Mate PropertyManager - Analysis Tab

You can assign mate properties for use in SOLIDWORKS Motion and SOLIDWORKS Simulation analysis. You can add the properties without having SOLIDWORKS Motion or SOLIDWORKS Simulation added in.

To add analysis properties to mates:

  1. Pre-select a mate:
    • Existing mates: Right-click the mate in the FeatureManager design tree and select Edit Feature .
    • New Mates: Define on the Mates tab in the Mate PropertyManager.
  2. In the PropertyManager, on the Mates tab, select a mate in Mates.
  3. Click on the Analysis tab.

Option

Mate Location Overrides the default mate location with the point you select. The mate location point determines how parts move in relation to each other. The mate location is always a point. If you select another type of entity such as a face for the mate location, the mate location is at the center of the selected entity.
  Treat interference as a shrink/press fit Treats mates that force interference as a shrink fit in SOLIDWORKS Simulation.

Load Bearing Faces

You can associate additional faces with a mate to define which faces share in bearing the load. (Not available for Symmetric, Width, Path, or Cam mates.)

Example: Load Bearing Faces

Load-bearing Faces/Edges In the graphics area, select faces from any component referenced by the mate.
  Treat as Bonded if touching If the selected faces are touching, applies a bonded contact between them in SOLIDWORKS Simulation.
  Isolate components Click to display only the components referenced by the mate. Click Exit Isolate (Isolate pop-up toolbar) to return the display to its original state.

Friction

You can associate friction properties with some types of mates. See mate types under Joint dimensions below.

Parameters Select how to define the friction properties of the mate:

Specify materials

Select the materials of the components from lists and .

Specify coefficient

Specify Dynamic Friction Coefficient by typing a number or moving the slider between Slippery and Sticky.

Joint dimensions Available dimensions vary depending on geometry and mate type.
Geometry Dimensions Mate Types
Spherical
  • Coincident mate between any two vertices, sketch points, or reference points
  • Concentric mate between two spherical faces
Cylindrical
  • Concentric mate between two cylindrical faces
  • Coincident mate between two linear entities (edges, axes, temporary axes, sketch lines)
Translational Coincident mate between two planar faces
Planar Coincident mate between two planar faces
Universal Joint Universal Joint mate

Bushing

You can associate bushing properties with a mate. Bushing properties make a mate somewhat flexible by giving it spring and damper characteristics. Mates with bushing properties can produce a more realistic distribution of forces in SOLIDWORKS Motion analyses. See Bushings.

Translational

Isotropic

Select to apply uniform translational properties. Clear to specify different properties in each direction. For example, a bushing mount for a suspension arm has different properties in Z-axis than in the X-axis or Y-axis.

Stiffness

Enter the translational stiffness coefficient.

Damping

Enter the translational damping coefficient.

Force

Enter the preload applied.
Torsional

Isotropic

Select to apply uniform torsional properties. Clear to specify different properties in each direction. For example, a bushing mount for a suspension arm has different properties in Z-axis than in the X-axis or Y-axis.

Stiffness

Enter the torsional stiffness coefficient.

Damping

Enter the torsional damping coefficient.

Torque

Enter the preload applied.