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Weldments and Structure

System

Weldments functionality enables you to design a weldment structure as a

single
multibody part. Structure system is an advanced weldments environment that lets
you
create and modify structural members of different profiles in one feature.

Contents
Weldments

You can use 2D and 3D sketches to define the basic framework of a weldment structure, then create structural
members containing groups of sketch segments.

Structure System

The structure system uses primary and secondary structural members in a workflow that makes it easier to
create complex structure systems with flexible corner management and trimming.

Pattern and Mirror Support

You can pattern and mirror structure system members using the Linear Pattern, Circular Pattern, or Mirror tools.

Weldments

You can use 2D and 3D sketches to define the basic framework of a

weldment
structure, then create structural members containing groups of sketch
segments.

You can also add items such as gussets and end caps using tools on the
Weldments toolbar.
 For more information about weldments, see SOLIDWORKS Tutorials: Weldments
by clicking > Tutorials.

When you create the first structural member in a part, a weldment feature
is
created and added to the
FeatureManager design tree.
The software also creates
two default
configurations in the ConfigurationManager: a parent configuration
Default[As Machined] and a derived configuration
Default[As Welded].

On a per document basis, you can suppress the automatic

creation of the [As
Welded] configuration. Before
adding weldments to a new document, click
Options (Standard toolbar). On the Weldments page of Document
Properties, clear Create derived
configuration.

You can also configure multiple weldment profiles of structural members

as library
features. You can add different configurations of a structural member and
save
them as one profile in a library feature. For example, instead of having 50
separate
library feature files for square tubing sizes, you can have one library feature
file
with 50 configurations that you can control by a design table.

When creating or editing structural members, you can select the

configured library
features in the Structural
Member PropertyManager.

Contents
Groups

A group is a collection of related segments in a structural member.

Profiles and Cut Lists

Cut Lists

A cut list is an item in the FeatureManager design tree that groups the same entities of a part together. It is
available in parts that have weldment or sheet metal features.

Adding Structural Members

Adding Groups

Transferring Material Properties from Library Profiles

You can transfer the material properties of a library profile when you use it as a structural member.

Weldment Feature

The weldment feature is not a feature in the same sense as a fillet or an extrude. Instead, it sets up a design
functionality environment. The weldment feature designates the part as a weldment and enables the weldment
environment.

Weldments - Default Configurations

When a weldment feature is added to a part, the software creates two default configurations: a parent
configuration, Default<As Machined>, and a derived configuration, Default<As Welded>.
 Disabling Automatic Creation of Derived Weldment Configurations

You can disable the automatic creation of derived configurations if you do not use these configurations.

Structural Member PropertyManager

Weldments - Creating a Custom Profile

You can create your own weldment profiles to use when creating weldment structural members. You create the
profile as a library feature part, then file it in a defined location so it is available for selection.

Weldments - Pierce Points

The pierce point defines the location of the profile, relative to the sketch segment used to create the structural
member.

Weldments - Trim and Extend

You can use segments and other solid bodies to trim segments so they butt up correctly in the weldment part.

Weldments - Gussets

Gussets reinforce the area between two intersecting structural members with planar faces.

Weldments - End Caps

To close off open structural members, you can add end caps, including internal end caps.

Weld Beads

You can add weld beads to weldment parts and assemblies, and multibody parts.

Sub-weldments

You create sub-weldments to segment complex weldment models into more manageable entities.

Custom Properties in Weldments

In a weldment part, the custom properties for the weldments feature and for the cut list represent a different list
from the custom properties that are stored at the document level.

Weldment Drawings

Weldment Cut List Tables

You can use a weldment cut list table to add a BOM-like table for cut, welded structural shapes.

Groups

A group is a collection of related segments in a structural member.

You configure a group to affect all its segments without affecting other segments
or groups in the structural member.

Types of groups are:

Contiguous A continuous contour of segments joined end-to-end. You

can control how the segments join to each other. The end
point of the group can optionally connect to its beginning
point.

Parallel A discontinuous collection of parallel segments. Segments in

the group cannot touch each other.

You can define a group in a single plane or in multiple planes.

A group can contain one or more segments.

A structural member can contain one or more groups.

After you define a group, you can operate on it as a single unit. Use the
Structural Member PropertyManager to:

Specify the corner treatment for the segments in the group.

Create weld gaps between segments to allow space for weld beads.

Mirror the profile of a single group.

Align, rotate, or translate the profile of a group without affecting other

groups in the structural member.

Profiles and Cut Lists

All structural members include the following attributes:

Structural members use profiles, for example, an angle iron.

Profiles are identified by Standard, Type, and Size. You can:

Create your own profiles and add them to the existing library of
weldment profiles.

Specify the orientation and pierce point of the profile relative to

the sketch segment.

Weldment profiles are located in:

install_dir\lang\lang\weldment profiles. You can add or
change locations for weldment profiles in Tools > Options > System
Options > File Locations
.

All structural members in a single group must use the same profile.
 Structural members appear in the FeatureManager design tree with the
name and size of the profile you select to create them. .

The naming convention is Type Size

(n), where n is the suffix that
indicates the number of identical instances of the feature. For example, if
you insert four rectangular tubes with the size 3 x 2 x 0.25, the structural
member that defines them is named rectangular tube 3 x 2 x 0.25(4).

Bodies created by the structural members appear under Cut list or in the
FeatureManager design tree.

You can assign materials to structural members.

Cut Lists

A cut list is an item in the FeatureManager design tree that groups the same
entities of a part together. It is available in parts that have weldment or sheet metal
features.

Contents
Changing the Order of Cut List Item Folders

You can reorder Cut-List-Item folders. Because the order of the Cut-List-Item folders drives the cut list entries,
you can apply a customized order to the cut list. The reordering propagates to the cut lists in the part and
drawing.

Excluding Folders from Cut Lists

You can customize a cut list by excluding cut list folders from cut lists.

Excluding Features from Cut Lists

Updating Cut Lists

You can update cut lists manually or automatically.

Sorting Cut Lists

You can choose sorting options for cut lists from a shortcut menu on the top level of the Cut list folder and from
the Document Properties tab.

Naming Cut List Folders Automatically

You can have the software automatically name cut list folders in a weldment part using the value of the cut list
DESCRIPTION property.

Cut-List Properties Dialog Box

The Cut-List Properties dialog box lets you manage, edit, and view all cut list item properties.
 Linking a Cut List Folder to a Cut List Property

In the Cut-List Properties dialog box, you can add a custom property that links a cut list folder to its cut list folder
name. You can then include this cut-list property in BOMs, notes, and sheet formats. This property helps to
identify members in large multibody weldments.

Materials in Weldment Cut Lists

Weldment cut lists recognize materials when determining whether bodies are identical.

Configurations in Weldment Cut Lists

Bounding Boxes in Weldments

You can create a bounding box for any cut list item in a cut list, independent of the type of solid bodies in the cut
list item.

Propagating Cut List Properties

You can use the Insert Into New Part command to copy cut list properties to the file level or the cut list level.

Cut List Properties for Weldment and Structure System Features

Two cut list properties are available for structural members created by weldment as well as structure system
features.

Changing the Order of Cut

List Item Folders

You can reorder Cut-List-Item folders. Because the order of the Cut-List-Item
folders drives the cut list entries, you can apply a customized order to the cut list.
The reordering propagates to the cut lists in the part and drawing.

You should finish modeling the part before modifying the cut list items. You may
lose changes to the cut list if you change the geometry after modifying the cut
list.

To change the order of cut list folders:

1. In the FeatureManager design tree, expand Cut list or .

2. Do one of the following:

Drag and drop any Cut-List-Item to the order you want.

Right-click a Cut-List-Item and click Properties. In the Cut-List

Properties dialog box, drag and drop any Cut-List-Item to the
order you want.
Excluding Folders from Cut
Lists

You can customize a cut list by excluding cut list folders from cut lists.

You should finish modeling the part and update the cutlist before modifying the
cut list items. You may lose changes to the cut list if you change the geometry
after modifying the cut list.

1. In the FeatureManager design tree, expand Cut list .

2. Do one of the following:

Right-click a Cut-List-Item and click Exclude from cut list.

Right-click a Cut-List-Item and click Properties. In the Cut-List

Properties dialog box, on the Cut List Summary or Cut List Table
tab, select a Cut-List-Item and select Exclude from cut list.

In the FeatureManager design tree, the text, “Excluded from cut list”,
appears next to the cut list folder. To include the cut list folder in the cut
list, do one of the following:

In the FeatureManager design tree, right-click the cut list folder

and click Include in cut list.

In the Cut-List Properties dialog box, clear Exclude from cut list.

Excluding Features from

Cut Lists

To exclude a feature from the cut list:

1. Right-click the feature.

2. Select Make Weld Bead.

The next time you update the cut list, the feature is excluded. To include a
feature that was previously excluded, right-click and select Make Non
Weld Bead.
Updating Cut Lists

You can update cut lists manually or automatically.

The first time you create a part document, the SOLIDWORKS software turns on the
following Weldment document properties in the part template that is created:

Automatically create cut lists

Automatically update cut lists

If you continue to use this part template, these options are enabled for all new part
documents.

If you create parts using pre-2015 templates, these options are turned off.

To disable either of these options:

1. Click Tools > Options > Document Properties > Weldments to open the
Weldments Document Properties page.

2. Clear the option.

3. Save the template.

4. Use the saved template to create new parts.

In the FeatureManager design tree, the cut list icon shows the cut list status:

indicates the cut list is up to date.

indicates the cut list should be updated.

