Breadcrumbs

Part material

Create new material in the database

A SolidWorks material can be linked to a Flow material, but it is not mandatory. If linking is made, changing the material item on SolidWorks will automatically update the part properties.

In the instructions, the material is first defined in SolidWorks, then a new material item is created to Flow.

The instruction can also be applied when a Flow item is already created but not linked to SolidWorks materials.


Material definition in SolidWorks


sw materials


Before moving to the next phase, find out in which folder the defined material is stored e.g. SOLIDWORKS DIN Materials, and check the equivalent filename.

Folder name in Solidworks Material library

Equivalent material file name

SOLIDWORKS DIN Materials

SolidWorks DIN Materials.sldmat

SOLIDWORKS Materials

solidWorks materials.sldmat

Custom Materials

Custom Materials.sldmat


Material files can be found in the paths:

  • C:\Program Files\SOLIDWORKS Corp\SOLIDWORKS\lang\english\sldmaterials

    • solidWorks materials.sldmat

    • SolidWorks DIN Materials.sldmat

  • C:\ProgramData\SOLIDWORKS\SOLIDWORKS <version>\Custom Materials

    • Custom Materials.sldmat

Material definition in Flow

Defining material

A material item can be linked to a SolidWorks material using the Material field in the SW block.

  • Material field data e.g. "solidWorks materials:Alumina" consists of two sections separated by colon (:)

    • material file name without .sldmat

    • material name in the previous file, which is the same as the material name in SolidWorks material library 

Before creating a new material item, make sure you can find the needed material on the material selection list in SW block

material_list.png


If material can't be found on the selection list, system administrator needs to define it first in portal

  • Portal > System Administration > Miscellaneous > Attribute values.

    • Attribute: COMPONENT_SWMATER

    • Description: [material filename without .sldt]:[material name]

    • Value: same as the description

    • Order: order in the selection list


Ensure that the file name and material name in the description field are exactly right and there aren't extra spaces.


portal_swmater.png


Creating material item

  1. Create a new material item to Flow in the user interface

  2. Link material to SolidWorks material by Material field in SW block (COMPONENT_SWMATER)


sw block



Defining material for a part

  1. Start Open Flow object command

  2. Search suitable material items from Flow

  3. Drag and drop material items from the browser window to SolidWorks model window

    1. SolidWorks notifies about new material with dialog

  4. Save a model to apply changes to Flow and SolidWorks item structures

material notification