solidworks tools

 SolidWorks Flow Simulation

SolidWorks Flow Simulation is a Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD)  modling  product for SolidWorks users. It is embedded inside SolidWorks and can perform fluid flow and heat transfer analysis for some types of fluids (liquids, gases, Non Newtonian fluids, Compressible liquids).
The solver uses Navier-Stokes (NS) equations to compute flow characteristics in both Single Reference Frames (SRF) and Multiple Reference Frames (MRF).
SolidWorks Flow Simulation has its solver and part of components from FloEFD of Mentor Graphics. Despite SolidWorks Corporation does not publish details of the models and meshing technology, the Mentor Graphics does. This is extremely important to CFD engineers understand the limitations and applicability of the software.

 SolidWorks FloXpress

SolidWorks FloXpress is a free, limited-scope version of SolidWorks Flow Simulation now included in every seat of SolidWorks, starting in 2008. It can handle only internal flows with one inlet and one outlet, of either air or water. Only velocity traces are given as results, no heat transfers are calculated. It should be considered an initial validation tool only, for the casual FEA user.

SolidWorks Sustainability

New in solidworks 2010 , SolidWorks Sustainability measures the environmental impact over the life cycle of the product in terms of  four factors: carbon footprint, air acidification, water eutrophication, and total energy consumed. For each of these, the dashboard displays current value, a baseline comparison to the design and percent contribution.

 SolidWorks Motion

SolidWorks Motion is a SolidWorks module for multi-body kinematic simulation of mechanisms. It can handle complex component collisions, accept formula for motion laws and supply reaction values to SolidWorks Simulation for further FEA analysis. It is included in the SolidWorks Premium license.

 SolidWorks SimulationXpress

SolidWorks SimulationXpress (formerly COSMOSXpress) is a feature designed to perform a limited range of linear static analysis of part geometry. Geometry is limited to a single solid body and the choices for creating boundary conditions are limited (fixed only) which can affect the applicability of the results to the actual problem being solved. Results are limited to graphical representations of either Von Mises stress or displacement distributions. Colors appearing on the surface of the deformed shape of the model describe the amount of stress or displacement at that location. The values corresponding to each color are shown in the legend. SolidWorks SimulationXpress is included in every basic SolidWorks license, and should be considered a first-pass check to see where a design can be improved.

SolidWorks Simulation Premium

SolidWorks Simulation Premium is a module providing a richer set of tools for linear static FEA. SolidWorks Simulation Premium can deal with parts and assemblies using solid, shell and (starting from release 2007) beam elements.
It provides a fully associative environment to perform FEA studies inside SolidWorks, with several features for pre-processing as well as for post-processing and a very rich set of connectors and boundary conditions, like virtual bolts, bearings, spot welding, links and pins.
A tool for designing multiple batch calculations (Design Scenario) is also provided.
SolidWorks Simulation Premium can handle locally non-linear contact and includes a partial support for geometric non-linear analysis (large displacement). It is included in the SolidWorks Premium license.