Within a specific model, you can turn automatic update on or off.

To enable automatic update:

Right-click the cut list and click Update Automatically.

The software updates the cut list automatically when you add new
features, such as extruded plates or 3D bounding boxes, edit existing
features, or rebuild the model.

The model's custom properties and internal supporting data are also
updated, preventing custom property errors.

To manually update the cut list if automatic update is not enabled:

In the FeatureManager design tree of a weldment part document, right-

click Cut list and select Update.

The Cut List icon changes to .

Identical items are grouped together in Cut-List-Item subfolders. Weld

beads are excluded from the cut list. You can select other features to also
be excluded.
Sorting Cut Lists

You can choose sorting options for cut lists from a shortcut menu on the top level
of the Cut list folder and from the Document Properties tab.

Contents
Using Cut List Sorting Options

You can collect identical bodies and choose faces and features to exclude in sorting. This option collects all
bodies in a Cut-List-Item folder that are geometrically identical, but are generated by different features, for
example, cylinders that are created by extrude or revolve features, but are identical in volume.

Choosing Faces and Features to Exclude

Cut List Sorting of Sub-Weldments

Sub-weldment folder structure is retained when you use cut list sorting options.

Cut List Sorting Options PropertyManager

You can collect identical bodies and choose faces and features to exclude in sorting.

Using Cut List Sorting

Options

You can collect identical bodies and choose faces and features to exclude
in
sorting. This option collects all bodies in a Cut-List-Item
folder that are
geometrically identical,
but are generated by different features, for example,
cylinders that are created by extrude
or revolve features, but are identical in
volume.

To use cut list sorting:

1. Open the model.

In this model, Extrude1 and Revolve1 bodies have the same volume, but
appear in separate Cut-List-Item folders.

2. Click Tools > Options > Document Properties > Weldments

.

a. Under Cut list options, select Automatically create cut lists.

You must enable this option to sort cut lists. You can also right-
click the top-level of the Cut list folder and click Create Cut
Lists Automatically to enable this option.

b. Under Cut list options, select Collect identical bodies.

 You can also right-click the top level of the Cut list folder in the
FeatureManager design tree, and click Cut List Sorting Options.
Under Sorting Options, select Collect Identical Bodies.

3. Click .

To preserve the Collect identical bodies option in the Document

Properties dialog box, create a template with this option selected.
When you create new weldment parts with this template, the software
automatically checks for identical bodies in the Cut-List-Item folders.

Both bodies now appear in the same Cut-List-Item folder.

Choosing Faces and

Features to Exclude

To choose faces and features to exclude:

1. Open the model.

In this model, LPattern1 body was created from Boss-Extrude1 body,

then Cut-Extrude1 was added to one pattern instance. You want to
exclude the Cut-Extrude1 feature geometry from the cut list sorting.

2. In the FeatureManager design tree, right-click the top level of the Cut list
folder and click Cut List Sorting Options.

3. In the PropertyManager, under Faces/Features to Exclude, select Cut-

Extrude1 from the FeatureManager design tree.

You can select features from the FeatureManager design tree or faces
from bodies in the graphics area. This option is useful for collecting
bodies generated from identical stock material by ignoring features
such as holes, fillets, and chamfers.

You cannot exclude certain faces and features. Warning or error

messages alert you.

Examples:

Chamfers that remove an entire face.

Suppressed features.

Features that create new bodies from sketches, such as

boss-extrude, revolve, and sweep.

Certain sheet metal features.

 4. Click .

The bodies Boss-Extrude1 and Cut-Extrude1 appear in a single Cut-List-

Item folder. The Cut-Extrude1 feature geometry was excluded when
comparing bodies in the cut list sorting process.

Cut List Sorting of Sub-

Weldments

Sub-weldment folder structure is retained when you use cut list sorting options.

If two bodies grouped under two different sub-weldment folders become

geometrically identical, the software compares and sorts the bodies with bodies
under the same sub-weldment folder. The software does not sort and group the
bodies under the same cut list folder because this would break the design intent of
sub-weldment folders.

This example uses a weldment

pattern with a seed Boss-Extrude feature and
five instances.

A
Cut-Extrude1 feature is added to the
seed and a Fillet1 feature is added to
instance two.

This illustration shows the Cut

list structure before sorting. Note the separate
sub-weldment folders, each with multiple cut list item
folders.

Sub-weldment3 contains
instances one, two, and four.

Sub-weldment4 contains the

seed plus instances three and five.

In the FeatureManager design tree, you right-click

Cut list
and click
Cut list
sorting options. In the
PropertyManager, you select Collect Identical
Bodies.
Under Faces/Features to
Exclude, you select the
Cut-Extrude1 and
Fillet1
features, then click .

This illustration shows the Cut

list structure after sorting.

The patterned bodies are now identical. However,

the sorting retains the sub-
weldment folder structure. The
bodies are compared and sorted under their
individual
sub-weldment folders.

Cut List Sorting Options

PropertyManager

You can collect identical bodies and choose faces and features to exclude in
sorting.

To open this item, in a model with cut list items, do one of the following:

Click Tools > Options > Document Properties > Weldments. Under Cut
list options, select Automatically create cut lists.

You must enable this option to sort cut lists.

Then, under Cut list options, select Collect identical bodies.

Right-click the top level of the Cut list folder in the FeatureManager
design tree, and click Cut List Sorting Options.

Sorting Options
  Collect Collects all bodies in a Cut-List-Item folder that are
Identical geometrically identical, but are generated by different
Bodies features.

  Faces/Features Excludes faces and features from cut list sorting. This
to Exclude option is useful for collecting bodies generated from
identical stock material by ignoring features such as holes,
fillets, and chamfers.

You cannot exclude certain faces and features.

Warning or error messages alert you.

Examples:

Chamfers that remove an entire face.

Suppressed features.

Features that create new bodies from

sketches, such as boss-extrude, revolve, and
sweep.

Certain sheet metal features.

Naming Cut List Folders

Automatically
You can have the software automatically name cut list folders in a weldment part
using the value of the cut list DESCRIPTION property.

Cut list folders with meaningful names provide more information when you check
the weldment structure and allow for better communication when you share
documents. You can manually rename the folders, or you can automate cut list
folder naming.

The first time you create a part document, the SOLIDWORKS software turns on
theRename cut list folders with Description property value option in the part
template that is created. If you continue to use this part template, these options
are enabled for all new part documents. If you create parts using pre-2015
templates, these options are turned off.

To set automatic cut list folder names based on the DESCRIPTION property:

1. Click Options (Standard toolbar) or Tools > Options.

2. On the Document Properties tab, click Weldments.

3. Select Rename cut list folders with Description property value.

4. To generate folder names from the DESCRIPTION property for weldments

created with SOLIDWORKS software versions earlier than 2015, after
setting the option, right-click the cut list and click Update.

Cut-List Properties Dialog

Box

The Cut-List Properties dialog box lets you manage, edit, and view all cut list item
properties.

To display this dialog box:

In the FeatureManager design tree, right-click a Cut-List-Item in a weldment part or

multibody sheet metal part and click Properties.

You can modify the Cut-List Properties dialog box by resizing it or changing
column widths, to make information visible that would otherwise be truncated.

The software saves your changes with the active document. Changes you make
are specific to the active document and do not affect other documents.

Cut List Summary Tab

This tab lets you navigate to any of the cut list item folders.

Cut-List- Lets you select the cut list item for which you want to show
 Item <n> properties.

Property Applies a property to the selected cut list item. You can type or
Name select a property.

Type Categorizes the type of property.

Value / Lets you specify a value for the property that is compatible with
Text Type.
Expression

Evaluated Calculates the value of the property.

Value

Delete Deletes the properties from the current cut list item.

Exclude Omits the cut list folder from a cut list.

from cut
list

BOM Links the property value to the Quantity column in a BOM. (It does
quantity not affect cut list tables.) For example, if the weldment has several
structural members that are the same size, you may want to know
how much (in length) of the item you need, not the quantity
(number of items) you need.

When you select an item in BOM quantity, the value is calculated

as: Number of instances * Item in BOM quantity

BOM quantity contains only those items listed in Property Name.

In the Bill of Materials PropertyManager, you must set BOM

Type to Indented to list Cut-List-Items individually in the BOM.

Edit List Lists custom properties that you defined for Property Name.

Properties Summary Tab

This tab shows all of the unique cut list item properties in a weldment part. You
can click each property to display the property's value for every item in the cut list.
If a cut list item does not have a unique property assigned, it appears as <not
specified>.

Property Lists all of the unique weldment cut list properties. Even if only
List one cut list item has a specific property applied to it, the property
is listed here.

Property Lists the Cut-List-Items in the model.

Name

Type Categorizes the type of property.

Value / Lets you specify a value for the property that is compatible with
Text Type.
Expression
 Evaluated Calculates the value of the property.
Value

Cut List Table Tab

This tab shows a preview of how the cut list will look in a drawing based on the
Table Template. Click to select a different template.

If you excluded an item from the cut list, it appears as struck-out text in this tab.

Linking a Cut List Folder to

a Cut List Property

In the Cut-List
Properties dialog box, you can add a custom property that links a cut
list
folder to its cut list folder name. You can then include this cut-list property in
BOMs,
notes, and sheet formats. This property helps to identify members in large
multibody
weldments.

