SolidWorks was developed by SolidWorks Corporation, a software company founded in 1995 by Jon Hirschtick. Hirschtick designed the software with a particularly user-friendly interface to help engineers rapidly develop their designs. SolidWorks quickly gained popularity from its initial release and became a strong player in the CAD software market. In 1997, Dassault Systèmes acquired SolidWorks Corporation, further accelerating the software’s development and enabling its global expansion.

Technical Infrastructure and Software Architecture

SolidWorks is a Windows-based software that requires computers with especially powerful graphics processing capabilities. The software uses a parameter-based design approach for 3D modeling. This approach offers users flexibility during design and allows changes to be applied quickly.

The core modeling engine of SolidWorks constructs each part or assembly from basic geometric shapes and defines each shape with parameters. This enables users to perform specific design modifications rapidly.

Comprehensive Modular Structure

SolidWorks has a broad modular structure, and each module is customized to meet specific engineering and design needs. Besides the main modules, users can further customize the software by using third-party plugins and applications. Each module offers in-depth functions to meet different industrial requirements:

• SolidWorks CAM: This module focuses on the computer-aided manufacturing (CAM) process. Users can optimize their designs directly for production and generate code compatible with machine tools. It especially supports machining operations and integration with CNC machines.

• SolidWorks Plastics: A module used for plastic injection molding design. It allows users to analyze factors such as material flow, pressure, and temperature during mold design.

• SolidWorks Flow Simulation: A module that performs fluid dynamics simulations. It analyzes the interaction of liquids and gases within the design, enabling efficient design of cooling systems, airflow, and other fluid-based processes.

• SolidWorks Sustainability: A module that assesses the environmental impacts of designs. Users can analyze their designs' energy consumption, CO2 emissions, and effects on natural resources.

Simulation and Analysis Features

SolidWorks provides powerful simulation and analysis tools at every stage of the design and engineering processes. These tools help determine how designs will respond to real-world conditions. SolidWorks Simulation offers static analysis as well as dynamic, thermal, fluid, and vibration analyses. This allows engineers to test the durability of their products, detect potential failures early, and optimize the final product.

• Static and Dynamic Analysis: Structural stress analysis simulates how products respond to real-world forces. Dynamic analysis examines the effects of time-varying loads, calculating vibrations, impacts, and elastic deformations.

• Thermal Analysis: SolidWorks enables testing the thermal performance of designs through heat transfer and thermal analyses. This feature is especially important for electronic devices, engines, and other temperature-sensitive products.

• Fatigue Analysis: Fatigue analyses can be performed to determine how designs behave under long-term use. This is critically important for airplanes, automobiles, and other high-stress applications.

Data Management and Collaboration

SolidWorks offers integrated data management (PDM) solutions to facilitate collaboration among large engineering teams on projects. SolidWorks PDM provides file version control, engineering change management, and data sharing at every stage of projects. This feature is particularly important in projects where multiple engineering disciplines and large teams work together.

Training and Community Support

SolidWorks provides comprehensive training resources for both professional and educational users. On SolidWorks’ official website, users can find extensive training videos, guides, and interactive courses covering various modules and tools of the software. Additionally, SolidWorks users can share experiences, ask questions, and get tips on online forums and community platforms.