Introduction to SolidWorks

One of the products of SolidWorks Corporation, which uses the Dassault Systemes 3D experience platform as its foundation, is SolidWorks. The feature-based, parametric solid modelling design tool SolidWorks mechanical design automation software enables designers to swiftly sketch out concepts, play with features and dimensions, and create models and detailed drawings.

It makes use of the straightforward drag and drop (DD) and copy/paste capability included in the Windows graphical user interface, which is user-friendly and convenient for designers.

Many of the icons, like print, open, cut, and save, are also included in the SolidWorks programme, which is accustomed to using Windows features. Using SolidWorks, you can see a model in three dimensions, just as it will appear when it is made.

The three fundamental modes of SolidWorks are part mode, assembly mode, and drawing mode. The fundamental building piece of this programme is part mode. For instance, creating a part is a prerequisite for creating an assembly.

Parts or additional assemblies, referred to as sub-assemblies, are contained in assembly mode. Below, we'll go through each of these three modes separately.

PART MODE

The part mode is SolidWorks' very first and most fundamental mode, when a 3D model is built. Any design must first be sketched in a drawing environment. In order to generate a drawing for the basic feature, you must first choose a sketching plane. The Front Plane, Top Plane, and Right Plane are the three default planes offered.

After your sketches are finished, you may use the same sketching environment to apply the necessary relations and offer the right proportions. For the part's unique design, this mode also includes the Sheet Metal and Surface Modeling tools. By employing mould design tools, you may construct core and cavity in the part mode. You can also design welded structures in this mode by using associated tools.

ASSEMBLY MODE

In the assembly mode, the model is completed by assembling the parts that were previously made in the part mode. By building pieces in the assembly mode, you may also make models. Parts are mated together to form assemblies. They are referred to as Mate Tools.

After assembling the components in Assembly Mode, you may utilize the Motion Study Tab to animate the model. In the assembly mode, the Evaluate Command Manager Tab is available.

Tools like measure, collision detection, interference checking, etc. are included in this mode. We can physically mimic the motion of an assembly by assigning motors, actuators, force, and gravity to the components in the Motion Study tab and displaying the results in various graphs.

GRAPHIC MODE

Any produced part or assembly is detailed using the drawing mode. In this mode, all details and documentation are done in 2D format.

The documentation is made up of many drawing views and the information they include. Simply dragging and dropping components or assemblies that you built in part mode or assembly mode will detail all the views. All the tools needed to create, edit, and add dimensions and comments to drawing views are available in drawing mode.

Bi-directional Associativity is a feature of SolidWorks that significantly benefits this programme.

History

Jon Hirschtick, a graduate of the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, established SolidWorks Corporation in December 1993.

Hirschtick founded the business with the $1 million he had earned as a member of the MIT Blackjack Team. With its first headquarters in Waltham, Massachusetts, Hirschtick assembled a group of engineers with the intention of creating 3D CAD software that was user-friendly, inexpensive, and accessible on the Windows desktop.

SolidWorks began operations in Concord, Massachusetts, and in November 1995, SolidWorks 95, the company's first product, was launched. SolidWorks was purchased by Dassault in 1997 for $310 million in shares. Dassault is well known for their CATIA CAD software.

Hirschtick continued to serve in a variety of capacities over the following 14 years. SolidWorks increased its income to $100 million under his direction.

In addition to drawings, a collaboration tool, and DraftSight, a 2D CAD product, SolidWorks presently sells multiple variations of the SolidWorks CAD software.

John McEleney oversaw SolidWorks from January 2001 to July 2007, Jeff Ray from July 2007 to January 2011, Bertrand Sicot from January 2015 to Gian Paolo Bassi, and from January 2015 to January 2022.

Manish Kumar was appointed as the new CEO of SOLIDWORKS in February 2022, while Gian Paolo Bassi was elevated to the position of Executive Vice President of 3DEXPERIENCE WORKS at Dassault Systèmes.