Weldments in Solidworks

Weldments is a functionality command available in Solidworks. It enables the designer to design a weldment structure component as a single multibody part. Weldments are typically structural section cut in size and held together by using a welding process. Weldments are a common process for structural members and parts. To create weldments initially we will be creating a basic sketch as a framework. Based on the basic sketch we will be creating the profiles for structures.

 

Applications of Weldments:

     The following are the applications of the weldments,

•      Weldments are basically used to create structural members.
•      Weldments are used to create a Roll cage in the automobile industry.
•      Chassis and frames of the vehicles are designed by using weldments.

 

Benefits of Weldments:

     The following are some of the important benefits of the Weldments,

•      Weldments save time and improve productivity.
•    They reduce the work involved in designing.
•     Can make frameworks easily.

 

How to Enable Weldments Tab in Solidworks?

All tools in the weldments can be found in the weldment tab. To enable the weldments tab in Solidworks right click on the existing tab in Solidworks. Then, you are able to enable the weldments tab. 

The below image will show where you have to right-click to enable the weldment tab,

 

 

Fig: Command  Manager

 

     If you right-click on the existing tab the pop-up window will open in that you have to select the weldments tab. Also, you can find the weldments option in the Insert option.

 

 

Fig: Enabling the Weldment Command Manager

 

How to use the Weldments?

     Weldments basically begin with the sketch. To create any weldments sketch profile is a very necessary one.

     You can create any sketch as per the requirements. But, creating the basic sketch with the 3Dsketch option is easier.

     To create a 3D sketch you can directly hit the 3D sketch option under the weldment tab. Then you can create a sketch by changing the direction of the mouse and applying the values to the sketch. Check the below image to enable the 3D sketch option.

 

 

Fig: Weldment Command Manager

 

     By using the 3D sketch you are able to create the required frame with a single sketch (If the structure is simple).

     You can also follow the traditional way to create a sketch for the basic profile by using the 2D sketch with different planes. Compared to the traditional method 3D sketch is easy. There is no need for references/planes to create a sketch.

The below example is created by using the 3D sketch option to explain the weldments.

 

 

Fig: Example Basic Profile

 

     Once the sketch is created make sure you have applied the dimensions and relation to the sketch to make it as a fully defined sketch. Then exit and you can select the Weldment option under the weldments tab to enter into the weldments environment.

 

How to set the profiles for weldments?

•    After selecting the weldment option you will enter into the Weldments environment. Then, you can select the Structural Member option to create the profiles.
•    Once the Structural member option is selected the popup window will open. The popup window image is given below,

 

 

Fig :  Structural Member popup Window

 

•    In the first box(standard) basically we will be selecting the standard. There are two predefined standards available in Solidworks. First one is ANSI and it  follows the standard dimension as the Inch. Second one is ISO and it follows the Metric dimensions system.
•    In the second box(Profile type) we will select the required profiles. The following are the common profiles available in the Solidworks.

 

 

Table: Different types of Cross Sections

•    In the third box(Size) we will be selecting the required size of the cross-section. We can also customize a different cross-section with the required size.

 

Steps to create a customized profile:

•    Open the new part.
•    Sketch a required profile. Select the origin as the base point and create the sketch based on the origin point.
•    Close the sketch.
•    In the feature manager tree select the sketch which needs to be created as a profile. The go-to File>Save As.
•    Search for the location C:\Program Files\SOLIDWORKS Corp\SOLIDWORKS\lang\english\weldment profiles and then save it as “.sldflp” (Lib Feat Format) with the appropriate name.
•    The name that you gave to the library feature part, appears in the Size list in the Structural Member PropertyManager when you create a weldments structural member.

•    Then in the path selection, you have to select the profiles as per your requirement. The below example is selected as two different groups. A square tube profile is used for example. 

 

 

Fig: Example of the Profiles

 

Corner Treatment: 

     Cornet treatment basically used to change the shape of the corner. There are different types of corner options available in Solidworks. Thus are given below with the example.

 

 

Fig: Corner Treatment Commands

 

 

Table: Different types of corners

 

     While using End butt 1 & 2 you can see there are two extra options available. Those options are used to define the profile cut. The option and it’s output are given in the below table.

 

 

Table: Different types of connectivity between the corners

 

How to use Trim/Extend Command?

     The Trim/Extend command is used to properly shape the corners or connecting portion in the weldment profile. Based on the requirement we can trim/extend the profile.

     As you can see in the below diagram after creating the weldment, it is intersecting with the other profiles.

 

 

Fig: Example to trim

     To trim this extra portion, select the trim command and then in the corner type you can select the corner types as per the requirements.

     At this End, the trim option is selected. Then in the first box select the profile which has to be trimmed and in the second box, you can select the bodies/faces based on the profile which has to be trimmed.

     In the trim also you can select the different types of connectivity between the profiles (Cut between connected segments). To understand the example refer to the below image.

 

 

Fig: Trim command window

 

     Once the options are selected you can hit the ok option to execute the trim option.

     In this article, we have learned about what is weldments, the different commands available in weldment and how to use the commands available in weldments.

     Overall, Weldments reduces the time of developing the models and reduces complexity in the creation of profiles and structures.