Hello to all,

Welcome to the new edition of the SOLIDWORKS® Support Monthly News! This monthly news blog is co-authored by members of the SOLIDWORKS® Technical Support teams worldwide. Here is the list of topics covered in this month's Blog:

1. Event-Based Motion Analysis in SOLIDWORKS®
2. How do I repair parts in the Equations environment of the SOLIDWORKS® software, when I cannot specify a different type of configuration?

1. Event-Based Motion Analysis in SOLIDWORKS®

- Kundlik GADADE

SOLIDWORKS® Motion Studies can be classified into time-based and event-based simulations. While time-based studies are governed by time-dependent changes in motion elements, event-based motion focuses on a sequence of tasks triggered by specific events rather than by time alone.

In an event-based motion study, each task includes:

• A trigger, which initiates the action (e.g., based on time, a previous task, or sensor inputs like position),
• An action, which controls the movement (e.g., activating/suppressing mates, motors, or forces).

In the following example, a set of linear actuators are used to move a cube along a track. Each actuator is controlled through event triggers and performs a defined task. The result is a motion sequence where actions are conditionally executed, mimicking real-life logic-based automation.

To Set Up an Event-Based Motion Study:

1. Model and Assemble Components:
   • Design Individual Parts: Model the actuators, track, and cube using part modeling.
   • Assemble the Setup: Create a new assembly with the necessary mates that replicate linear actuator motion.

   • Position the Cube: Place the cube on the track in the desired starting location.

     
2. Configure the Motion Study
   1. Ensure the SOLIDWORKS Motion Add-in is enabled.
   2. Open the Motion Study tab and choose Motion Analysis from the dropdown.
   3. In the MotionManager, click the button in the lower-right to switch to Event-Based Motion View.
3. Add Motors and Contacts:
   1. Define Linear Motors: Assign motors to each actuator with the correct parameters (direction, speed, etc.).
   2. Set Up Contacts: Apply contact definitions between the cube and other components to ensure interaction.
   3. Enable Gravity: Add gravity in the Motion Study Properties to simulate realistic behavior.
4. Define Event Tasks:
   1. Click on “Click here to add” to create the first task.
      •  Trigger: Use Time as the initial trigger and specify a time delay.

      • Action: Under Feature, select the appropriate Linear Motor and set the action to On.

        
   2. For subsequent tasks:
      •  Set the Trigger as the previous task (e.g., Task1).
      • Assign the relevant motor or action in the Feature section.

   3. Repeat for all actuators/tasks to define the complete motion sequence.

      
   4. Run and Review the Animation:
      • Once all tasks and triggers are in place, click Calculate to process the animation.
      • Press Play to watch the motion sequence. The cube will move along the defined path as each actuator operates based on its trigger.

Summary:

Event-based motion studies allow for conditional, logic-driven animations without relying on fixed time sequences. They're ideal when the order of operations depends on interactions or events rather than time alone. After calculation, the Time column in the MotionManager provides a timeline for when each task starts and ends, giving a clear overview of the motion logic.

Below is the final result of the animation:

2. How do I repair parts in the Equations environment of the SOLIDWORKS® software, when I cannot specify a different type of configuration?

- Daniela KOLOSZKO

There are known cases when working in Equations dialog, you are not able to specify configuration for specific variable or equation. The configuration icon is missing.

This occurs often with legacy files using an old equations architecture . SOLIDWORKS® software redesigned the functionality in SOLIDWORKS 2018. The old architecture still uses suppress or unsuppress conditions to configure the equations. To repair this condition, you need to remove this dependency and save the model.

The basic process for repairing such parts is the following:

1. Go to the Equations manager and select Export your equations (remove the Link check box) for all configurations to a *.txt file.
2. You have to switch configurations in the dialog and name the files the same as the configuration name
3. Delete all the equations, and save the part in the current version of SOLIDWORKS®.
4. Reopen the model, you can then re-import the bulk of your equations which should be in the new architecture.

For automating this process, a macro “Remove ALL Equations.swp” is attached that will delete all the equations from a SOLIDWORKS® model, even the orphaned ones.

The macro helps to delete those equations which are normally not visible in the User Interface dialog and have to be deleted by programming methods.

To run the macro, follow this process:

1. Go to Tools>Macro>Run
2. Select the attached macro

3. You get a warning message

   

4. Confirm the operation and when it is completed, you will get message with the results and instructions to reopen the part and import the exported previously equations as *.txt file

   
5. In order the macro to work correctly, you need to check also if the correct SOLIDWORKS® version is specified in the macro settings.

Go to Tools>Macro>Edit and in the macro windows, select Tools>References. You will see the references listed for the specific version of SOLIDWORKS®. If the version is an old one or different from the current SOLIDWORKS® version, the macro will not work. In such cases, the references should be corrected by selecting the current version.

Disclaimer: The macro is provided as is and should be used as reference only. In no event shall Dassault Systèmes SolidWorks Corp. be liable for any types of damages whatsoever (including without limitation, damages from the loss of use, data, profits, or business) arising out of the uses of this information, applications, or services.