general steps to get it to run:
In the Model tab:
fully define all parts with mates
make sure all parts have materials assigned
using SOLIDWORKS Toolbox, insert all necessary nuts and bolts
go to Evaluate > Interference Detection > Calculate
make sure there are no weird interferences
In the Static tab:
if you don’t see the Static tab you need to create a New Study in the Simulation tab at the top
under Parts in the Feature Tree:
right click and Exclude from Analysis for parts you don’t care about
right click and Make Rigid for parts you don’t want to deform
make sure all parts have a green check icon
under Connections:
right click Connections and Convert Toolbox fasteners to bolt connectors
delete any Global Interactions that automatically got created
right click Connections and add a Component Interaction for each pair of parts that touch- choose Bonded for welds and press fits, choose Contact for parts that touch but are not fixed together
under Fixtures:
right click Fixed Geometry