Key details

Comprehensive SolidWorks training for newcomers, teaching key techniques for creating parametric parts and assemblies.

SolidWorks 3D design software helps teams around the world bring their ideas to life. It is easy to learn and use, letting you concentrate on your designs, not your CAD software.

Our SolidWorks Essentials course provides a thorough grounding in SolidWorks. The topics covered include:

• Introduction to sketching
• Basic part modelling
• Modelling a casting or forging
• Patterning
• Revolved features
• Shelling and ribs
• Editing: Repairs
• Editing: Design changes
• Configurations
• Using drawings
• Bottom-Up assembly modelling
• Using assemblies
• Templates

Throughout the course you’ll learn tips for increasing your productivity with the tool.

SolidWorks training is available on-request only, i.e. one-to-one training or a ‘closed’ course for your group. We don’t currently offer scheduled (public) SolidWorks courses.

We can host the training at one of our centres, or your venue anywhere in the UK.

The training can be tailored to take into account any existing knowledge you have, and the work you’re going to be doing in SolidWorks.

Expert SolidWorks trainers

SolidWorks training is hosted by highly-experienced instructors from an engineering background.

How will I learn?

SolidWorks training is hands-on and practical.

Our trainers teach the necessary theory then demonstrate techniques step-by-step. You then practice the techniques taught on a computer running SolidWorks.

There is plenty of time to ask questions, and you can take away all the files you create.

SolidWorks training guide and certificate

Course delegates receive:

• A comprehensive training guide for SolidWorks, to refer to throughout the course and to use as a refresher afterwards.
• An e-certificate confirming successful SolidWorks course completion. Click here to see an example of the certificate you receive.

After course support

Following SolidWorks training, delegates are entitled to 30 days’ email support from their SolidWorks trainer to help with any post-course issues.

Prerequisites

Delegates should have a good working knowledge of Windows. No prior CAD knowledge is necessary. Some past mechanical design experience is useful but not essential.

SolidWorks version

Training can be based on any version of SolidWorks to suit you.

General information

Course times

Standard course times are 9.30am–4.30pm.

As we’d be hosting this course for you/your group, there’s usually flexibility to change these to suit you, e.g. start or end 30 minutes earlier or later.

Payment

Payment for SolidWorks training can be made bank transfer or card. View training course payment options.

We accept purchase orders from UK-registered companies.

Accommodation

See Accommodation local to our training centres.

Cancellations

If a company or delegate cancels an SolidWorks training course booking giving less than 10 working days’ notice, a cancellation fee is payable. View cancellation terms.

Course content

SolidWorks basics and the user

• What is the SolidWorks software?
• Design intent
• File references
• Opening files
• The SolidWorks user interface
• Using the Command Manager

Introduction to sketching

• 2D sketching
• Stages in the process
• What are we going to sketch?
• Sketching and sketch entities
• Basic sketching
• Rules that govern sketches
• Design intent
• Sketch relations
• Dimensions
• Extrude
• Sketching guidelines

Basic part modelling

• Basic modelling
• Terminology
• Choosing the best profile
• Choosing the sketch plane
• Details of the part
• Boss feature
• Sketching on a planar face
• Cut feature
• Using the hole wizard
• View options
• Filleting
• Editing tools
• Detailing basics
• Drawing views
• Centre marks
• Dimensioning
• Changing parameters

Modelling a casting or forging

• Case study: Ratchet
• Design intent
• Boss feature with draft
• Symmetry in the sketch
• Sketching inside the model
• View options
• Using model edges in a sketch
• Creating trimmed sketch geometry

Patterning

• Why use patterns?
• Reference geometry
• Linear, circular and mirror patterns
• Using pattern seed only
• Sketch driven patterns

Revolved features

• Case study: Hand wheel
• Design intent
• Revolved features
• Building the rim
• Building the spoke
• Edit material
• Mass properties
• File properties
• SolidWorks SimulationXpress
• Using SolidWorks SimulationXpress
• The SimulationXpress interface

Shelling and ribs

• Shelling and ribs
• Analysing and adding draft
• Other options for draft
• Shelling
• Planes
• Ribs
• Full round fillets
• Thin features

Editing: Repairs

• Part editing
• Editing topics
• Sketch issues
• Freezing features
• FilletXpert and DraftXpert

Editing: Design changes

• Part editing
• Design changes
• Information from a model
• Rebuilding tools
• Sketch contours

Configurations

• Creating configurations
• Using configure dimension/feature
• Using global variables, equations
• Global variables
• Equations
• Modelling strategies for configurations
• Editing parts that have configurations
• Design library
• In the advanced course

Using drawings

• More about making drawings
• Section, model, broken and detail views
• Drawing sheets and sheet formats
• Projected views
• Annotations

Bottom-Up assembly modelling

• Case Study: Universal joint
• Bottom-up assembly
• Creating a new assembly
• Position of the first component
• FeatureManager design tree and symbols
• Adding components
• Using part configurations in assemblies
• Subassemblies
• Smart mates
• Inserting subassemblies
• Pack and go

Using assemblies

• Using assemblies
• Analysing the assembly
• Checking for clearances
• Changing the values of dimensions
• Exploded assemblies
• Explode line sketch
• Bill of materials
• Assembly drawings

Templates

• Options settings
• Document templates

Please note: Course topics may be modified by the instructor based upon the knowledge and skill level of the course participants.