To link a cut list folder to a cut list

property:

1. In the FeatureManager design

tree, right-click a Cut-List-Folder and click
Properties.

2. On the Cut List Summary tab, click an

empty cell under Property Name
and add a new
property.

3. Under Value/Text Expression, choose

Cut List Item Name from the list.

The text in Value/Text Expression displays

SW-
CutListItemName@@@<Cutlist folder name>@<Part
name.Sldprt
and the evaluated value displays the cut list folder
name.

Materials in Weldment Cut

Lists

Weldment cut lists recognize materials when determining whether bodies are
identical.

If two bodies are geometrically identical but have different materials applied to
them, they are placed in separate folders in the cut list.
You can apply a material to bodies within the weldment cut list. When you apply a
material to a body, the cut list automatically updates by placing the body in the
appropriate folder.

Applying Materials to Bodies

To apply a material to a body:

1. In the part document, right-click a

structural member and click
Material.

2. Click Edit Material or select a

material in the menu.

Configurations in Weldment
Cut Lists

Weldments have two default configurations: Default [As Machined] and Default [As
Welded].

Different states of the same weldment are handled by configurations. The top level
is an [As Machined] configuration, and includes machined features such as holes.
Underneath the top level is a derived state that is an [As Welded] configuration.

Weldment cut lists are always based on the [As Welded] configuration.

Bounding Boxes in
Weldments

You can create a bounding box for any cut list item in a cut list, independent of the
type of solid bodies in the cut list item.

The bounding box is represented by a 3D sketch and is based, by default, on the X-

Y plane. Taking into consideration the bounding box's orientation, the bounding box
is the smallest box in which the body fits.

Working with a Bounding Box for Cut List

Items
To create a bounding box for cut list items:

1. Open a part that has cut list items in

the FeatureManager design tree.

2. In the FeatureManager design tree:

a. If the Cut list icon is , right-

click and click Update.

b. Right-click Cut list and

click Create Bounding
Box.

Bounding boxes are

created for each cut list
item in the model, but they
are hidden in the graphics
area.

c. Expand Cut list .

d. In a Cut-List-Item , click
Bounding-Box_Cut-List-
Item and click Show .

e. Click Bounding-Box_Cut-
List-Item again.

The bounding box

appears.

f. Right-click a Cut-List-Item
and click Properties.

The Cut-List Properties

dialog box displays the
3D-Bounding Box
Thickness, 3D-Bounding
Box Width, 3D-Bounding
Box Length, and 3D-
Bounding Box Volume. If
you create a drawing,
these values appear in the
bill of materials.

g. Click OK.

3. To edit a bounding box, right-click a

Cut
list
or
Cut-List-Item that
already has a
bounding box and
click Edit Bounding Box
to change
the orientation plane or face in the
PropertyManager.
 4. To delete a bounding box, right-click
a Cut
list
or
Cut-List-Item and click
Delete Bounding Box.

Propagating Cut List

Properties

You can use the Insert Into New Part command to copy cut list properties to the
file level or the cut list level.

The Save Bodies, Insert Part, and Insert Mirror Part commands have this same
capability, which helps with designing multibody parts.

Right-click the Cut List Properties folder in the FeatureManager design tree and
click Insert Into New Part.

Cut List Properties for

Weldment and Structure
System Features

Two cut list properties are available for structural members created
by
weldment
as well as structure system features.

The Angle Direction property indicates

whether the two ends face of the body are
along the same direction or not. You can specify:

Same

Opposite

Out of Plane

None

The Angle Twist property indicates the

angle between the normals of two end cut
planes for out of plane trimming. You can set
the angle 0–180 degrees.

Adding Structural Members

 1. Create a sketch.

Using linear or curved sketch entities, you can create multiple 2D

sketches with planes, create a 3D sketch, or combine 2D and 3D
sketches.

2. Click Structural Member (Weldments toolbar) or Insert > Weldments >

Structural Member
.

3. Make selections in the PropertyManager to define the profile for the

structural member.

4. In the graphics area, select sketch segments to define the path for the
structural member.

If the profile you specify has a material assigned, the option Transfer
Material from Profile is available.

5. Optionally, select Transfer Material from Profile to transfer the material

from the profile to the weldment you are creating.

6. Click .

Adding Groups

1. Create a sketch.

2. Click Structural Member (Weldments toolbar) or Insert > Weldments >

Structural Member
.

3. Make selections in the PropertyManager to define the profile for the

structural member.

4. To create the first group, select a series of segments on the sketch.

The second segment you select determines the type of group you are
creating.

To create a contiguous group, select a segment adjoining the

first segment.

To create a parallel group, select a segment parallel to the first

segment.

Group1 appears in Groups. Under Settings, the identifiers of the paths

you selected appear under Path segments.

5. To create the next group, right-click in the graphics area and select Create
New Group or under Selections, click New Group.

6. Select the second set of segments.

 7. Select a group in Groups and change its attributes under Settings.

8. Click and create additional structural members as needed.

Transferring Material
Properties from Library
Profiles

You can transfer the material properties of a library profile when you
use it as a
structural member.

You can also transfer the material properties of library profiles that
have
configuration-specific materials.

Transfer Material from Profile

is available and selected by default for new
structural member features. Between
SOLIDWORKS sessions, the software retains
the choice you made to transfer or not
transfer materials.

If you choose to transfer the library profile material and no

material was previously
assigned to the document, the transferred material is
assigned as the global
document material, as well as the material for the specific
cut list items where it
applies.

To transfer the material properties from library

profiles:

1. Create a sketch.

2. Click Structural Member

(Weldments toolbar) or
Insert > Weldments >
Structural Member.

3. In the PropertyManager, select the Standard, Type, and

Size for the
profile.

4. In the graphics area, select sketch segments to define the path

for the
structural members.

If the library profile you specified in step 3 has a material

assigned,
Transfer Material from Profile
is available and selected.

5. If Transfer Material from

Profile is available:

Leave it selected to transfer the material to the

part.
 Clear it to prevent the material from being
transferred.

6. Click
.

In the FeatureManager design tree:

The Material
node shows the
transferred material.

When you expanded the newly-added cut list items, they

are
assigned the transferred material.

Weldment Feature

The weldment feature is not a feature in the same sense as a fillet or an extrude.
Instead, it sets up a design functionality environment. The weldment feature
designates the part as a weldment and enables the weldment environment.

The weldment feature:

Activates the multibody environment by clearing the Merge result check

box in the PropertyManagers of features that add material.

Acts as a placeholder for common custom properties that are inherited

by all cut list items.

Weldments - Default
Configurations

When a weldment feature is added to a part, the software creates two default
configurations: a parent configuration, Default<As Machined>, and a derived
configuration, Default<As Welded>.

You create the model in the <As Machined> configuration, and include all
machined features. Then, if you want to show the part as it appears before the
machining operations are performed, you use the <As Welded> configuration and
suppress the machined features.

For example, for the following part:

1. In the <As Machined> configuration, you create the structural members,

extrude the plate, add weld beads, and add the holes in the plate and
structural members.

 2. Then, in the <As Welded> configuration, you suppress the hole features.

On a per document basis, you can suppress the automatic creation of the [As
Welded] configuration. Before adding weldments to a new document, click
Options (Standard toolbar). On the Weldments page of Document
Properties, clear Create derived configuration.

Disabling Automatic
Creation of Derived
Weldment Configurations

You can disable the automatic creation of derived configurations if you do not use
these configurations.

By default, the software automatically creates derived configurations when you

select Weldments or create a structural member.

To disable the automatic creation of derived weldment configurations and

configuration description strings:

1. In a new part, before inserting a weldment, click Options (Standard

toolbar) or Tools > Options.

2. On the Document Properties tab, click Weldments.

3. Do one of the following:

To disable automatic creation of derived weldment

configurations and configuration description strings, clear
Create derived configuration.

Assign configuration Description strings is cleared.

To disable only the assignment of configuration description

strings, clear Assign configuration Description strings.

4. Click OK.

Structural Member
PropertyManager
To open the Structural Member PropertyManager:

Add or edit a structural member in a weldment part.

You can set the default color for Structural Member features in Model Display
Options.

Selections
Specify the profile of the structural member by selecting a standard, type, and size.

Standard Select iso, ansi inch, or a custom standard that you previously
defined.

Type Select a Profile Type, such as angle iron or square tube.

Sample profile types:

angle iron
tube
rectangular

pipe

c channel

Size Select a Profile, such

as 20 x 20 x 3.

The size list is sorted alphanumerically from

the smallest size to the
largest to make it easier to work with
a library that contains a large
number of standard size
components.

In addition, the two sizes

you have most recently used appear at the
top of the menu so you
can locate them easily.

Additional weldment profiles are available on the Design Library

tab . Under
SOLIDWORKS Content
, in the
Weldments folder,
Ctrl
+ click items to
download .zip
files.

Merge (For curved entities only.) Select to merge arc segment bodies with
arc adjacent bodies in the structural member. Clear to create a separate
segment body for each curved entity. The arc segment and adjacent bodies
bodies must be tangent in order to merge.

 
Selected Cleared

One structural member,

one One structural member,
five
solid body. solid bodies.

Transfer Transfers the material properties of the selected library profile if the
Material library profile has a material assigned.
from
This option is unavailable if you select a library profile that does not
Profile
have a material assigned.
 Groups Select a group to configure under Settings.

