# How to perform a basic stress analysis on a CAD model in SolidWorks

**URL:** <https://www.robotexchange.io/t/how-to-perform-a-basic-stress-analysis-on-a-cad-model-in-solidworks/4649>\
**Category:** 💡 How-to\
**Tags:** CAD, SolidWorks\
**Created:** [September 2, 2026, 12:15am UTC](https://www.robotexchange.io/t/how-to-perform-a-basic-stress-analysis-on-a-cad-model-in-solidworks/4649 "2026-09-02T00:15:03Z")\
**Posts on this page:** 1\
**Page:** 1

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**Author:** ![thijs](https://www.robotexchange.io/user_avatar/www.robotexchange.io/thijs/32/4_2.png) [@thijs](https://www.robotexchange.io/u/thijs)\
**Post date:** [September 2, 2026, 12:15am UTC](https://www.robotexchange.io/t/how-to-perform-a-basic-stress-analysis-on-a-cad-model-in-solidworks/4649/1 "2026-09-02T00:15:03Z")

</div>

_Based on contributions by Merv.mg._

This is a step-by-step guide to running a basic static stress analysis on a SolidWorks part, for when you need to check whether a design will hold up under load but haven’t used SolidWorks Simulation before.

## What you need

- SolidWorks with the Simulation add-in.
- A finished 3D part.
- The material and expected load(s) for the part.

## Steps

### 1. Enable the Simulation add-in

1. Go to **Tools → Add-Ins**.
2. Check the box next to **SolidWorks Simulation**.
3. This adds the **Simulation** tab to the SolidWorks interface.

 ![afbeelding](https://www.robotexchange.io/uploads/default/original/2X/d/d243bbe4fe9109f07d9bb5d4aa568591fd268407.png) ![afbeelding](https://www.robotexchange.io/uploads/default/original/2X/d/d56fb6dfa659cc1eba372adc1b0251f488a9a2ad.png)

### 2. Set up a new simulation study

1. In the **Simulation** tab, click **New Study**.
2. Select the analysis type — for stress analysis, choose **Static**.
3. Name the study and click OK. This creates a new Simulation study tab.

 ![afbeelding](https://www.robotexchange.io/uploads/default/original/2X/0/0ee5dde2a7ab95f860e1ba639006b17239d891c0.png)

### 3. Apply material

1. Select the part.
2. In the Simulation tab, click **Apply Material**.
3. Select the material the part will actually be made of.

 ![afbeelding](https://www.robotexchange.io/uploads/default/original/2X/4/4773de39a7fd60e52f0fe86986b29461ff1ad353.png) ![afbeelding](https://www.robotexchange.io/uploads/default/original/2X/5/597d3d61785a3529a5226c788afe15e8192ba306.png)

### 4. Apply fixtures

1. Right-click **Fixtures** in the Simulation tree and choose the appropriate fixture type (e.g. **Fixed Geometry** , **Roller/Slider** ).
2. Click the faces where the constraint applies. Fixtures prevent movement and rotation in the specified directions.

 ![afbeelding](https://www.robotexchange.io/uploads/default/original/2X/0/046b6692518d99c743b181ad9fd1fb04fc789c33.png) ![afbeelding](https://www.robotexchange.io/uploads/default/original/2X/3/36926e158bf6e839219eff76d3fc7959c983b1d6.png)

### 5. Apply external loads

1. Right-click **External Loads** in the Simulation tree and select the load type.
2. Select the surfaces or edges where the load applies.
3. Specify the magnitude and direction of the load.

 ![afbeelding](https://www.robotexchange.io/uploads/default/original/2X/d/db2ed64d0e9246032090bf0c21bdc0c72b650d43.png) ![afbeelding](https://www.robotexchange.io/uploads/default/original/2X/6/6526a9eb3930c7b2582aab2f2c361fe6fdc1b29e.png)

### 6. Mesh the model

1. Right-click **Mesh** in the Simulation tree and select **Create Mesh**.
2. Adjust the mesh density as needed — a finer mesh is usually more accurate but takes longer to compute.
3. Click OK to generate the mesh.

 ![afbeelding](https://www.robotexchange.io/uploads/default/original/2X/8/845a7f93fa2072276b4ab1c94a88b105241ac56f.png) ![afbeelding](https://www.robotexchange.io/uploads/default/original/2X/2/2d63454e0180466d86d51017cf8f2333d99be747.png)

### 7. Run the analysis

Once fixtures, loads, and mesh are set, click **Run** in the toolbar to start the simulation.

 ![afbeelding](https://www.robotexchange.io/uploads/default/original/2X/3/3ed3de2d97c61777d737bb3b6484540ed004a8aa.png)

### 8. Review the results

Right-click **Stress** and select **Show Plot** to view the stress results.

 ![afbeelding](https://www.robotexchange.io/uploads/default/original/2X/9/9a8972358668c0d08d19c36f28cf233ba8a9547d.png) ![afbeelding](https://www.robotexchange.io/uploads/default/original/2X/6/6edffa335728a4a8637ee003c1dfe0073976ec4b.png)

## Troubleshooting

- **Deformation is very large or the study doesn’t converge** — a static study assumes small, linear-elastic deformation. If your load causes large or plastic deformation, use a nonlinear study instead — see [How to use SolidWorks Design Study to estimate forces on an oddly shaped part](https://www.robotexchange.io/t/how-to-use-solidworks-design-study-to-estimate-forces-on-an-oddly-shaped-part/4648).
- **Simulation tab is missing** — recheck the add-in is enabled under Tools → Add-Ins.

## Related

- [How to use SolidWorks Design Study to estimate forces on an oddly shaped part](https://www.robotexchange.io/t/how-to-use-solidworks-design-study-to-estimate-forces-on-an-oddly-shaped-part/4648)

* * *

_Rewritten and consolidated (Sept 2026) from the original student how-to’s: [How to perform a stress analysis on a CAD model using SolidWorks](https://www.robotexchange.io/t/how-to-perform-a-stress-analysis-on-a-cad-model-using-solidworks/3323)._