CSWP - Certified Solidworks Professional Assembly Mass Properties Analysis Questions and Answers

Question 1

An assembly includes a simplified model of a purchased electric motor. The motor's manufacturer has provided a specification sheet with the precise mass and center of mass location. To ensure the overall assembly's mass properties are accurate, what is the correct SOLIDWORKS procedure?

Accepted Answer

In the motor's part file, use the 'Override Mass Properties' feature to manually input the mass and center of mass from the specification sheet.

Answer

The 'Override Mass Properties' feature is specifically designed for this scenario. It allows the user to manually enter the exact mass, center of mass, and moments of inertia for a component, which then overrides the values calculated from the model's geometry and material. This is the standard and most accurate method for incorporating data for purchased components where the model is a simplified representation.

Question 2

An engineer runs the Mass Properties command on an assembly. The report indicates a Center of Mass at X=150, Y=-50, Z=200. By default, what do these coordinates represent?

Accepted Answer

The location of the assembly's balance point relative to the assembly's origin.

Answer

The Mass Properties tool calculates the center of mass, which is the unique point where the object would balance perfectly. By default, SOLIDWORKS reports the coordinates for this point with respect to the assembly's primary origin (0,0,0).

Question 3

You are asked to determine an assembly's Center of Mass relative to a specific vertex on a component, which is not the assembly origin. What is the most efficient and accurate procedure using the Mass Properties tool?

Accepted Answer

Create a new coordinate system at the desired vertex, then select this coordinate system in the 'Report coordinate values relative to' dropdown within the Mass Properties dialog box.

Answer

The Mass Properties dialog box includes a 'Report coordinate values relative to' option. The standard workflow for this task is to create a new reference coordinate system at the desired location (the vertex), and then select it from this dropdown menu. This prompts SOLIDWORKS to recalculate and display all relevant properties, including the Center of Mass, directly relative to that new reference.

Question 4

Which of the following is the MOST critical factor for ensuring an accurate mass properties calculation for a newly created assembly of manufactured parts?

Accepted Answer

Assigning the correct material to every component in the assembly.

Answer

The mass of a component is calculated using its volume (from the geometry) and the density of its assigned material (Mass = Volume × Density). If a material is not assigned, SOLIDWORKS uses a default density that is almost certainly incorrect. Therefore, assigning the correct material to each part is the most fundamental and critical step for an accurate result.

Question 5

In the Mass Properties report, what is the primary purpose of the values listed under 'Moments of inertia: (Taken at the center of mass and aligned with the output coordinate system.)'?

Accepted Answer

To provide input for advanced engineering analysis, such as dynamic simulation or stress analysis involving rotation.

Answer

Moments of inertia measure an object's resistance to a change in its rotational motion. These values (Ixx, Iyy, Izz, etc.) are critical inputs for engineering dynamics (Motion Analysis) and finite element analysis (FEA) software to accurately predict how an assembly will behave when subjected to torques or rotational forces.

(CSWP) Certified Solidworks Professional Practice Test

(CSWP) Certified Solidworks Professional Practice Test

CSWP - Certified Solidworks Professional Assembly Mass Properties Analysis Questions and Answers