Top 25 Solidworks Interview Questions

📌 Basic Level

What is SolidWorks and what are its primary applications?

Answer:

SolidWorks is a parametric, feature-based 3D CAD software used for designing parts, assemblies, and drawings. It is widely used in mechanical, automotive, aerospace, product design, and manufacturing industries for 3D modeling, simulation, rendering, and documentation.

Explain the difference between Part, Assembly, and Drawing files in SolidWorks.

Answer:

• Part (.SLDPRT): A single 3D component or part.
• Assembly (.SLDASM): Combination of multiple parts joined using mates to form a complete product.
• Drawing (.SLDDRW): 2D representation of parts or assemblies for manufacturing, including dimensions, annotations, and views.

What are the basic features you can create in SolidWorks?

Answer: Basic features include Extrude, Revolve, Sweep, Loft, Fillet, Chamfer, Shell, Mirror, and Pattern.

How do you create a sketch and what are the important sketch relations?

Answer: A sketch is created on a plane or face using 2D drawing tools (lines, circles, arcs). Important relations include Horizontal, Vertical, Coincident, Collinear, Tangent, Perpendicular, Equal, and Symmetric — they control geometry behavior.

What is the difference between ‘Extrude’ and ‘Revolve’? Answer:

• Extrude: Extends a sketch in a straight line perpendicular to the sketch plane.
• Revolve: Rotates a sketch profile around an axis to create a solid.

Explain the concept of Parametric Modeling.

Answer: Parametric modeling uses dimensions and constraints to define geometry. Changes to parameters automatically update the model, ensuring design intent and easy modifications.

What is Design Intent in SolidWorks?

Answer: Design intent defines how your model responds to changes. It ensures that parts behave predictably when dimensions are changed — maintaining critical relationships and constraints.

How do you add dimensions to a sketch?

Answer: Use the Smart Dimension tool. Select sketch entities and place dimensions to control size and position.

What are Constraints in SolidWorks?

Answer: Constraints (relations) control how sketch elements behave relative to each other. Examples: Horizontal, Vertical, Parallel, Perpendicular, Tangent, Equal, Coincident.

How do you check if your sketch is fully defined?

Answer: Fully defined sketches appear black; under-defined elements are blue. The status bar shows the sketch condition. Use constraints and dimensions to fully define sketches.

📌 Intermediate Level

What is a Configuration in SolidWorks?

Answer: Configurations are variations of a part or assembly within a single file. You can change dimensions, suppress features, or use different components — useful for families of products.

Explain the use of Design Table.

Answer: A Design Table is an Excel sheet embedded in SolidWorks to create and manage configurations automatically by defining parameter values in tabular form.

How do you create an Assembly in SolidWorks?

Answer: Open a new Assembly document, insert parts, and apply mates to define how components fit and move together.

What are Mates in Assemblies?

Answer: Mates define relationships between components in an assembly (e.g., coincident, parallel, concentric) to control position and motion.

What is Interference Detection and how do you use it?

Answer: It checks for overlapping geometry between parts in an assembly. Accessed through Evaluate → Interference Detection to find and fix design clashes.

Explain how to use Feature Manager Design Tree.

Answer: The Feature Manager shows all features, sketches, and references in a model. It helps navigate, edit, reorder, and suppress features.

What is a Reference Geometry? Give examples.

Answer: Reference geometry helps build features relative to new planes, axes, or coordinate systems. Examples: Planes, Axes, Points, Coordinate Systems.

How do you perform Draft Analysis?

Answer: Use the Draft Analysis tool to check if faces have enough taper for manufacturing processes like injection molding. It shows positive/negative draft angles with color codes.

What is Pack and Go? When would you use it?

Answer: Pack and Go collects all referenced files (parts, assemblies, drawings) into a single folder or zip for sharing, archiving, or transferring projects.

Explain how to apply Material and check Mass Properties.

Answer: Right-click Material → Edit Material to assign material properties (density, strength). Use Evaluate → Mass Properties to calculate weight, volume, center of mass, etc.

📌 Advanced Level

How do you create complex surfaces in SolidWorks?

Answer: Use Surfacing tools like Boundary Surface, Filled Surface, Lofted Surface, and Trim Surface. Surfacing is used for freeform shapes where solid features are not sufficient.

What is Sheet Metal feature in SolidWorks? How is it different from normal modeling?

Answer: The Sheet Metal module is specialized for designing bent sheet parts. It uses bends, flanges, and flat patterns — unlike solid modeling, it ensures manufacturability and generates flat layouts for laser cutting.

How do you perform Motion Analysis or Simulation in SolidWorks?

Answer: Use SolidWorks Motion or Simulation add-ins to analyze kinematics, dynamics, stress, heat, etc. Set up fixtures, loads, materials, mesh, and run the simulation.

What is PDM (Product Data Management) in context of SolidWorks?

Answer: SolidWorks PDM helps manage CAD files, revisions, workflows, and permissions — ensuring data security, version control, and team collaboration.

How do you collaborate with other CAD formats or convert files for other software?

Answer: SolidWorks imports and exports various formats (STEP, IGES, Parasolid, STL, DWG, DXF). Use File → Save As and select the required format for compatibility with other CAD/CAM software.