*Interview Question*
First Angle projection:
In first-angle projection, the object is placed in the first quadrant, which means it is located between the
observer and the plane of projection. The views are then projected onto the planes behind the object.
Third-Angle Projection
In third-angle projection, the object is placed in the third quadrant, meaning it is located behind the
plane of projection. The views are projected onto planes in front of the object
Stress: is the internal force per unit area within materials that arises from externally applied forces,
temperature changes, or other factors. It is measured in units such as pascals (Pa) or pounds per square
inch (psi).
Strain: is the deformation or displacement of material that results from an applied stress. It is a
dimensionless measure of how much a material stretches or compresses relative to its original
lengthlength.
Types of mates in solidworks.
Standard Mates:
Coincident: Aligns two faces, edges, or vertices so they lie on the same plane or line.
Parallel: Makes two faces or edges parallel to each other.
Perpendicular: Makes two faces or edges perpendicular to each other.
Distance: Sets a specific distance between two entities.
Angle: Sets a specific angle between two entities.
Advanced Mates:
Symmetric: Forces two entities to be symmetric about a plane or planar face.
Width: Centers a tab within a slot or between two faces.
Path Mate: Constrains a component to follow a path.
Linear/Linear Coupler: Connects the motion of one component to the linear motion of another.
Lock: Locks the position and orientation of a component relative to another component.
Mechanical Mates:
Cam: Constrains a cam follower to a cam path.
Gear: Connects two components with a gear ratio.
Rack and Pinion: Converts rotary motion into linear motion.
Screw: Converts rotary motion into linear motion (like a lead screw).
Hinge: Restricts movement to one rotational degree of freedom, similar to a hinge.
Profile Center Mate:
Centers a selected profile in the middle of another selected profile.
Slot Mate:
Constrains a component to move along a slot.
Limit Mates:
Limit Distance: Sets the minimum and maximum distance between two entities.
Limit Angle: Sets the minimum and maximum angle between two entities.
[Link] works interview questions along with answers
What is SolidWorks?
Answer: SolidWorks is a computer-aided design (CAD) and computer-aided engineering (CAE) software
program. It is used primarily for creating 3D models and 2D drawings of parts and assemblies.
Developed by Dassault Systèmes, SolidWorks is widely used in industries like aerospace, automotive,
and manufacturing.
What are the main features of SolidWorks?
Answer: Some main features include parametric modeling, assembly modeling, sheet metal design,
weldments, surfacing, and simulation tools. It also offers a variety of add-ins for tasks such as finite
element analysis (FEA), CAM, and product data management (PDM).
Intermediate Questions
Explain the difference between a part and an assembly in SolidWorks.
Answer: A part (.sldprt) is a single 3D object created using features like extrudes, cuts, and fillets. An
assembly (.sldasm) consists of multiple parts brought together to form a more complex model.
Assemblies can include mates to define relationships between parts.
What are mates in SolidWorks and how do they function?
Answer: Mates are constraints that define the relative positioning of parts in an assembly. Common
mates include coincident, parallel, perpendicular, and concentric. Mates ensure that parts stay in their
defined relationships as the assembly moves.
Describe the process of creating a drawing from a part or assembly in SolidWorks.
Answer: To create a drawing, you first create or open a part or assembly. Then, select "Make Drawing
from Part/Assembly" in the file menu. SolidWorks opens a drawing template where you can place
different views (e.g., front, top, side) and add dimensions, annotations, and other details.
Advanced Questions
How would you optimize a large assembly in SolidWorks for better performance?
Answer: Techniques to optimize large assemblies include using lightweight mode, large assembly mode,
or speedpak. You can also simplify parts, reduce the number of mates, and use configurations to
manage complex models. Suppressing unused parts and subassemblies can also improve performance.
Explain the concept of design tables and how they are used in SolidWorks.
Answer: Design tables use Excel spreadsheets to create multiple configurations of a part or assembly.
They allow you to define dimensions, features, and properties for each configuration, enabling efficient
management of variations without manually creating each one.
What is a sweep feature and how is it created?
Answer: A sweep feature creates a 3D shape by moving a profile along a path. To create a sweep, you
need a sketch for the profile and another sketch for the path. You select the profile and path in the
sweep feature command, and SolidWorks generates the 3D shape accordingly.
Simulation and Analysis Questions
How do you perform a static analysis in SolidWorks Simulation?
Answer: To perform a static analysis, you first ensure you have the Simulation add-in activated. Then,
create a new study, apply materials, define fixtures and loads, mesh the model, and run the analysis.
Finally, review the results for stress, displacement, and factor of safety.
What is the purpose of using configurations in SolidWorks?
Answer: Configurations allow you to create multiple variations of a part or assembly within a single file.
They are useful for managing different sizes, features, or versions of a model without duplicating files.
Configurations can streamline design processes and reduce errors.
Practical Questions
Can you explain how to use the shell feature in SolidWorks?
Answer: The shell feature removes material from the inside of a part, leaving a thin-walled shell. To use
it, select the shell feature, specify the wall thickness, and choose the faces to remove. SolidWorks then
hollows out the part according to your specifications.
Describe how to use the loft feature in SolidWorks.
Answer: The loft feature creates a 3D shape by transitioning between multiple profiles. To use it, create
sketches of the profiles on different planes. Then, select the loft feature and choose the profiles in
order. SolidWorks generates a smooth transition between the profiles.
