SolidWorks Interview Questions and Answers

1) What is SolidWorks?

Solidworks is a computer aided design tool used for the design, simulation of mechanical products that runs on Microsoft Windows.Its application in complete product development cycle starting from concept design to Detailed design, Structural & thermal analysis, motion studies & engineering drawings and Also CAM.

2) Major difference between the AutoCAD and SolidWorks?

The significant difference between the SolidWorks and AutoCAD is thatAutoCAD was designed and developed as a 2D package and later evolved into a 3D package while SolidWorks is developed as 3D.

3) What do you understand by a template in solid works?

Templates are used to save default setting.

4) Explain how you can insert a reference image in SolidWorks?

To add a reference image in SolidWorks follow these steps

• On the Any plane open a new sketch. (Front/Right/Top)
• Now to insert an image, go to -> Tools -> Sketch Picture
• Choose the image you want to insert and tap on “Open”

5) What is convert entities and where it is used?

Convert entities are used in solid works to draw sketch with reference to any feature of a part.

6) What is speed pack in solid works assembly?

Speed Pack is used to create a simplified configuration of an assembly without losing references. If you work with very large and complex assemblies, using a SpeedPak configuration can significantly improve performance while working in the assembly and its drawing.

7) Define what Groups is and Cut lists in SolidWorks?

• Groups: A group is a collection of the related segment in a structural member

• Cut lists: Under FeatureManager design tree, Cut list is an item that groups the same entities of a part together. It is available in parts that have sheet metal features or weldment.

8) What are the commonly used tools in solid works surface?

• Extrude
• Revolve
• Sweep
• Loft
• Boundary Surface
• Offset
• Fill Surface
• Extend
• Trim
• Untrim
• Knit
• Planer
• Thicken

9) Mention what are two main modes for design studies in SolidWorks?

The two main modes for running a Design Study includes

• Evaluation: For each variable you specify discrete values and use sensors as constraints. The software executes the study using several combinations of the values and reports the output for each combination
• Optimization: For each variable you specify values, either as discrete values or as a range. You use sensors as constrains and as goals. 

10) What is BOM and How to make BOM in solid works?

BOM creates bill automatically and cut lists for downstream manufacturing and purchasing operations.

Go to insert -> table -> Bill of Material

BOM can generate in Assembly Or Drawing.

11) What do you understand by equations in solid works?
Equations are added in solid works part/assembly to add a relationship in any dimensions using global variables and mathematical functions.It helps in Automation.

12) Which command performs a non-stop replay of eDrawing animation?
Continuous Play.

13) Is eDrawings only displays part files, but not assemblies or drawings?

No, eDrawings supports all files (part file, Assembly files & Drawings.)

14) Mention what does SolidWorks Utilities provides?

SolidWorks utilities provides nine categories of functionality

• Compare Geometry: It allows you to compare what geometry is different between two designs using Geometry comparison, View synchronization or Face synchronization
• Compare Features: It differentiate between two models and how they are different in their designs and color-codes
• Compare Document: It enables you to compare properties between two SolidWorks document
• Feature Paint: It allows you to implement existing feature attributes and parameters from one feature to another
• Geometry Analysis: It enables you to identify the problematic imported geometry in a part based on user-specific parameters like minimum silver face size,
• Power Select: It helps you to select loops, faces, edges and features based on geometric criteria
• Power Editing: It helps you to locate, manipulate and change features within a model according to their parameters
• Thickness Analysis: It provides an analysis tool to find thin and thick regions in part documents
• Simplify Geometry: It helps you to streamline parts, assembly documents and create simplified configurations automatically

15) What is Display States in SolidWorks?

A part's display settings are stored in display states in the part/Assembly. Display states control the appearance, display mode, hide/show, and transparency of bodies, features, faces, and parts.

16) What is configuration in SolidWorks?
Configurations allow you to create multiple variations of a part or assembly model within a single document. Configurations provide a convenient way to develop and manage families of models with different dimensions, components, or other parameters.

17) What are the types of pattern in solid works?

• Linear Pattern
• Circular pattern
• Curve driven pattern
• Sketch driven pattern
• Table driven pattern
• Fill pattern
• Variable pattern

18) How to make multi-body part in solid works?

To make any part multi-body part  merge option need to be merged.

19) What is external reference in solid works?

External reference is used in solidworks assembly to make one part with reference to another in an assembly.

20) What is Pack & Go in SolidWorks?

Pack & Go tool is used in solid works to copy complete assembly with all associated parts, drawings and references

21) Mates Used in solid works?

• Standard mates: coincident, parallel, perpendicular, tangent concentric, angle, distance
• Advanced mates : Profile centre, symmetry, width, path mate, linear/linear coupler
• Mechanical Mates: Cam, slot, hinge, gear, rack pinion, screw, universal joint.

22) What is the application of interference detection in solid works?

In assembly it is used to verify interfering between the parts

23) What is design table?

Design Table is used in an assembly to control the configuration with the modification in excel sheet. 

24) What are light weight components in solid works assembly?

Assembly can be loaded with its active components fully resolved or lightweight. 

When a component is fully resolved, all its model data is loaded in memory but while in lightweight, only a subset of its model data is loaded in memory. The remaining model data is loaded on an as-needed basis.

• Performance of large assemblies can be improved significantly by using lightweight components.
• Loading an assembly with lightweight components is faster than loading the same assembly with fully resolved components.
• Assemblies with lightweight components rebuild faster because less data is evaluated.

Following assembly operations on lightweight components can be performed without resolving them:

Add/remove mates Edge/face/component selection Assembly features Measure Section properties Mass properties Exploded views Physical simulation 25) What is suppressing tool in solidworks? Supressed part in solidworks is just like a deleted part in an assembly that is easy to undo. When a part is supressed all dependencies from that part is also supressed (features, mass, BOM) 26) What is the difference in supress and hide in solidworks? Supressed part in solidworks is just like a deleted part in an assembly while the hide is just like removed the view of part in assembly.