissons, S.G. Sissons

“Excellent presentation between Oliver & Mark, good banter with purpose, detailing performance improvement between releases – a refreshing approach!!” – Paul Boden, University of Wolverhampton

“Very informative, entertaining, concise.” – Stephen Brookes, University of Birmingham

“Excellent event.” – John Lawrence, Nikon Metrology

“Great idea to compare and contrast 2011 to 2012.” – John Bennett, Bennett Engineering Design

“Thank you for a well organised and informative event.” – Brian Wilson, Trac Measurement

For more highlights of the day check out http://www.solidsolutions.co.uk/SolidWorks-2012-Launch-Events.aspx

Below are all of the winners of the competitions...

• Model Mania winners (each winning a SpacePilot Pro) -

Karl Motherwell - Dynafluid
Richard Everitt - RKDE
Chris Louch – Murata Power (Celab)
Steve Bottomly - Hedley Hydraulics

Simulation Challenge (winning a Kindle) -

Matt Wyre - Haughton Design
James Linfield - Sytek
Iain Morgan - J&S Ltd
Keith Tubman - Wise Handling

Thank you to all who did attend and we hope to see you all next year!

Solid Solutions

Simulation Reaction Force Interpretation

Wed, 09 Nov 2011 16:16:00 UTC

SolidWorks Simulation provides a variety of tools to show result forces. These can be very useful and informative. For instance, you may want to know what forces are required to 'hold' a part stationary when subject to an external load. This can then help to decide how robust an adjacent part needs to be. The good news is that with all the simulation studies (except Xpress) we can do this easily. Just rmb on the Results folder and select 'List Result Force...' You can then select 'Reaction Forces', 'Free Body Forces' and even 'Contact/Friction Forces'.

However, be careful how you interpret the results. A customer pointed out that the sum of his reaction forces did not match the applied force - which is impossible if the structure is in static equilibrium. The reason was that he had picked two adjacent faces which shared a common edge. Selecting each face independently gives the correct individual result. However, picking 2 faces reported the forces on the common edge twice (i.e. the nodal forces along the common edge were given for each face selection). However, the total forces reported in the table were correct.

Here are some screenshots ...

Andy Fulcher

Technical Manager

Solid Siolutions Management Ltd

SolidWorks 2012 Launch Events have started!

Sat, 05 Nov 2011 16:41:00 UTC

Have you reserved your seat to see SolidWorks 2012?

The two midlands events at the Heritage Motor Museum, were attended by over 250 of Solid Solutions' customers#

As well as seeing all of the new features in SolidWorks 2012, many engineers took part in the hands on challenges and four winners took home some excellent prizes#

The "Model Mania" competition was a test of modelling speed and accuracy and the winning times were very impressive, both winners were under 5 minutes to model the part from a 2D drawing, and took home a 3D Connexions Space Pilot Pro#

The Simulation challenge was a test of engineering knowledge, reducing weight but also making sure the design was fit for purpose# Two impressive designs each won an Amazon Kindle#

If you haven't seen SolidWorks 2012 at a Solid Solutions Launch event yet, make sure you are registered for one!

The next two main events, are Winchester and Thirsk, serving the South and North of the country respectively# For those further East, a smaller event is being held in Cambridge# To register for any of these events, go to www.solidsolutions.co.uk/SW2012

See you there!

Bypassing 'Check for Updates' to speed up launching SolidWorks

Mon, 24 Oct 2011 11:03:00 UTC

I took a call on the helpdesk last week from a Customer reporting that SolidWorks was often slow to start first thing in the morning. A little investigation found this neat little trick to stop SolidWorks from checking (via the internet) for updates when it starts up.

When you start SolidWorks from the installed Desktop shortcut it actually fires up swspmanager.exe (SolidWorks Service Pack Manager). This in turn uses the Check For Updates portion of the Installation Manager to search the Internet database for changes to the product version. The query of the Internet may take some time, in particular if your Internet is disabled, you run firewalls, or have a slow connection. Once the database has been queried, the results are interpretted and Solidworks starts prompting you to install the updates if available.

To avoid this behavior you can create a new desktop shortcut directly to Sldworks.exe

When starting sldworks.exe directly you bypass the whole swspmanager/check for updates. The convenience of knowing if a newer update is no longer available (use Help/Check for Updates) however start up on most machines will be at minimum a few seconds quicker (on some machines the difference might be greater such as Vista/Windows 7 with User Account Control or if you have anti-virus/spyware which may block/slow down the access to the Installation Manager)

If you are not sure how to create a shortcut, it's pretty straightforward and I have included instructions for Windows7 below (note: If you look at the 'properties' of your existing shortcut it will show you where you have installed SolidWorks on your computer, and therefore where to find Sldworks.exe)

Create a Desktop Shortcut in Windows 7

Right-click on your Windows 7 Desktop. This will bring up a menu.
Hover over the the "New" option, and then click on "Shortcut." This will bring up the "Create Shortcut" wizard.
Click on the "Browse" button and navigate to the program you want to have a shortcut. Click on the program and then on the "OK" button. This will bring you back to the "Create Shortcut" wizard with the location of the program entered. Click on the "Next" button.
Type in the name you would like the shortcut to have and click the "Finish" button. I hope you find this tip useful Wayne Marshall Customer Support Manager

Hopefully you found this tip useful.

Kind regards

Wayne

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Wayne Marshall | Customer Support Manager / PDM Product Manager
Solid Solutions Management Limited