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Installation
- SOLIDWORKS and SW PDM System Requirements
- Preparing for Installation
- How to Download SOLIDWORKS
- SOLIDWORKS Installation Manager (.exe)
- How to Request a Manual Download for SOLIDWORKS
- How To Order A SOLIDWORKS Media Kit
- Installing – A Complete Overview to Managing a CAD Environment
- SOLIDWORKS Hardware Guide
- Troubleshooting SOLIDWORKS Installation Issues
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- SOLIDWORKS Individual Installation
- How to Modify Your SOLIDWORKS Installation
- How to Repair Your SOLIDWORKS Installation
- Performing a Clean Uninstall
- How to Quickly Update SOLIDWORKS to a Newer Service Pack
- How to Transfer a Standalone License
- Install Multiple Versions
- SOLIDWORKS Activation Wizard: How to Transfer SOLIDWORKS License
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- SOLIDWORKS Network Licensing
- How to Upgrade SolidNetWork License Manager
- Moving from SOLIDWORKS Standalone to Network Licenses
- Adding License to an Existing SolidNetwork License Manager
- Use Options File to Reserve Licenses for Specific Users
- SOLIDWORKS SolidNetWork License Order Guide
- How to Reactivate SOLIDWORKS Network Licenses
- How to Move the SOLIDWORKS SolidNetWork License Manager to a New Server
- SOLIDWORKS SolidNetwork License Manager Overview
- How to Install the SolidNetwork License Manager
- Reserve Licenses with Options File
- How to add or remove network serial numbers
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SOLIDWORKS Portal
- Customer Portal replaced by DSx Client
- How to get FREE Certification Testing
- The SOLIDWORKS Knowledge Base – Help Resolve Your SOLIDWORKS Questions
- How to Add Contacts and Assign Roles in DSx Client Care - 3DEXPERIENCE
- How to Enter Enhancement Requests for SOLIDWORKS Users
- MyProducts.solidworks.com Overview
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SOLIDWORKS
- SOLIDWORKS Keyboard Shortcuts
- SOLIDWORKS Copy Settings Wizard
- Accessing Xpress Tools
- How To Tell Who Has a SOLIDWORKS File Open
- How to Use SOLIDWORKS Pack and Go
- SOLIDWORKS Administration Overview
- Rebuild Types and How They Work
- Understanding SOLIDWORKS Settings and Templates
- How to create SOLIDWORKS Part, Assembly, and Drawing Templates
- Utilizing Cloud Storage with SOLIDWORKS
- Automate File Exports with Task Scheduler
- Troubleshooting Weldment Cut List Consolidation
- SOLIDWORKS Multi-sheet Custom Properties Source
- How to Use Save As with References
- How to Troubleshoot Graphical Issues
- How to Enable or Disable SOLIDWORKS Add-ins
- Updating File References in PDM
- How to Add Fonts in SOLIDWORKS
- Essential SOLIDWORKS Hotkeys and Shortcuts
- Where Used with SOLIDWORKS File Utilities
- SOLIDWORKS Backup and Recovery System Options
- SOLIDWORKS Performance Evaluation - Parts
- SOLIDWORKS Performance Evaluation - DRAWINGS
- SOLIDWORKS Performance Evaluation - Assemblies
- Difference Between Delete and Destroy in PDM
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PDM
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- PDM How to Work in Off-line Mode
- How to Use PDM Move Tree
- How to Use PDM Copy Tree
- PDM - What are Private State Files?
- PDM Search Operators
- How to Set PDM to Details View in Windows File Explorer
- SOLIDWORKS PDM Search Results – Which Configuration’s Variables are Displayed?
- PDM Automatic Login Options
- Preview Tab Options
- How To Overwrite Latest PDM Version
- Difference Between Versions and Revisions
- How to export search results from PDM
- Selecting Child References Automatically in SOLIDWORKS PDM
- PDM Branch and Merge Overview
- What is a Drawing Node in PDM?
- Copy and Paste as Reference in PDM
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- PDM Administrators: Roles and Responsibilities
- PDM License Type Matrix
- PDM Server Recommendations
- PDM Backup Procedures
- How to Reset Your SOLIDWORKS PDM Admin Password
- How to Control Get Version Commands
- Adding a PDM Vault View with a Windows Azure Active Directory Account
- PDM Major Minor Revisions
- How to Set Revision Manually in PDM
- How to Set Up Revision Tables
- PDM - What are Version Free Variables?