The SOLIDWORKS software shows the group you select in a

different color. In the graphics area, when you pause the pointer over
a group member, a tooltip identifies the group.

New Creates a new group in this structural member.

Group

Settings
Configure the selected group:

  Path Lists the segments in the group.

segments

  Apply (Available for contiguous groups only.) Defines how to trim

corner segments of the group when they intersect at corners. You can
treatment clear Apply corner treatment and specify a corner treatment
later (for example, when you trim the structural members). You
can also modify the corner treatment, allowing you to specify
multiple corner treatments per group.

End Miter
End Butt1
End Butt2

  Merge (Available when you select Apply

corner treatment and click
miter End Miter
.) Combines weld
member bodies so that the length
trimmed of the resulting weld member body
in the weldment cut list is
bodies equal to the sum of the maximum lengths
of the uncut weld
member bodies.

Gap (Available for contiguous groups only.) Specify the weld gap at
between the corners of segments in the same group.
Connected
Segments
in Same
Group

Gap Specify the weld gap where the ends of this group's segments
between abut segments in another group.
Different
Group
Segments

   
Specifying a weld gap shortens segment lengths, as
reflected in the cut list, and retains the overall extent of each
segment.

  Allow Allows the structural member to extend the length of the

protrusion sketch. This is helpful when one structural member (A) is used
to trim another member (B), but A does not fully cut B. It allows
 the portion of B that is not cut by A to extend to the length of
the sketch.

  Mirror Flips the profile of the group about its Horizontal Axis or
Profile Vertical Axis.

  Alignment Aligns an axis of the group profile to any selected vector (edge,
construction line, etc.). Select which axis of the profile to align:

Horizontal axis

Vertical axis

Rotation Rotates the structural member by a set number of degrees.

Angle

  Locate Zooms to the profile so you can change its pierce point relative
Profile to the sketch segment. The default pierce point is the sketch
origin.

Configurations
Select the configurations to apply to the structural member:

This configuration

All configurations

Specify configurations

Contents
Example of Two Bodies Sharing a Point

Changing Corner Treatments

Within a structural member, you can override the corner treatment within a group or between adjacent groups.
You can also merge an arc body with an adjacent body and specify weld gaps and trim order.

Examples of Trim Order

Structural Member Visual Grouping

To make it easier to create and edit structural members with multiple groups, when you select a group it
highlights in the preview.

Example of Two Bodies

Sharing a Point
In Structural Member1, two bodies intersect at each corner. Therefore, to add a
third body (a vertical segment) to a corner, you need to create a second structural
member.

Structural Member1 Structural Member2

Changing Corner
Treatments

Within a structural member, you can override the corner treatment within a group or
between adjacent groups. You can also merge an arc body with an adjacent body
and specify weld gaps and trim order.

To change a corner treatment:

1. Right-click a structural member in the FeatureManager design tree and

select Edit Feature.

2. Click the corner you want to modify.

3. In the Corner Treatment dialog box, work with the highlighted group,
Group 1.

If additional groups meet at this corner, you can select another group
from the groups that are listed.

4. For arcs only, select Merge arc segment bodies to merge the arc with the
adjacent body, creating one body. Clear to retain separate bodies.

5. Set Trim Order.

A group with a lower trim order number trims a group with a higher
number. If two groups have the same trim order number, they miter each
other, trim groups with a higher number, and are trimmed by groups with
a lower number.

6. Select the corner treatment: End Miter , End Butt1 , or End Butt2 .

7. Select Merge miter trimmed bodies to combine weld member bodies so

that the length of the resulting weld member body in the weldment cut
list is equal to the sum of the maximum lengths of the uncut weld
member bodies.

This option is also available in the Structural Member

PropertyManager when you select Apply corner treatment and click
End Miter.)

8. Select Set corner specific weld gaps to override the weld gap for the
group.
 9. Specify the new weld gap in Gap between Connected Segments in Same
Group .

10. Click .

Examples of Trim Order

Model with three weldment groups.

Section view with trim order:

Group 1 - Trim order 1

Group 2 - Trim order 2

Group 3 - Trim order 3

Result:

Group 1 trims groups 2 and 3.

Group 2 trims group 3.

Section view with trim order:

Group 1 - Trim order 1

Group 2 - Trim order 2

Group 3 - Trim order 2

Result:

Group 1 trims groups 2 and 3.

Groups 2 and 3 miter each other.

Section view with trim order:

Group 1 - Trim order 2

Group 2 - Trim order 1

Group 3 - Trim order 1

Result:

Groups 2 and 3 trim group 1.

Groups 2 and 3 miter each other.

Structural Member Visual
Grouping

To make it easier to create and edit structural members with multiple groups, when
you select a group it highlights in the preview.

When you create structural members, you may use more than one group of
selection sets of sketch entities to form the members. To provide visual feedback
and let you know which sketch entities belong to a specific group, in the preview,
the SOLIDWORKS software shows the group you select in a different color.

To enhance working in the graphics area, when you pause the pointer over a group
member, a tooltip identifies the group.

Weldments - Creating a
Custom Profile

You
can
create your own weldment profiles to use when creating weldment
structural members. You
create the profile as a library feature part, then file it in a
defined location so it is
available for selection.

Additional weldment profiles are available on the Design Library tab

. Under
SOLIDWORKS Content, in the Weldments folder, Ctrl +
click items to download
.zip
files.

To create a weldment profile:

1. Open a new part.

2. Sketch a profile. Keep in mind that when you create a weldment

structural
member using the profile:

The origin of the sketch becomes the default pierce

point.

You can select any vertex or sketch point in the sketch

as an
alternate pierce point.

3. Close the sketch.

4. In the FeatureManager design tree, select Sketch1.

5. Click File > Save As.

6. In the dialog box:

a. In Save in,
browse to
install_dir\lang\language\weldment profiles
 and select or
create appropriate <standard>
and <type>
subfolders. See
Weldments - File Location for Custom Profiles.

b. In Save as type,
select Lib Feat Part
(*.sldlfp).

c. Type a name for Filename.

d. Click Save.

The name that you give to the library

feature part appears in
the Size list in the Structural Member PropertyManager when
you create a
weldment structural member. For example, if
you name the profile
1x1x.125.sldlfp, then
1x1x.125
appears in
Size. If you name the
part big.sldlfp, then
big
appears in Size.

Contents
Weldments - File Location for Custom Profiles

The default location for weldment profiles is install_dir\lang\language\weldment profiles.

Storing Custom Profiles in the Existing Folder Structure

You can file your custom profile in the folder structure that SOLIDWORKS provides, or you can create a separate
folder structure.

Storing Custom Profiles in a Separate Folder Structure

If you want to store your profiles in a separate location, you can create a separate folder structure, and then
specify it as a weldment profile file location.

Weldments - File Location

for Custom Profiles

The default location for weldment profiles is

install_dir\lang\language\weldment profiles.
The sub-folder structure within the weldment profiles folder determines the
selections that appear in the Structural Member PropertyManager.

The Selections box from the

PropertyManager and the corresponding
File
Explorer
folder and file structure are set up as follows:

home folder. Contains one or

more standard folders. In the example
below,
weldment profiles is the home folder, and contains two standard
folders (ansi
inch and iso). In the
PropertyManager, the name of each
standard
folder appears as a selection in Standard.
 standard folders. Contain one
or more type folders, for example angle
iron, c
channel, pipe, and so on.
In the PropertyManager, after a Standard
is selected, the names of each of its type
sub-folders appear in Type.

type folders. Contain one or

more library feature parts. In the
PropertyManager, after a Type is selected, the names of the library
feature parts appear in Size.

Structural Member PropertyManager and

File
Explorer:

Storing Custom Profiles in

the Existing Folder
Structure

You can file your custom profile in the folder structure that SOLIDWORKS provides,
or you can create a separate folder structure.

To store custom profiles in the existing folder structure, do one of the following:

Add a new profile part to any of the type folders.

For example, you can store a custom profile part in the square tube
folder, which is a sub-folder of the iso folder.

In the PropertyManager, when you select iso in Standard and square tube
in Type, the name of your custom profile part appears as one of the
selections in Size.

Add a new type folder in an existing standard folder, and store your
custom profile part in the new type folder.

For example, in the iso folder, create a folder named specials. Then store
your custom profile parts in specials.

In the PropertyManager, when you select iso in Standard, specials

appears as one of the selections in Type. When you select specials in
Type, the names of your custom profile parts appear in Size.

Add a new standard folder in the weldment profiles folder, create a type
folder in the standard folder, and store your custom profile part in the type
folder.

For example, in the weldment profiles folder, create a folder named My

specials. In the My specials folder, create folders named My pipe and My
square tube. Then store your custom profile parts in My pipe and My
square tube.

In the PropertyManager, My specials appears as one of the selections in

Standard. When you select My specials, My pipe and My square tube
 appear in Type. When you select My pipe or My square tube, the names
of your custom profile parts appear in Size.

Storing Custom Profiles in a

Separate Folder Structure

If you want to store your profiles in a separate location, you can create a separate
folder structure, and then specify it as a weldment profile file location.

To store custom profiles in a separate location:

1. In
File
Explorer, create a custom folder structure for your weldment
profiles. Create a
home folder, one or more standard folders, and one or
more type folders, as described in Weldments - File Location for Custom
Profiles.

You can create the home folder anywhere you want. For example, you
can create it
in install_dir\data (where the default weldment
profiles folder is located), or in
other locations on your hard drive, on
different disk drives on your system,
or on different computers on a
network.

