SOLIDWORKS
Essentials
The SOLIDWORKS Essentials courseteaches you how to use the SOLIDWORKS mechanical design automation software to build parametric models of parts and assemblies, and how to make drawings of those parts and assemblies
Overview
Skills to Advance Initiative
This course is only available to those currently in employment and fully funded under the Skills to Advance initiative.
Skills to Advance is a national initiative that provides upskilling and reskilling opportunities to employees in jobs undergoing change and to those currently employed in vulnerable sectors. Skills to Advance aims to equip employees with the skills they need to progress in their current role or to adapt to the changing job market. Skills to Advance helps employers identify skills needs and invest in their workforce by providing subsidised education and training to staff.
If you would like more information on this initiative, please email our Enterprise Engagement Team at skills@kwetb.ie and they would be delighted to help.
Course Content
The SOLIDWORKS Essentials course is recommended to anyone new to SOLIDWORKS. Whether you have migrated from 2D CAD, another 3D system, or have no experience with CAD at all this course is suitable for you. Starting from the very basics of the program, the course develops looking at modelling essentials required for day to day use of the software, right through to some advanced topics for automating designs. Part and Assembly modelling and also the 2D drawing environment are introduced during this course.
Learning Outcomes
Lesson 1: SOLIDWORKS Basics and the User Interface: - The first lesson of this course introduces the user to the principal components of the SOLIDWORKS user interface and helps them to understand how different dimensioning methodologies convey different design intents.
Lesson 2: Introduction to Sketching - Lesson 2 introduces the user to creating new sketches, using sketch geometry and establishing sketch relations between separate pieces of geometry. Finally the user will learn how to extrude sketches to form 3D solid bodies.
Lesson 3: Basic Part Modelling - In lesson 3 of the course the user will become familiar with the basics of part modelling, learning how to use certain features to create cuts, holes and fillets. They will be taught how to use the editing tools to make changes to parts, and finally, how to create an engineering drawing from their parts.
Lesson 4: Symmetry and Draft - Lesson 4 brings the focus back to design intent. In this lesson the user is introduced to symmetry within their sketches and how to use end conditions within features. They will also learn how to edit the definition and parameters of a feature and regenerate their model.
Lesson 5: Patterning - Lesson 5 familiarises the user with pattern features within SOLIDWORKS and demonstrates how to automate the process of fully defining a sketch. The user will also learn how to create and use the references geometry type’s axes and planes.
Lesson 6: Revolved Features - Lesson 6 teaches the user to create multi-body parts using more complex features such as revolve and sweep. They are shown how to calculate the physical properties of a part and how to perform rudimentary, first pass stress analysis.
Lesson 7: Shelling and Ribs - Lesson 7 focusses on familiarising the user with manufacturing related features such as draft, shell and ribs.
Lesson 8: Editing: Repairs - Upon successful completion of lesson 8 the user will understand how to diagnose problems in a part and repair them using the rollback feature. The user will also be introduced to the FeatureXpert tool to aid in repair.
Lesson 9: Editing: Design Changes - In lesson 9 the user is encouraged to utilize all available tools to edit and make changes to a part, they are taught how different modelling techniques influence the ability to modify a part.
Lesson 10: Configurations - Lesson 10 focuses on configurations, teaching the user how to suppress and unsuppress features in different configurations, change dimension values, and understand the ramifications of making changes to parts that have configurations.
Lesson 11: Global Variables and Equations - This lesson looks at using global variables to tie dimension values together and using equations to give dimensions mathematical rules. The user will become comfortable with these tools and understand the scope of control they can have over their model.
Lesson 12: Using Drawings - Lesson 12 looks into drawings in more detail, teaching the user to create and modify several types of drawing views and then add annotations.
Lesson 13: Bottom-Up Assembly Modelling - Lesson 13 introduces the user to assembly modelling, bringing separate parts together into an assembly and adding mating relationships between them. The user will also be taught how to use configurations of parts within assemblies and how to add sub-assemblies.
Lesson 14: Using Assemblies - The final lesson of this course shows the user how to create exploded views of their assemblies and perform mass property calculations, this information, along with other part properties, is then used to create a BOM that can be copied over to a drawing.
Collaboration
Solid Solutions Ireland in collaboration with CELTEC (Celbridge Engineering Lab Training and Education Centre) is providing SOLIDWORKS Essentials training.
Suitability
No prior knowledge of SOLIDWORKS is expected.
Delivery
This course is delivered over 4 days. These are all physical classes at CELTEC, Celbridge, Co. Kildare.
Learners must be available for all days as this is an intensive course with much content to cover over this period.
Certification
Certificate of Completion (CPD for Engineers Ireland). Course suitable for sitting the Certified SOLIDWORKS Associate (CSWA) exam
Expression of Interest
We currently don't have this course scheduled. If you are interested in undertaking this course or looking for more information, please complete the form below and a member of our Recruitment Team will be in contact:
CELTEC (Celbridge Engineering Lab Training and Education Centre) in Co. Kildare is a facility focused on advanced manufacturing and technical education. It offers specialised training in areas like robotics, industrial systems, additive manufacturing, and Industry 4.0 technologies.
The center emphasises hands-on learning through state-of-the-art equipment, including robotics, cobotics, and virtual reality systems, and fosters expertise in areas like precision engineering and pharmaceutical processes.
The facility includes modern classrooms equipped with multimedia learning tools and advanced laboratories for engineering and industrial training. CELTEC is part of the Kildare Wicklow Education and Training Board's initiatives and provides traineeships and skill development programs tailored for employment in technical and manufacturing roles. Courses often integrate classroom instruction with online, blended, and immersive learning technologies