- PDM How to Rollback a File to a Previous Version
- PDM Setting Cache Options Automatically
- How to Change PDM Date Formatting
- How to Delete a PDM User Completely
- How to Reset Web2 Authentication in IIS
- SOLIDWORKS PDM Connectivity Test Tool
- How to Configure the Local HOSTS file to Resolve Server Name
- Create Local Vault View Shortcut
- How to Configure a Computer to be a PDM Task Host
- How to Setup a Dedicated Unattended Task Host
- How to use PDM Database Upgrade Tool
- Collect Support Information for PDM
- Update Credentials for PDM Archive Server
- Update Credentials for PDM Database Server
- Creating and Using PDM Labels
- Troubleshooting PDM Notifications
- PDM Cold Storage and How To Use It
- How to set the PDM Preview Tab Viewer
- How to reset the SQL password for the PDM Vault SQL Server
- SOLIDWORKS Strategies for Using the File Version Upgrade Tool (FVUT)
- How To Relocate An Existing SOLIDWORKS Vault View To Another Drive
- How to manually remove a disconnected PDM Vault View
- How To Relocate Vault Archive Folders To Another Drive
- How to Setup Toolbox in PDM - SOLIDWORKS
- How to Resolve “Workflow States Exceeds Permissible Limit” - SOLIDWORKS
- SOLIDWORKS PDM Enter a Valid Account for this Resource
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- Create Local Vault View
- How to Delete or Recreate a Local Vault View
- Create Local PDM Vault View Using .cvs File
- How to Change PDM Client License Type after Installation
- PDM File Version Upgrade Tool
- PDM Upgrade Checklist
- How to Upgrade SOLIDWORKS PDM Add-ins
- SOLIDWORKS PDM: Moving Server Components - Checklist
- How to Install SOLIDWORKS PDM Standard
- SOLIDWORKS PDM / Manage Installation Guide (PDF)
- Install Microsoft SQL 2019 for PDM Professional
- How to Install PDM Client Software
- Change SQL Server License
- How to Upgrade SOLIDWORKS Toolbox in PDM - AUTOMATICALLY
- How to Upgrade SOLIDWORKS Toolbox in PDM - MANUALLY
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Known Solutions
- Windows Firewall Exceptions for SOLIDWORKS Network Based Products
- Why Users Need Local Admin Rights to Install SOLIDWORKS
- How to Run SOLIDWORKS with Administrator Permissions
- Blank SOLIDWORKS Installation Manager - Resolution
- SOLIDWORKS RX - The Ultimate CAD Diagnostic Tool
- SOLIDWORKS Safe Modes
- How to Force SOLIDWORKS to Use Your Graphics Card
- How to Ensure that You are Running a SOLIDWORKS Certified Graphics Card Driver
- Troubleshooting SOLIDWORKS Installation Issues
- Resolution to Common File Location Errors
- Non-Matching Internal ID
- Could not obtain a license for SOLIDWORKS CAM. Invalid (inconsistent) license key
- “The Source Folder Is Not Versioned Properly…” Error when Modifying Serial Number
- “A Newer Version of This Product is Already Installed” Error when Installing SOLIDWORKS
- "Error obtaining License (-85, 147, 0)"
- SOLIDWORKS Search Routine Order
- How to Restore Dismissed SOLIDWORKS Messages
- Viewing SOLIDWORKS Configurations in eDrawings
- How to Modify the Reference/Update Dialog Dismissal Time
- SOLIDWORKS Educational Resources
- How to Change the SOLIDWORKS Language
- Restore Your File Associations
- How To Reset SOLIDWORKS Registry
- Resolve "Sheet Format Could Not Be Located"
- How To Correct The "Default Templates Are Not Valid" Error
- Correcting foreign language characters in the FeatureManager Tree
- How to Collect CXPAs
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Simulation
- Simulation Meshing Guide
- How to Duplicate and Reuse Simulation Study Data
- Setting Up Default Options for SOLIDWORKS Simulation
- Which Type of Elements Should I Use?
- Is SOLIDWORKS Simulation Accurate?
- Getting Started with Simulation
- The Basics of Setting Up a Study in Simulation
- Do I Need Non-linear Simulation?
- Submodeling Studies – The What, Why, & How of Using Them in SOLIDWORKS Simulation
- What To Do When you get the “Excessive Displacement” Warning in SOLIDWORKS Simulation
- How to Create Temperature Dependent Custom Materials in SOLIDWORKS Simulation
- How to Export Flow Simulation Results to Import into FEA
- How to Add a Hydrostatic Load
- Important Mesh Theory to Accurately Run your Finite Element Analysis Simulations
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3DEXPERIENCE
- How to Create a 3DEXPERIENCE ID
- 3DEXPERIENCE Cloud Eligibility Tool
- Cloud Services Activation
- Invite Users & Assign Roles
- How to Install Collaborative Designer for SOLIDWORKS
- Install the 3DEXPERIENCE Add-in for SOLIDWORKS
- How to Install 3DEXPERIENCE SOLIDWORKS Connected
- How to Update SOLIDWORKS Connected and other Apps
- Storing SOLIDWORKS Templates on 3DEXPERIENCE Platform
- Work Offline in 3DEXPERIENCE
- How to uninstall 3DEXPERIENCE SOLIDWORKS Connected
- How to Export as 3DEXPERIENCE Package File and Share
- How to Import a Package File with 3DEXPERIENCE Exchange Add-in
- How to Delete Files and Objects in 3DEXPERIENCE Collaborative Spaces
Which Type of Elements Should I Use?