2. In SOLIDWORKS, click Tools > Options > System Options > File Locations
. Select Weldment Profiles in Show folders for.

The current directory path for weldment profiles appears under Folders.

3. Click Add and browse to the home folder you just created.

4. Click OK.

The directory path to home is added to the Folders list.

5. Do one of the following with the previous directory path, which is still
listed in Folders:

Leave the previous directory path as is, and click OK.

Files from both the previous directory path and the new
directory path appear as selections in the PropertyManager.

Click the previous directory path, click Delete, then click OK.

The previous directory path is deleted from the Folders box, and
files from the previous directory path do not appear as
selections in the PropertyManager.

The next time you create a weldment structural member, your custom
profiles appear as selections in the Structural Member PropertyManager.
Weldments - Pierce Points

The pierce point defines the location of the profile, relative to the sketch segment
used to create the structural member.

The default pierce point is the sketch origin in the profile library feature part. Any
vertex or sketch point specified in the profile can also be used as a pierce point.

Example: Same profile, with three different pierce points selected.

Changing Pierce Points

To change a pierce point:

1. Right-click a structural member and

select Edit Feature.

2. In the PropertyManager, under

Settings, click Locate Profile.

The display zooms to the profile of

the structural member.

3. Select any of the vertices or sketch

points on the profile.

The profile shifts to align the new

pierce point with the structural
member sketch segment.

4. Click .

Weldments - Trim and

Extend

You can use segments and other solid bodies to trim segments so they butt up
correctly in the weldment part.

With Trim/Extend, you can trim or extend:

Two segments at a corner where they meet.

One or more segments against another solid body.

Both ends of a segment at once.

 You should trim all corners in a weldment model to assure that lengths of
segments are calculated accurately.

Example of corner types:

Not trimmed. End Trim End Miter

  End Butt1 End Butt2

Contents
Trimming Segments

Trim/Extend PropertyManager

Trimming Segments

To trim segments:

1. Click Trim/Extend (Weldments toolbar) or Insert > Weldments >

Trim/Extend.

2. In the PropertyManager, set options then click .

Trim/Extend
PropertyManager

To open the Trim/Extend PropertyManager:

Click Trim/Extend
(Weldments toolbar) or Insert > Weldments > Trim/Extend.

Corner Type
Click one of the following corner types:

End Trim

End Miter

End Butt1

End Butt2

d b d
Bodies to be Trimmed

For End Miter, End Butt1, and End Butt2 corner types, select one body to be
trimmed.

For End Trim corner type, select one or more bodies to be trimmed.

Allow If the segment does not meet the trimming boundary, lengthens
extension the segment to its boundary.

Trimming Boundary
Select a trimming boundary type (for End
Trim corner type only):

  Face /
Plane Use a planar face as a trimming
boundary.

  Bodies Use a body as a trimming

boundary.

 
Selecting Face / Plane as the Trimming Boundary is normally
more
efficient and offers better performance. Select Bodies only when trimming
against a
nonplanar
entity such as a round pipe or a stepped surface.

  Face/Bodies For End

Miter, End
Butt1, and End
Butt2 corner types, select
an adjacent segment to
trim against.

For End
Trim corner type, select one or more adjacent
faces
or bodies to trim against. If you select Face / Plane for
Trimming Boundary, select
keep or discard to choose which
segments
to keep.

  Preview Select to preview the trim in the

graphics area. For
performance reasons, disable this option for
complex
structures until you have selected all the items to
trim.

  Allow Select to
extend
or trim
structural
members.
Clear to allow
extension only trimming. When using this option, check the
preview
carefully to ensure that the results are correct.

Simple
cut Makes the structural members flush
with the planar contact
between faces (helpful for manufacturing).
bodies

Coped
cut Trims the structural member to the
contact body.
between
bodies

  Weld
gap Select this option, then enter the
Weld trim gap
to allow
space for a weld bead. The gap reduces the length
of the
trimmed item, retaining the overall length of the structure.

  Callouts If the trimming boundary

intersects the item to trim, callouts
appear next to trimmed
segments with a body identifier and a
 toggle for keeping or
discarding the segment.

Angle Bisects the ends at an angle, if the segments of

the end
Bisector corner miter are of different
sizes.

Full
Flush Makes the ends flush against each
other, if the segments of
the end corner miter are the same
size.

Trimming
with
a plane or a face and
keeping
all of the
segments
cuts
the
segments.
Discarding
any of the segments
combines
the
remaining adjacent
segments.

Weldments - Gussets

Gussets reinforce the area between two intersecting structural members with
planar faces.

There are two types of gussets:

Triangular Profile Polygonal Profile

In addition to options to create gussets for structural members with planar faces,
the Gusset PropertyManager includes geometric selection conditions for creating
gussets.

You can create gussets between:

Disjointed planar surface bodies separated by a structural member, body

radius, or gap

Rectangular/planar surface bodies and cylindrical/round surface bodies

Cylindrical to cylindrical (tube to tube) faces

Plate to rectangular tube Disjointed faces that intersect but do not touch

Rectangular tube to cylinder Cylinder to cylinder

To access these features, click Gusset (Weldments toolbar) or Insert > Weldments
> Gusset.

For cylindrical to cylindrical gussets, in the Gusset PropertyManager, you can use
planes, sketch lines, and linear edges to define a vector direction. You can also flip
the vector direction to the opposite side of the cylinder.

If you provide valid inputs for the selected geometry, a preview of the gusset
appears in the graphics area.

You can set the default color for Gusset features in Model Display Options.
 Contents
Adding Gussets

Creating a Cylinder-to-Cylinder Gusset

You can add gussets to provide center-to-center reinforcement of cylinders.

Gusset PropertyManager

Adding Gussets

To add gussets:

1. Click Gusset on the Weldments toolbar, or click Insert > Weldments >
Gusset.

2. To add multiple gussets, in the PropertyManager, click Keep Visible .

3. In the PropertyManager, set options then click .

Creating a Cylinder-to-
Cylinder Gusset

You can add gussets to provide center-to-center reinforcement of cylinders.

To create a cylinder-to-cylinder gusset:

1. Click Gusset (Weldments toolbar) or Insert > Weldments > Gusset.

2. In the PropertyManager, for Supporting Faces, select the faces of the

cylinders between which you want to add the gusset.

In this example, the horizontal face is selected first.

A preview of the gusset appears in the graphics area with arrows

showing the gusset direction.

3. Under Profile, select a triangular or polygonal gusset profile and specify

the profile distances.

4. Optionally, click to create a chamfer to allow room to create a weld bead

under the gusset.
 5. Select where to apply the gusset thickness and set a value for the
thickness.

6. Optionally, reverse the gusset direction by clicking the handle in the

preview when the pointer shows Reverse Direction.

By default, the profile locates at the midpoint.

Gusset PropertyManager

To open the Gusset PropertyManager:

Click Gusset on the Weldments toolbar, or click Insert > Weldments > Gusset.

Supporting Faces
Select Faces Select adjacent planar faces from two intersecting
structural members.

Flip Profile D1 and D2 Flip the values between Profile Distance1 and
Parameters Profile Distance2.

Profile
Triangular Click to create a triangular gusset, then set values for Profile
Profile Distance1 and Profile Distance2.

Polygonal Click to create a polygonal gusset, then set values for Profile
Profile Distance1, Profile Distance2, and Profile Distance3. Then
select one of the following:
d4 Set a value for Profile Distance4.

a Set a value for Profile Angle.

Chamfer Click to create a chamfer to allow room for a weld bead under
the gusset. Set Chamfer Distance5, then select one of the
following:
d6 Set a value for Chamfer Distance6.

a2 Set a value for Chamfer Angle.

  Thickness Select where to apply gusset thickness:

Inner Side

 Both Sides

Outer Side

(For all of the above images, Location is set to Profile Locates

at Mid Point.)

Gusset Set a value.

Thickness

Location
Location Select where to locate the gusset profile:

Profile Locates at Start Point

Profile Locates at Mid Point

Profile Locates at End Point

Under Location, select:

Profile Locates at Start Profile Locates at Mid Profile Locates at End

Point Point Point

(Thickness set to Inner (Thickness set to Inner (Thickness set to Outer

Side ) Side ) Side )

Offset Select if you want to offset the gusset location, then specify an
Offset Value. Click Flip Offset Direction to change the offset
direction.

Weldments - End Caps

To close off open structural members, you can add end caps, including internal end
caps.

To apply fillets or chamfers to all end caps, under Corner Treatment, select Fillet or
Chamfer.

You can offset an end cap from the inside face of a structural member by
specifying a decimal Offset value in addition to the Thickness ratio.

You can set Outward and Inward end caps to be larger than the structural
member's outside dimension for base plate or mounting pad applications. You can
set the Thickness ratio to be larger than 1 for these applications.
 You can add end caps only to profiles with linear edges.

Contents
Adding End Caps

Modifying End Cap Positions Using Reference Dimensions

When you create weldment end caps, the software adds reference dimensions to mark the inset distance in linear
and curved structural members. You can modify these dimensions for parts, assemblies, and drawings without
opening the end cap feature.

End Cap PropertyManager

Adding End Caps

To add end caps:

1. Click End Cap (Weldments toolbar) or Insert > Weldments > End Cap.

2. In the End Cap PropertyManager, under Parameters:

a. Select a Face of the structural member.

