How Do You Use TolAnalyst in SolidWorks?

by

How Do You Use TolAnalyst in SolidWorks?

When it comes to ensuring the manufacturability of your designs, accurate tolerance analysis is crucial. SolidWorks provides a powerful tool called TolAnalyst that allows you to perform tolerance stack-up analysis right within the software. In this tutorial, we will explore how to use TolAnalyst effectively.

Step 1: Opening TolAnalyst

To begin using TolAnalyst, you first need to have a SolidWorks assembly open. Once you have your assembly ready, go to the “Evaluate” tab in the menu bar and click on “TolAnalyst.”

Note: It’s important to note that TolAnalyst is available only in SolidWorks Professional and Premium versions.

Step 2: Creating a Tolerance Stack-Up

Once you open TolAnalyst, you will see the interface divided into two main sections – the Tolerance Analysis Tree on the left and the 3D Model window on the right. To start your tolerance stack-up analysis, follow these steps:

  1. Select Assembly Components: In the Tolerance Analysis Tree, select all the components that are part of your stack-up analysis. You can use Ctrl+click or Shift+click to select multiple components.
  2. Add Dimensions: With the desired components selected, click on “Add Dimensions” in the Tolerance Analysis Tree.

    This will automatically capture all relevant dimensions from your assembly.

  3. Add Material Properties: If necessary, you can also add material properties for each component by clicking on “Add Material Properties” in the Tolerance Analysis Tree.
  4. Add Geometric Tolerances: To include geometric tolerances in your analysis, click on “Add Geometric Tolerances” in the Tolerance Analysis Tree and select the desired features.
  5. Define Assembly Constraints: If your assembly includes constraints, you can define them by clicking on “Define Assembly Constraints” in the Tolerance Analysis Tree. This step ensures that the analysis considers all relevant constraints.

Step 3: Running the Tolerance Analysis

Once you have completed defining your tolerance stack-up, it’s time to run the analysis. To do this, simply click on the “Run Analysis” button located at the top of the Tolerance Analysis Tree.

Note: It may take a few moments for SolidWorks to calculate the tolerance stack-up results, depending on the complexity of your assembly.

Step 4: Analyzing Results

After running the analysis, TolAnalyst will display detailed results in a table format. The results provide information about individual component variations, cumulative variations, and worst-case scenarios. You can sort and filter these results to gain deeper insights into your design’s manufacturability.

Step 5: Making Design Adjustments

If you find that your design does not meet the required manufacturing tolerances, TolAnalyst allows you to make adjustments directly within the interface. You can modify dimensions, change tolerances, or even add control frames to ensure proper fit and function.

In Conclusion

TolAnalyst in SolidWorks is an invaluable tool for performing tolerance stack-up analysis. By following these steps – opening TolAnalyst, creating a tolerance stack-up, running the analysis, analyzing results, and making necessary adjustments – you can ensure that your designs are manufacturable within specified tolerances. Remember to save your work regularly and refer back to TolAnalyst whenever changes are made to your assembly.

Happy designing with TolAnalyst in SolidWorks!