Solidworks Motion

While the ease of rendering models into lifelike images and the ability to create smoothly curved parts is impressive, 'mates' takes it to another level again.

Controlled movement of components through the 'mate' function takes the guesswork out of how a mechanical device will operate. When there are a number of parts that work on each other, the results can be quite amazing for what is fundamentally an electronic drafting table.

I modelled this wine bottle opener which demonstrates how parts can be made to act in unison. As the top lever is raised the cogs draw the orange track upwards while it's vertically steadied by the red pin. The corkscrew head is free to rotate under the light blue cap and is forced to rotate in the olive green guide.

Solidworks also supports animation; click here to see it.