The preview shows the end cap.

b. Select a Thickness direction.

c. Specify the end cap Thickness.

d. If you select Internal as the Thickness direction, specify the

Inset Distance.

3. Under Offset, select Thickness Ratio or Offset Value as the way to

calculate the offset and type a value.

You can click to reverse the offset direction.

4. To specify a corner treatment:

a. Select Corner Treatment.

b. Do one of the following:

Select Chamfer and specify a Chamfer Distance.

Select Fillet and specify a Fillet Radius.

5. Click .
Modifying End Cap Positions
Using Reference Dimensions

When you create weldment end caps, the software adds reference dimensions to
mark the inset distance in linear and curved structural members. You can modify
these dimensions for parts, assemblies, and drawings without opening the end cap
feature.

The inset dimensions are added automatically for the first end cap of the end cap
feature. If you place the end cap on a straight member, the software assigns a
linear dimension. If you place it on a curved member, the dimension assigned is an
arc length.

To modify end cap positions using reference dimensions:

1. In a weldment part with end caps, click Instant3D (Features toolbar).

2. Select the end cap feature.

Reference dimensions appear on the first end cap in the feature.

3. Click the dimension and type a new dimension.

The end cap moves to the new location.

If you did not turn on Instant3D, click Rebuild (Standard toolbar) to

complete the move.

End Cap PropertyManager

To open the End Cap PropertyManager:

Click End Cap (Weldments toolbar) or Insert > Weldments > End Cap.

Parameters
Face Select one or more profile faces.

  Thickness Set the direction of the end cap.

Select one of the following:
direction Outward Extends out from the structure, increasing the
structure's overall length.

Inward Extends into the structure, retaining the original

structure's overall length.
 Internal Places the end cap inside the structural
member at the inset distance you specify.

Thickness Sets the thickness of the cap.

Inset Available when Thickness direction is Internal.

Distance
Sets the distance an internal end cap is inset.

Offset
The end cap offset is the distance from the edge of the structural member to the
edge of the end cap.

By default, this distance is subtracted from the outside edge, decreasing the size
of the end cap, as shown above.

  Thickness Select to specify the offset distance as a Thickness Ratio (a

Ratio value between 0 and 1) in the text box.

The offset is equal to the wall thickness of the structural

member multiplied by the specified thickness ratio.

  Offset Select to specify an Edge Offset Value in the text box.

Value

Reverse Reverses the direction in which the Thickness Ratio or Edge

Offset Value is applied.

Default Reversed

Corner Treatment
Chamfer Adds chamfers to the corners of the end cap.

When you select Chamfer, the text field label appears as . Use the
field to specify the Chamfer Distance.

Fillet Adds fillets to the corners of the end cap.

When you select Fillet, the text field label appears as . Use the field
to specify the Fillet Radius.

Fillet  
Radius

You can set the default color for End cap features in Model Display Options.
Weld Beads

You can add weld beads to weldment parts and assemblies, and multibody parts.

Key features of weld beads:

Compatibility with all types of geometry, including bodies with gaps

Inclusion of weld bead properties in drawings using weld tables

Automatically created weld symbols

Association of weld symbols with the weld beads

In the FeatureManager design tree, a separate Weld Bead folder that

contains the weld beads

Weld beads use a simplified display. They are displayed as graphical

representations in models. No geometry is created. The weld beads are lightweight
and do not affect performance.

For information about weld beads in assemblies, see Weld Beads in Assemblies.

For information about weld tables in drawings, see Weld Tables.

Contents
Creating Weld Beads

Smart Weld Selection Tool

Use the Smart Weld Selection Tool to select faces to which you want to apply weld beads. The tool is available in
the Weld Bead PropertyManager.

Creating Single Body Weld Beads

You can create a weld bead on a single body using Weld Geometry.

Creating Weld Beads on Multibody Parts

Changing the Type and Size of Weld Beads

You can edit weld beads as you would any feature by right-clicking a weld bead in the FeatureManager design tree
and clicking Edit Feature . However, you can also drag weld beads within the Weld Folder to change the type and
size of the weld bead in the weld symbol.

Weld Bead PropertyManager

The Weld Bead PropertyManager lets you insert and define weld beads.

Weld Bead Properties Dialog Box

Use the Weld Bead Properties dialog box to set weld bead properties that appear in weld tables in drawings.

Fillet Weld Beads and the Fillet Bead PropertyManager

 You can add full length, intermittent, or staggered fillet weld beads between any intersecting weldment entities
such as structural members, plate weldments, or gussets.

Creating Weld Beads

1. In a part, click Weld Bead (Weldments toolbar) or Insert > Weldments >
Weld Bead
. In an assembly, click Insert > Assembly Feature > Weld Bead
.

2. In the graphics area, select the faces or edges for the weld bead.
Alternatively, use the Smart Weld Selection Tool to make selections.

Weld paths are supported between two bodies. You cannot

define a weld path among three or more bodies or between
the faces of one body.

Gaps between faces are supported.

Gaps between edges are not supported. Edges must lie on

the surface of a body.

A preview of the weld bead appears.

A pink preview indicates that the weld path is active. A yellow preview
indicates that the weld path is inactive. Any changes you make in the
PropertyManager apply to the active weld bead.

3. Set options in the Weld Bead PropertyManager.

4. Under Weld Path, click New Weld Path to create additional weld beads.
You do not need to click New Weld Path if you use the Smart Weld
Selection Tool .

5. Set options in the Weld Bead PropertyManager.

6. Repeat steps 4 and 5 for additional weld beads.

7. Click .

A weld bead and weld symbol appear if you selected Weld Bead
and All Annotations from the View menu.

The weld beads are added to the Weld Folder in the

FeatureManager design tree, where they are grouped based on
type and size.
Smart Weld Selection Tool

Use the Smart Weld Selection Tool to select faces to which you want to apply weld
beads. The tool is available in the Weld Bead PropertyManager.

All weld beads have a weld path. The weld path is the course that the bead follows
around the model.

When you create weld beads, two methods are available to specify where to apply
weld beads:

Manual. Select edges or faces. You must click New Weld Path in the Weld
Bead PropertyManager each time you create a new weld bead that has a
disjoint weld path.

Smart Weld Selection Tool . Drag the pointer over the faces where you
want weld beads. The software automatically creates new weld paths if
you create a disjoint weld path.

For example, consider the following weldment part.

You want to create weld beads between each of the four support beams and
the main beam.

There are four weld paths that you need to create.

Manual Selection
You can select two faces (or one edge), apply the weld bead, then click New Weld
Path to create each additional weld path. If you do not click New Weld Path, a
message tells you that the selected edge cannot form a continuous chain with the
previously selected edges. In other words, the selection would make a disjoint weld
path.

Smart Weld Selection Tool

You can drag the pointer over each pair of faces. The software automatically
creates new weld paths because it recognizes that the paths are disjoint between
each weld bead.

Video: Smart Weld Selection Tool

Creating Single Body Weld

Beads

You can create a weld bead on a single body using Weld Geometry.
For example, if you have a rolled sheet metal part that forms a tube, you can create
a weld bead to join the edges of the tube.

To create a weld bead on single body part:

1. Click Weld Bead (Weldments toolbar) or Insert > Weldments > Weld
Bead.

2. In the Weld Bead PropertyManager, under Settings, select Weld

Geometry.

3. In Weld From, select a face of the slit.

4. In Weld To, select the opposite edge.

If you select a face for Weld From, you must select an edge for Weld
To.

A preview of the weld between the selected face and edge displays.

5. Set the Bead Size .

6. Click .

Creating Weld Beads on

Multibody Parts

To create a weld bead on a multibody part:

1. Click Weld Bead (Weldments toolbar) or Insert > Weldments > Weld
Bead.

2. In the Weld Bead PropertyManager, under Settings, select Weld

Geometry.

3. In Weld From, select a face of the multibody part.

For example,

4. In Weld To, select faces that intersect the face you select in Weld From.

A preview of the weld between the selected faces displays.

Alternatively, you can select edges of a body for Weld From, and
intersecting faces in Weld To.

5. Set the Bead Size .

6. Click .
Changing the Type and Size
of Weld Beads

You can edit weld beads as you would any feature by right-clicking a weld bead in
the FeatureManager design tree and clicking Edit Feature
. However, you can also
drag weld beads within the Weld Folder
to change the type and size of the weld
bead in the weld symbol.

When you use the following method (instead of editing the weld bead feature)
to change the type and size of weld beads, only the weld symbol information is
changed. The actual weld bead feature does not change in the graphics area or
in the Weld Bead PropertyManager.

1. In the FeatureManager design tree, expand Weld Folder

.

2. Expand the Weld

subfolder that you want to change.

In this image, there are:

Four 3mm Fillet Beads

One 5mm Single V Butt Weld

3. Select the Weld Bead

to change, then drag it to a different Weld

subfolder and drop it when the pointer changes to .

You can drag multiple weld beads at the same time.

A dialog box alerts you that moving the weld bead changes the weld size
and type.

4. Click OK.

The weld bead moves to the new Weld

subfolder and its type, size, and
symbol are updated. The Weld
subfolder increments by the number of
weld beads you added to the folder.

Weld Bead
PropertyManager

The Weld Bead PropertyManager lets you insert and define weld beads.
To open this PropertyManager:

In a part, click Weld Bead

(Weldments toolbar) or Insert > Weldments > Weld
Bead. In an assembly, click Insert > Assembly Feature > Weld Bead.

