CSWSA-FEA
The Certified SolidWorks Simulation Associate - Finite Element Analysis (CSWSA-FEA) certification indicates a foundation in and apprentice knowledge of demonstrating an understanding in the principles of stress analysis and the Finite Element Method (FEM).
The main requirement for obtaining the CSWSA-FEA certification is to take and pass the on-line 120 minute exam which consists of 20 questions.
Exam Length: 2 hours
Minimum Passing grade: 70% (70 points out of 100 points total)
Re-test Policy: There is a minimum 30 day waiting period between every attempt of the CSWSA-FEA exam. Also, a CSWSA-FEA exam credit must be purchased for each exam attempt.
All candidates receive electronic certificates and personal listing on the CSWSA-FEA directory* when they pass.
Note: You must use at least SolidWorks Premium 2012 or SolidWorks Student Edition 2012 for this exam. Any use of a previous or lower version will result in the inability to open some of the testing files or access some of the needed functionality.
The questions consist of 3 hands-on problems, single answer, multiple choice, yes/no and multiple selection for a total of 100 points. Point allocation ranges from 3 points to 20 points per question, depending on the difficulty.
Qualified schools that are CSWA Providers may apply to become CSWSA-FEA Providers. Minimum network license on subscription apply.
Anyone can take this exam including students and commercial SolidWorks users. The intended audience to take and pass the CSWSA-FEA exam is anyone with a minimum of 6 - 9 months of SolidWorks and SolidWorks Simulation experience and knowledge in the following areas:
- Basic View Creation
- Engineering Mechanics - Statics
- Strength of Materials
- Finite Element Method / Finite Element Analysis Theory
- Applied concepts in SolidWorks Simulation:
- Top level
- Defining Static Analysis Study
- Applying Materials
- Working with Solid and Sheet Metal models
- Defining Solid, Shell, and Beam elements
- Applying and modifying Connections, Contact Set, and Contact Type
- Defining Standard and Advanced Fixtures and External loads
- Knowledge setting and modifying of SI/English units
- Defining Local and Global coordinate systems
- Understanding the axial forces, sheer forces, bending moments, factor of safety
- Defining Connector properties such as Contact Sets, No Penetration, Bonded
- Setting up and modifying plots to display in the Results folder
- Working with Multibody parts as different solid bodies
- Creating different mesh types, quality, and parameters for parts and assemblies
- Selecting different solvers as directed to optimize problems
- Determining if results are valid and make sense
- Understanding the types of problems SolidWorks Simulation can solve
- Using SolidWorks Simulation Help
*This option must be set in your online certification account to show up in the directory.
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