docs(examples): prompt-to-SolidWorks tutorials + free SimulationXpress walkthroughs #80

Goal

Make it easy for new users to go from a natural-language prompt to a working SolidWorks model/simulation using this MCP server. Builds on #31 ("SoC tutorial, end-to-end demo, and best-practices guide") by adding concrete worked examples and — critically — a free FEA section using SimulationXpress (included with every SolidWorks Standard / Professional / Maker license, no add-in purchase required).

Why this matters

Right now a new user has to reverse-engineer how to chain tool calls from the source code. Examples lower that barrier dramatically and demonstrate the value of the MCP server to potential contributors.

Proposed docs/tutorials/ structure

docs/tutorials/
  01_first_part.md          # Hello-world: create a simple extruded part from a prompt
  02_assembly_with_mates.md # Load parts, add mates, check interference
  03_drawing_export.md      # Auto-generate a drawing + export PDF/DWG
  04_simulationxpress.md    # FREE FEA: stress + safety factor, no paid add-in
  05_parametric_variants.md # Global variables + configurations (#27   06_topo_opt_loop.md       # Cheapo topo-opt via parametric cuts (#76)

Tutorial 04 — SimulationXpress (FREE, [Maker] compatible)

SimulationXpress is bundled with SolidWorks Standard / Professional / Maker. It requires no extra license or add-in beyond the base installation.

What SimulationXpress can do (GUI-only, no COM API)

• Apply fixed geometry constraints
• • Apply force / pressure loads
• • • Run a linear static FEA analysis
• • • • Show Von Mises stress + safety factor plots
• • • • • Step 6 "Optimize": sweep one dimension variable over a range and find the value that keeps safety factor ≥ target (parametric, NOT topology optimization)

Workflow for tutorial 04

Since SimulationXpress has no COM API, the MCP-assisted workflow is:

1. Prompt → Part (fully automated via MCP):
3. "Create a 100×20×5 mm aluminum bracket with a 6 mm through-hole centered 15 mm from one end."
5. MCP calls: create_part → create_sketch → create_extrusion → add_circle → create_cut_extrude → save_file
6. Set up material (automated):
8. "Apply 6061-T6 aluminum alloy to the bracket."
10. MCP call: get_material_properties / material assignment
11. Hand off to SimulationXpress (user-driven, GUI):
12. • Open: Evaluate → SimulationXpress Analysis Wizard
13. • Step 1 Fixtures: fix the hole face
14. • Step 2 Loads: 500 N downward on the end face
15. • Step 3 Material: confirm 6061-T6
16. • Step 4 Run: click Analyze
17. • Step 5 Results: view Von Mises stress, note safety factor
18. • Step 6 Optimize (optional): select the bracket thickness dimension, sweep 3–10 mm, target SF ≥ 3×
19. Interpret results (prompt → summary):
20. The user screenshots or notes the max stress + SF, and prompts the MCP to update a global variable if needed.

Free SimulationXpress learning resources

• Official SolidWorks help: https://help.solidworks.com/2025/english/SolidWorks/cosmosxpresshelp/c_Using_SOLIDWORKS_SimulationXpress.htm
• • Hawk Ridge Systems guide: https://support.hawkridgesys.com/hc/en-us/articles/32359563862797-SimulationXpress-Learning-Resources
• • • Javelin Tech walkthrough: https://www.javelin-tech.com/blog/2025/11/using-simulationxpress-for-free-fea-analysis/
• • • • YouTube search: "SolidWorks SimulationXpress tutorial" — many free walkthroughs available

Tutorial 06 — Cheapo topo-opt loop (references #76)

See #76 for the full spec. The tutorial should walk through the 3-phase workflow end-to-end with a real part (e.g., a TV-stand leg bracket) and show the mass-before / mass-after output.

Acceptance criteria

• docs/tutorials/01_first_part.md — hello-world part creation with prompt snippets
• - [ ] docs/tutorials/04_simulationxpress.md — free FEA walkthrough, clearly marked [Maker] compatible
• - [ ] Each tutorial lists the license tier required at the top ([Maker] / [Standard] / [Simulation])
• - [ ] README links to docs/tutorials/ index
• - [ ] At least one tutorial includes expected MCP tool-call sequence + sample output

Related

• docs: SoC tutorial, end-to-end demo, and best-practices guide #31 — original SoC tutorial / end-to-end demo issue (this extends it)
• • Proposal: phased expansion of MCP tool surface (assembly mates, reference geometry, parametrics, BOM, measurement) #23 — global variables / parametric variants (tutorial 05)
• • • [Feature Idea] Cheapo topology optimization loop via parametric cuts + SolidWorks SimulationXpress #76 — cheapo topo-opt loop (tutorial 06)
• • • • feat(tools): SolidWorks Simulation COM API wrapper — parent for cheapo-topo #76 Option B #78 — Simulation COM API (tutorial for paid add-in, future)
• • • • • docs(readme): SolidWorks COM API coverage audit + license-tier compatibility tags #79 — API coverage audit + license tags