Weld Path
Smart Available only when you select Weld Geometry.
Weld
Lets you drag the pointer over the faces where you want to apply
Selection
a weld bead.
Tool

  Select Lists each unique weld path. The weld path is the course that
Faces the weld bead follows around the model.

When you select a weld path in this box, the weld path preview in
the graphics area changes colors. A pink preview indicates that
the weld path is active. A yellow preview indicates that the weld
path is inactive. Any changes you make in the PropertyManager
apply to the active weld path.

  New Lets you define a new weld path. Click New Weld Path to create
Weld a new path that is disjointed from the previously created weld
Path path. You do not need to use New Weld Path if you use the
Smart Weld Selection Tool.

Weld paths are supported between two bodies. You cannot

define a weld path among three or more bodies or between
the faces of one body.

Settings
The options in Settings apply per weld path. When you select an item under Weld
Path, you can change the following options for the selected weld path.

  Weld Lists the faces or edges where the weld bead is applied.
selection

  Weld Provides two selection boxes, Weld From and Weld To, where
Geometry you select the faces and edges to be welded.

Use this option when specifying single-body and multibody

welds.

For multiple bodies, one selection box can contain multiple

selections, while the other must contain only one selection.

For single bodies, each selection box can contain only one
selection.

The SOLIDWORKS software calculates the weld path for the

selections you make.

Weld Lets you select faces and edges from a single body
 From to be welded.

A selected face cannot form a continuous chain

with another selected face.

Weld Lets you select faces or edges to specify the

To connections for the body you selected in Weld
From.

In multibody parts, Weld To entities cannot be from

the Weld From body, or the reverse.

In a single body part, if you select a face in Weld

From, you must select an edge in Weld To.

  Weld Path Provides a single selection box where you select the faces
and edges to weld.

Bead size Sets the bead thickness.

  Tangent Available only when you select Weld Geometry.

propagation
Applies the weld bead to all edges that are tangent to the
selected face or edge.

When cleared, you can select:

Selection Applies the weld bead to the selected

face or edge.

Both Applies the weld bead to the selected face or

sides edge and to the opposite face or edge.

All Applies the weld bead to the selected face

around or edge and to all adjacent faces and edges.

  Define Weld Opens the Weld Symbol dialog box so you can define the weld
Symbol symbol settings. The weld symbol is attached to the active
weld bead.

From/To Length
You can use the settings below or use the handles in the graphics area to
manipulate the weld bead.

  Start point Lets you define where to start the weld bead from the first
end.

Reverse Starts the weld bead in from the opposite end.

Direction

  Weld length Sets the length of the weld bead.

 Weld bead defined with a Start point and Weld length

Intermittent Weld
Gap and Sets the Weld length and Gap for intermittent weld beads.
weld
length

Pitch and Sets the Weld length and Pitch for intermittent weld beads. Pitch is
weld defined as the weld length plus the gap. It is calculated from the
length center of one weld bead to the center of the next weld bead.

Staggered Available for weld beads set to Both sides. The weld beads
alternate positioning on either side of the bodies to weld.

Weld Bead Properties Dialog

Box

Use the Weld Bead Properties dialog box to set weld bead properties that appear in
weld tables in drawings.

To display this dialog box:

In the FeatureManager design tree, expand Weld Folder , then right-click a Weld
subfolder and click Properties.

Weld Folders
The left column of the dialog box lists each unique group (same type and size) of
weld beads. When you select an item in this column, any changes you make in the
Properties column apply to all weld beads in the group.

Properties
You can define the following properties associated with weld beads.

Weld Material

Weld Process

Weld Mass per Unit Length

Welding Cost per Unit Mass

Welding Time per Unit Length

Number of weld passes (the number of times required to deposit the

correct amount of welding material)

l d l
Evaluated Values
The following properties are calculated based on the values you set in Properties.

Total Number of welds

Total Weld Length

Total Weld Mass

Total Welding Cost

Total Welding Time

Fillet Weld Beads and the

Fillet Bead
PropertyManager

You can add full length, intermittent, or staggered fillet weld beads between any
intersecting weldment entities such as structural members, plate weldments, or
gussets.

For performance purposes and additional enhancements, it is recommended

that you use the Weld Bead tool instead of Fillet Bead to insert weld beads.

Adding Fillet Weld Beads

To add fillet weld beads:

1. Click Fillet Bead (Weldments

toolbar) or Insert > Weldments >
Fillet Bead.

2. In the PropertyManager, set options

then click .

Fillet Bead PropertyManager

To open the Fillet Bead PropertyManager:

Click Fillet Bead

(Weldments toolbar) or
Insert > Weldments > Fillet Bead.

Arrow Side

  Bead type
 Full length Intermittent

Staggered - Staggered -
Arrow
Side Other Side

Fillet
size Length of the leg of the
fillet
bead.

  Bead
length (For Intermittent or
Staggered). Length of
each bead segment.

  Pitch (For Intermittent or

Staggered). Distance
between the start of
each
bead.

  When you insert a

bead across a gap:

Full Partial penetration.

penetration. Applies the bead to
Applies the the depth you enter
bead to the in
Penetration
.
full depth.

  Tangent propagation

Selected Cleared

Face
Set1 Select one or more
planar faces.

Face
Set2 Select one or more
planar faces
that
intersect the first face
set.

  Intersecting Highlights edges where

Edges Face Set1 and Face
Set2 intersect. You can
right-click an edge and
select Delete to remove
it from the weld bead.

Other Side
Select Other Side to apply
optional settings
for Full Length and
Intermittent types. If you
selected
Staggered as the Bead type, the
Other
Side is already displayed. Make
selections as described for
Arrow Side.

Sub-weldments

You create sub-weldments to segment complex weldment models into more

manageable entities.

Sub-weldments can include any entity listed in the Cut list folder , including
structural members, end caps, gussets, weld fillet beads, and structural members
trimmed with the Trim/Extend tool.

When you create subweldments, or when you save weldment bodies to new parts,
the cut list properties from the parents propagate to the subweldments or new
parts. In the Cut-List Properties dialog box, the Value / Text Expression of the
properties appear as Linked to Parent Part - parent
.sldprt. You cannot edit the cut
list properties unless you break the reference to the parent part.

Creating Sub-weldments
To create a sub-weldment:

1. In the FeatureManager design tree

of the weldment model, expand the
Cut list folder .

2. Select the entities to include in the

sub-weldment, using Shift or Ctrl to
group-select.

The selected entities highlight in the

graphics area.

3. Right-click and select Create sub-

weldment.

A sub-weldment folder containing

the selected entities appears under
the Cut list folder .

4. Right-click the sub-weldment folder

and select Insert into New Part.

The sub-weldment model opens in a

new SOLIDWORKS window, and the
Save As dialog box appears.

5. Accept or edit the name for File

name, and click Save.
 Changes made in the weldment
model propagate to the sub-
weldment model.

Custom Properties in
Weldments

In a weldment part, the custom properties for the weldments feature and for the
cut list represent a different list from the custom properties that are stored at the
document level.

The default location for the Weldment Property

File is:

C:\Documents and Settings\All Users\Application

Data\SOLIDWORKS\SOLIDWORKS
version\lang\language\weldments\weldmentproperties.txt

There is no Application
Data folder in the Microsoft®
Windows® 7 operating
system.

You can change the location of the list in File Location Options.

The profile library parts may carry any commonly used custom properties.
For
example, profiles supplied with the SOLIDWORKS application include the custom
property Description.

In case of naming conflicts between the weldment feature

and the weldment
profile, the profile name takes precedence.

You can use Property Tab Builder

to create custom tabs for weldments.

Contents
Custom Properties in Weldment Cut Lists

Weldment cut lists include the item number (ITEM NO.) and quantity (QTY.) and cut list custom properties.

Assigning Custom Properties

Custom Property Values

Adding Custom Properties

Example: Using Length and Angle Custom Properties

Custom Properties in
Weldment Cut Lists

Weldment cut lists include the item number (ITEM NO.) and quantity (QTY.) and cut
list custom properties.

Custom properties for cut lists are different from custom properties at the
document level. In weldment parts, properties are included with cut list items
created from structural members with library feature part profiles:

LENGTH

Angle1

Angle2

DESCRIPTION

MATERIAL

QUANTITY

TOTAL LENGTH

Example: Using Length and Angle Custom Properties

To add custom properties to cut list items:

1. In the part document, right-click a Cut-List-Item and select Properties.

2. In the dialog box, on the Cut List

Summary tab:

a. Type or select a Property

Name.

b. Select a data Type.

c. Type text or a value in Value / Text Expression and press

Enter.

When you define a cut list property that includes a

single or double
quotation mark (‘ or “), type an @ sign in front of the
quotation mark to
ensure that the expression evaluates correctly. For
example: 2@" X
2@" X 1/4@". The @ sign also
applies when referencing a Property
Name that
includes a quotation mark. For example, if you have a file
property
whose name is Length12”, you must add an
@ sign in
Value/Text
Expression for that property.

3. In the Link column, click the box to link the cut list
item to the cut list
folder or parent part.

4. Repeat steps 2 and 3 as necessary, then click OK.

Assigning Custom
Properties

You can assign custom properties from three different sources:

Source Description

Profile Assign to the profile sketch any commonly used properties that are
sketch unique to the profile, and that you want inherited by the cut list item
corresponding to a structural member feature. Description is such
an example.

