Here is an error message that I get on a fairly regular basis on the support line:

This is a pretty simple problem to solve. This error means that the model is not sufficiently restrained to allow the solver to reach a solution. This could be caused either by a lack of restraints or incorrect contact conditions. To trouble shoot this, right click on the study name and select Properties. In the solver box, there will be an option that says “Use soft spring to stabilize model”.

This option artificially stabilizes the model by attaching a soft spring element to every node in the model. This stabilizes the model just enough to allow the solver to come up with a solution. Re-run the analysis after activating the soft spring option. You will probably get a large displacement error message. Click No. Clicking Yes will activate the large displacement flag which will apply the load in small steps. This is not what we are going for here. We just want to see where the model is inadequately restrained.

Once the solver finishes, animate the results by right clicking on one of the result plots and selecting Animate. This should show you what is happening with the model. You may see movement that you would not expect. All degrees of freedom need to be restrained, even if motion is not expected in a given direction. Add the additional restraints or contact conditions then re-run the analysis. Once the analysis is behaving as expected, make sure you deactivate the soft spring option. The soft spring elements can slightly affect your stress results so always deactivate the soft spring option before trusting your results.

Tags: 3DVision, Seth Bischoff, Singular Matrix Error, SolidWorks Simulation, Tips and Tricks

This entry was posted on Thursday, May 14th, 2009 at 10:41 am and is filed under COSMOSWorks, Tips & Tricks. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.