Certified SolidWorks Associate (CSWA) Exam — Questions and Answers

Question 1: A part has a critical face that is angled relative to the standard front, top, and right planes. To accurately dimension the features on this face, which type of drawing view must be created to show the face's true size and shape?

Section View
Detail View
Auxiliary View (Correct answer)
Broken-out Section

Correct answer: Auxiliary View

An Auxiliary View is specifically designed to show a true-size projection of a surface that is not parallel to any of the principal orthographic planes. It is created by projecting a view perpendicular to a selected edge of the angled face.

Question 2: You are tasked with creating a sketch of a plate with a circular hole in the center. To ensure the hole is always perfectly centered, which two entities should you relate with a 'Concentric' relation?

The center point of the circle and the midpoint of a plate edge.
The circle for the hole and a corner of the plate.
A vertical edge and a horizontal edge of the plate.
The outer edge of the plate (if circular) and the circle for the hole. (Correct answer)

Correct answer: The outer edge of the plate (if circular) and the circle for the hole.

A 'Concentric' relation forces two or more arcs or circles to share the same center point. By making the outer circular edge of the plate and the inner circle for the hole concentric, you ensure the hole is always perfectly centered, regardless of changes to their diameters.

Question 3: To create an engraved effect for a logo on the curved surface of a bottle, you have created a sketch on a plane tangent to the bottle. Which feature and type should be used to remove material from the bottle's face following the sketch?

Wrap feature with the 'Deboss' option. (Correct answer)
Wrap feature with the 'Emboss' option.
Wrap feature with the 'Scribe' option.
An Extruded Cut feature with the 'Offset from Surface' end condition.

Correct answer: Wrap feature with the 'Deboss' option.

The Wrap feature is used to project a sketch onto a curved (or flat) surface. To create an engraved or indented effect, which involves removing material, the 'Deboss' option is the correct choice. 'Emboss' adds material, and 'Scribe' only splits the face without adding or removing material.

Question 4: You need to send a complete SolidWorks assembly and all its referenced parts and drawings to a colleague. What is the primary purpose of the 'Pack and Go' tool?

To automatically simplify all complex parts to improve performance.
To compress the assembly file size for faster email transmission.
To create a single, read-only eDrawings file from the assembly.
To gather all referenced files into a single folder or zip file to prevent broken links. (Correct answer)

Correct answer: To gather all referenced files into a single folder or zip file to prevent broken links.

The primary function of Pack and Go is to collect an assembly or drawing file along with all its referenced documents (parts, sub-assemblies, etc.) and copy them to a new location, such as a single folder or a zip file. This ensures that when the assembly is opened on another computer, none of the file references are missing or broken.

Question 5: A conical-shaped recess around a hole that is often used to receive a tapered screw:

Center Line
Sweep
Counter Sink (Correct answer)
Assembly

Correct answer: Counter Sink

Explanation: <br> The Counter Sink refers to a conical-shaped recess around a hole, often used to receive a tapered screw. This feature allows the screw head to sit flush with the material surface, providing a smooth and finished appearance. Counter sinks are commonly used in various engineering and manufacturing applications for securing components together.

Question 6: Where is the SolidWorks 'Design Library' feature, which stores reusable parts and features, located?

PropertyManager
FeatureManager Design Tree
Task Pane (Correct answer)
CommandManager

Correct answer: Task Pane

The Design Library is accessed through the Task Pane on the right side of the SolidWorks interface.

Question 7: Which of the following best describes a 'driven' or 'reference' dimension in a SOLIDWORKS sketch?

A dimension that controls and changes the sketch geometry when its value is edited.
A dimension that is automatically created by the 'Fully Define Sketch' tool.
A dimension that links the sketch to a global variable or equation.
A read-only dimension that reports a measurement but does not control the sketch geometry. (Correct answer)

Correct answer: A read-only dimension that reports a measurement but does not control the sketch geometry.

A driven (or reference) dimension is for measurement purposes only. It is shown in gray and often in parentheses by default and will update if the geometry changes, but it cannot be edited to drive the geometry. This prevents over-defining the sketch.

Question 8: Which of the following mate types would be classified as an 'Advanced Mate' in SolidWorks?

Lock
Concentric
Width (Correct answer)
Tangent

Correct answer: Width

The Width mate is categorized as an Advanced Mate. It centers a tab between two planar faces. Tangent, Concentric, and Lock are all considered Standard Mates.

Question 9: When a sweep path does not lie on a single flat plane, which type of geometry is used to define it?

A standard 2D sketch on a reference plane
A reference axis only
A projected curve on a cylindrical face
A 3D sketch (Correct answer)

Correct answer: A 3D sketch

A 3D sketch allows you to create curves that exist in three-dimensional space, which is necessary when the sweep path is non-planar.

Question 10: How do you access the drafting standard setting (ANSI, ISO, etc.) in SolidWorks?

Insert > Annotations
File > Save As
Edit > Customize
Tools > Options > Document Properties > Drafting Standard (Correct answer)

Correct answer: Tools > Options > Document Properties > Drafting Standard

The drafting standard is set in Tools > Options > Document Properties > Drafting Standard.

Question 11: A scenario requires two gears to rotate relative to one another. The teeth must engage correctly, and the rotation of one gear should drive the other at a specified ratio. What is the most suitable mate for this application?

Hinge Mate
Concentric Mate
Gear Mate (Correct answer)
Tangent Mate

Correct answer: Gear Mate

The Gear Mate is a mechanical mate that forces two components to rotate relative to one another about selected axes. You can define a specific ratio to simulate the interaction between the gear teeth accurately.

Question 12: A user is creating a sketch for a part. After adding all dimensions and relations, all sketch lines turn black. What does this color indicate about the sketch's state?

The sketch is under defined and can move freely.
The sketch is over defined with conflicting information.
The sketch contains invalid geometry that needs to be repaired.
The sketch is fully defined and has no unconstrained degrees of freedom. (Correct answer)

Correct answer: The sketch is fully defined and has no unconstrained degrees of freedom.

In SolidWorks' default color scheme, black sketch entities indicate that the sketch is 'Fully Defined'. This is the desired state, meaning every entity's position and size is locked by dimensions and relations, preventing accidental changes. Blue indicates 'Under Defined'.

Question 13: When inserting the very first component into a new, empty assembly, what is its default state and what does the `(f)` prefix next to its name in the FeatureManager Design Tree signify?

The component is fixed, and the `(f)` indicates its origin is locked to the assembly's origin. (Correct answer)
The component is floating, and the `(f)` indicates it is the 'first' component.
The component is flexible, and the `(f)` indicates its sub-assembly components can move.
The component is floating, meaning it has all degrees of freedom.

Correct answer: The component is fixed, and the `(f)` indicates its origin is locked to the assembly's origin.

By default, SolidWorks fixes the first component placed into an assembly. This action locks the component's origin to the assembly's origin, providing a stable, immovable base for all subsequent components. The `(f)` prefix is the visual indicator in the FeatureManager Design Tree that a component is fixed.

Question 14: Which of the following can be used as a Sweep path in SolidWorks?

A single open sketch only
A single closed sketch only
A model face only
An open or closed sketch, or a set of model edges (Correct answer)

Correct answer: An open or closed sketch, or a set of model edges

A sweep path can be an open or closed sketch or a set of model edges, providing flexibility in defining the trajectory of the sweep.

Certified SolidWorks Associate (CSWA) Exam

The CSWA exam validates foundational skills in SolidWorks 3D CAD, covering part modeling, assembly modeling, and drawing/detailing.

Questions

180 min

Time Limit

71%

To Pass

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