Mechanical engineer technical interview question with short answers.
What is the difference between thermoplastics and thermosetting plastics?
Answer: Thermoplastics can be melted and remolded multiple times, while thermosetting plastics, once
cured, cannot be remelted or remolded.
What are the laws of thermodynamics?
Answer:First Law (Law of Energy Conservation): Energy cannot be created or destroyed, only transferred
or changed in form.
Second Law: Entropy of an isolated system always increases; heat cannot spontaneously flow from a
colder location to a hotter location.
Third Law: As the temperature approaches absolute zero, the entropy of a system approaches a
constant minimum.
What is the difference between stress and strain?
Answer: Stress is the internal force per unit area within materials that arises from externally applied
forces, while strain is the deformation or displacement of material that results from an applied stress.
Explain the working principle of a four-stroke engine.
Answer: The four-stroke engine operates through four stages: intake, compression, power, and exhaust.
The intake stroke draws in air-fuel mixture, the compression stroke compresses it, the power stroke
ignites it to create power, and the exhaust stroke expels the combustion gases.
What is Bernoulli's principle?
Answer: Bernoulli's principle states that an increase in the speed of a fluid occurs simultaneously with a
decrease in pressure or potential energy of the fluid.
Describe the function of a heat exchanger.
Answer: A heat exchanger transfers heat between two or more fluids (liquid or gas) without mixing
them, often used in heating, cooling, and refrigeration systems.
What is fatigue in materials?
Answer: Fatigue refers to the weakening of a material caused by repeatedly applied loads, leading to the
formation of cracks and ultimately failure at stress levels lower than the material's ultimate tensile
strength.
How do you differentiate between a pump and a compressor?
Answer: A pump is used to move liquids or slurries, whereas a compressor is used to increase the
pressure of gases by reducing their volume.
What are the main types of gears used in mechanical engineering?
Answer: The main types of gears include spur gears, helical gears, bevel gears, worm gears, and
planetary gears, each used for different applications based on their unique characteristics.
What is the purpose of a flywheel in an engine?
Answer: A flywheel stores rotational energy to smooth out the engine's power delivery, maintain
consistent rotational speed, and aid in the engine's starting process.
What is Solidworks?
Solidworks is a CAD (Computer-Aided Design) and CAE (Computer-Aided Engineering) software used for
designing, simulating, and managing products.
How do you create a new part in Solidworks?
To create a new part, go to File > New > Part, then use sketch tools to draw the base geometry and
features to add details.
What are mates in Solidworks assemblies?
Mates define relationships between parts in an assembly, controlling how parts fit together and move
relative to each other.
What is the purpose of the Feature Manager Design Tree?
It organizes and displays all features, sketches, and reference geometry in a part or assembly, allowing
for easy navigation and editing.
How do you create a 3D sketch in Solidworks?
To create a 3D sketch, select Sketch > 3D Sketch, then use the 3D sketch tools to draw in three
dimensions.
Can you explain what parametric modeling is?
Parametric modeling uses parameters (dimensions, constraints) to define a model's shape and allows
easy updates by changing these parameters.
What is a configuration in Solidworks?
Configurations allow you to create multiple versions of a part or assembly within a single document,
each with different dimensions, features, or properties.
How do you perform a simulation in Solidworks?
Use Solidworks Simulation by setting up a study, defining material properties, applying loads and
restraints, meshing the model, and running the analysis.
What is the use of the “Convert Entities” tool?
The "Convert Entities" tool projects edges, faces, or curves from existing geometry onto the current
sketch plane, simplifying sketch creation.
How do you ensure a drawing is fully defined?
Ensure all dimensions and constraints are applied so that there are no underdefined (blue) or
overdefined (red) sketches, turning them fully defined (black).
What is a design table?
A design table is an Excel spreadsheet embedded in a Solidworks model that allows for the creation and
management of multiple configurations systematically.
What are reference planes and why are they important?
Reference planes are flat surfaces used to create sketches and features at specific orientations or
positions, essential for complex designs.
How do you use the “Loft” feature in Solidworks?
The "Loft" feature creates a solid or surface by transitioning between multiple profiles, which can be
sketches or edges, along a guide curve.
What is PDM in Solidworks?
PDM (Product Data Management) is a system that manages design data and documents, facilitating
collaboration and ensuring version control.
How do you import files from other CAD software into Solidworks?
Use File > Open, select the appropriate file type, and then import options to correctly interpret and
convert the geometry from other CAD formats.
Explain the term “Design Intent.”
Design Intent refers to the way a model is built to behave predictably when changes are made, ensuring
the model updates logically as per the design's purpose.
What is the function of the “Hole Wizard”?
The "Hole Wizard" simplifies the creation of complex holes, including standard-sized drilled holes,
countersinks, and counterbores, by using predefined parameters.
How do you create a sheet metal part in Solidworks?
Use the sheet metal tools to create bends, flanges, and other sheet metal features, starting with a base
flange or converting a solid part to sheet metal.
What is the “Pack and Go” feature?
"Pack and Go" packages all related files of a Solidworks project, including parts, assemblies, and
drawings, into a single folder or zip file for easy sharing.
What is the use of “Derived Sketch”?
A "Derived Sketch" copies the geometry of an existing sketch, allowing changes in one to update the
other, maintaining a relationship between the two sketches.