What Type of Elements Should I Use for Fast and Accurate Results?
The core of Finite Element Analysis (FEA) is breaking down your parts into individual pieces (or finite elements) to be able to solve your analysis. Using the correct type of elements and applying mesh properly is very important to the results of the simulation. This article will cover the type of elements to use while other articles like this meshing guide covers the element meshing process.
The three main element types are Shells, Beams, and Solids. As a rule of thumb, parts that are thin with a single thickness should be set up as Shell Elements, parts that are long and slender with a single profile should be set up as Beam Elements, and all other parts should be setup as Solid Elements. The main goal is to apply the right kind of element to get accurate results without waiting a long time for the problem to solve. Following this procedure will allow you to reduce long solve times while still getting accurate results.
Beam Elements
Beam Elements are the simplest type of elements and therefore, if applied correctly, can save the most solve time while still getting accurate results. Beam Elements can be used when the part is long and slender with a constant cross section. This is often the case for structural applications. The criteria to consider a beam long and slender is the ratio of the length of the beam and the largest dimension of its cross section should be greater than 10. For example, in the images below both beams meet the criteria of having a constant cross section but the slenderness ratio for one would be 120/5 = 24 and therefore pass the greater than 10 criteria while the other beam would have a slenderness ratio of 20/5 = 4 and not pass this criteria.
If the parts were created using SOLIDWORKS Weldments, then when you make a new study the parts will automatically come into the analysis as Beam Elements. To change a Solid Element to a Beam Element or a Beam Element to a Solid Element you can right click the part in the Simulation Feature Tree and select the applicable option “Treat as Beam…” or “Treat as Solid” option.
Shell Elements
Shell elements are the next simplest type of elements and can be used on thin parts with a constant thickness. This criteria is often true for sheet metal parts but can also apply in many other circumstances. The criteria to determine if a part is thin enough to be considered a shell element is similar to the Beam elements mentioned in the previous section. Take the characteristic length of the part and divide it by the thickness of the part. If this ratio is greater than 20 then it can be characterized as a thin shell part, if the ratio is between 5 and 20, it can be characterized as a thick shell part, if it is below 5 then you should treat the body as a solid element.
To demonstrate the time savings that shell elements can provide, below are pictures of the same pulley meshed with shell elements and again meshed with Solid elements. To get accurate bending stresses on thin parts using solid elements, it is generally recommended to have the mesh small enough to have at least 2 high solid quality elements through the thickness of the part. In this case, the number of needed elements goes from about 15,000 elements with using Shell Elements to about 2 million elements with using Solid Elements! The number of elements directly corresponds to the amount of time that it will take to solve the study.
To apply shell elements to parts, the easiest method is to create the parts using sheet metal functionality in the SOLIDWORKS CAD modeling environment and then SOLIDWORKS Simulation will automate the process of defining the Shell Elements in the simulation study. However, Solid Elements can be changed to Shell Elements by right clicking the body in the Simulation Feature Manager Tree and selecting “Define Shell by Selected Faces” and filling out the property manager to define the shell element.
Solid Elements
Solid Elements are the most common type of element but are also the most resource intensive elements to use for parts with a high aspect-ratio shape. If your parts don’t meet the criteria for beam or shell elements, you should use solid elements. Most bodies will come into your simulation studies as Solid Elements, but you can change a Beam or Shell Element back to Solid Element by right-clicking the body and selecting “Treat as Solid”. Solid elements can represent practically any geometry and do not carry the inherent geometry simplifications used by beam or shell elements. Solid elements will always give you the most accurate geometric representation and stress results, but for large and complex models it may not be possible to solve with solid elements at a sufficient resolution.
Conclusion
Solid Elements are the most common type of element but are also the most resource intensive elements to use for parts with a high aspect-ratio shape. If your parts don’t meet the criteria for beam or shell elements, you should use solid elements. Most bodies will come into your simulation studies as Solid Elements, but you can change a Beam or Shell Element back to Solid Element by right-clicking the body and selecting “Treat as Solid”. Solid elements can represent practically any geometry and do not carry the inherent geometry simplifications used by beam or shell elements. Solid elements will always give you the most accurate geometric representation and stress results, but for large and complex models it may not be possible to solve with solid elements at a sufficient resolution.