Weldment Properties assigned to the weldment feature are propagated to all

cut list items. This capability enables you to assign a property with
feature a default value, which you can later edit for each cut list item. For
example, you can add the property Cost with a value in the
appropriate monetary denomination.

Cut-List- Cut list items inherit custom properties from the profile sketch and
Items from the weldment feature. You can assign new properties or you
can edit existing properties. For example, you can add the property
Weight, and link that property to the model's mass properties.
Creating the link between the two enables the SOLIDWORKS
application to calculate the weight of the first solid body in the cut
list item. The system also computes and adds the properties
LENGTH, Angle1, Angle2, DESCRIPTION, MATERIAL, QUANTITY,
and TOTAL LENGTH for bodies generated by structural member
features. The LENGTH, Angle1, and Angle2 properties are not
editable.

Since the weight of only the first item in a Cut-List-Item folder is calculated,
each Cut-List-Item folder should only include identical items. If two bodies are
geometrically identical but have different materials applied to them, they are
placed in separate folders in the cut list.

Custom Property Values

Values that you assign as custom properties can be:

System assigned. For example, LENGTH.

User assigned. For example, the material assigned when creating the
structural member profile.
 Linked to dimension values or mass properties.

Custom properties are required to generate a cut list with associative balloons
for a multibody part.

Adding Custom Properties

To add custom properties:

1. Do one of the following:

In the Cut list folder , right-click a Cut-List-Item, and select

Properties.

To assign custom properties at the highest propagation level,

right-click the Weldment feature.

2. In the dialog box, on the Cut List Summary tab (or the Custom tab if you
right-clicked the Weldment feature):

a. Type or select a Property Name.

b. Type text or a value in Value / Text Expression.

When you define a cut list property that includes a single or

double
quotation mark (‘ or “), type an @ sign in front of the
quotation mark to ensure that the expression evaluates
correctly. For example: 2@" X 2@" X
1/4@". The @ sign
also applies when referencing a
Property Name that includes
a
quotation mark. For example, if you have a file property
whose
name is Length12”, you must add an
@ sign in
Value/Text
Expression for that property.

c. Press Enter.

3. In the Link column, click the box to link the cut list
item to the cut list
folder or parent part.

4. Repeat steps 2 and 3 as necessary, then click OK.

The custom property is added.

Example: Using Length and

Angle Custom Properties
LENGTH is the length of the structural member.

Angle1 and Angle2 are the angles between the normal of the cut face and the
centerline of the body.

Weldment Drawings

Drawings of weldments support:

Views of entire weldment parts

Views of single bodies of weldment parts (Relative Views)

Weldment cut lists

Balloons

AutoBalloons

Alternating crosshatch for section views

Example of weldment cut list:

Balloons in Weldment Drawings

All configurations reference the same cut list
for creating balloons. Balloon numbers
remain associative to the cut list, even if they
are created in another view.

A balloon attached to a body in a drawing

view of the entire weldment and a balloon
attached to the same body in a drawing view
showing only the body have the same item
number.

If you insert AutoBalloons into a drawing view

of a weldment and the drawing does not
contain a cut list, you are prompted whether
you want to create a cut list.

If you delete a cut list, all balloons related to

the cut list change their Item Number to 1.

Weldment Cut List Tables

You can use a weldment cut list table to add a BOM-like table for cut, welded
structural shapes.

When the first weldment feature is inserted in a part, the Solid Bodies folder is
renamed to Cut list to indicate the items to include in the cut list. The icon
indicates that the cut list needs to be updated. The icon indicates that the cut list
is up-to-date.

Items that appear in the cut list must appear in the Cut list folder at the part level.

The option to automatically organize all of the weldment entities in the cut list is
on by default in new weldment parts. To turn it off, right-click Cut list and clear
Create Cut Lists Automatically.

Weldment cut lists use the units of the drawing for precision. However, the
display of trailing zeroes in the cut list table is affected by the Trailing zeroes
setting in Tools > Options > Document Properties > Tables > General
. In some
existing tables, you must replace the cut list with a new cut list to see this
change. Additionally, if you change the setting, you must rebuild the drawing.

Although the cut list is generated automatically, you manually specify when to
update it in a weldment part document. This enables you to make many changes,
then update the cut list once.

Contents
Inserting Weldment Cut List Tables in Drawings

Weldment Cut List PropertyManager

Specify properties for weldment cut lists.

Weldment Cut List Column PropertyManager

Use this PropertyManager to change the content of a column in a weldment cut list.

Sorting Columns in Weldment Cut List Tables

Sorting Weldment Cut List Tables By Item Numbers

Inserting Weldment Cut List

Tables in Drawings

To insert a weldment cut list table into a drawing:

1. In a drawing, click Weldment Cut List (Table toolbar) or Insert > Tables >
Weldment Cut List.
 2. Select a drawing view.

3. Specify properties in the Weldment Cut List PropertyManager, then click .

4. If you did not select Attach to anchor point in the PropertyManager, click
in the graphics area to place the cut list.

You can insert multiple cut lists in a drawing sheet.

Be sure to trim structural members in the part document so that

correct lengths appear on the cut list in the drawing. For example, use
Trim/Extend (Weldments toolbar) to trim both ends of the cross
member flush with the faces of the side members so the correct
length (270) appears on the cut list.

Before trimming

After trimming

Weldment Cut List

PropertyManager

Specify properties for weldment cut lists.

To open the Weldment Cut List PropertyManager:

1. In a drawing, click Weldment Cut List (Table toolbar) or Insert > Tables >
Weldment Cut List.

2. Select a drawing view.

Table Template
Click Browse for template to choose a standard or custom template. This option
is available only during table insertion. The weldment cut list table templates
supplied with the software add columns to the default format. They are located at:
install_dir
\lang\english. The standard template (cut list.sldwldtbt)
creates ITEM NO., QTY., DESCRIPTION, and LENGTH columns.

Table Position
The stationary corner controls the direction in which the table expands when
adding new columns or rows.

Set the Stationary corner to:

Top Left New columns extend to the right and new rows extend below
 the anchor point.

Top Right New columns extend to the left and new rows extend below the
anchor point.

Bottom New columns extend to the right and new rows extend above
Left the anchor point.

Bottom New columns extend to the left and new rows extend above the
Right anchor point.

Attach to anchor point Attaches the specified corner to the table anchor.

The Stationary corner option is not available when you first create the table. If
the table is anchored on creation, the stationary corner is automatically selected
on the drawing sheet in the quadrant nearest the table anchor.

Configurations
Cut lists are usually based on the As Welded configuration.

Keep Missing Item

If cut list items have been deleted from the weldment since the cut list was
created, you can keep the items listed in the table. If missing items are kept, select
Strikeout to display text for the missing item with strikeout formatting.

Item Numbers
  Start The cut list starts with the number displayed.

Do not change Click for item numbers to remain with their rows when
item numbers columns are sorted or re-ordered.

Border
Box Border Sets a line thickness for the outside border of the table.

Grid Border Sets a line thickness for the inner grid lines of the table.

Layer
In drawings with named layers, select a layer. The table assumes the layer color.

Text Format
All
uppercase Select to specify that all
characters in the table are uppercase.
Weldment Cut List Column
PropertyManager

Use this PropertyManager to change the content of a column in a weldment cut

list.

Specify the columns to be included in a weldment cut list and their position in the
table.

To open the Column PropertyManager:

Click the head of a column when the pointer changes to .

To change the column positions:

Drag and drop columns to move position within a table.

To add a new column to the table:

Right-click in a table column and select Insert > Column Right or Column Left.
You cannot add columns from within the PropertyManager.

Column Properties
For the selected column, choose one of the following column types, listed with its
header title. You can edit the header in the Title box below.

Item ITEM Data for each Cut-List-Item in the model populates the
number NO. column. Each Cut-List-Item is listed under Cut list in the
FeatureManager design tree of the part document.

Quantity QTY. The number of entities in each Cut-List-Item populates the

column.

Cut list Cut The name of the cut list item (Cut-List-Item1, for example)
item list in the part document populates the column.
name item
name

User   Edit <New Column> in Title for the column header. Enter
defined data into the column manually.

Cut list   Custom properties for cut list items in the part document.
item Select an item in Custom property and edit text for the
property column header in Title. Properties such as DESCRIPTION
and LENGTH are available automatically for bodies created
through the Structural Member PropertyManager. You can
add other custom properties for cut list items.

Title   Edit the text of the column header.

Sorting Columns in
Weldment Cut List Tables

To sort a column in a weldment cut list table:

Right-click in a column and select Sort > Ascending or Descending.

Sorting Weldment Cut List

Tables By Item Numbers

To sort a weldment cut list table by item number:

1. Click the upper left corner to select the entire weldment cut list table.

2. Under Item Numbers in the PropertyManager, click Do not change item

numbers.

Do not change item numbers also keeps item numbers with their rows
when columns are sorted or re-ordered.

3. Click .

4. Right-click the Item No. column of the table and select Sort > Ascending
or Sort > Descending
.

Structure System

The structure system uses primary and secondary structural members in a

workflow that makes it easier to create complex structure systems with flexible
corner
management and trimming.

You build primary members on a grid you create using 2D and 3D sketch segments,
points, edges, reference planes, and surfaces. Secondary members each run
between two
primary members. You define secondary members by selecting a
support plane and two
primary members, or by clicking two primary members.
When you finish defining the structural members, the software opens the Corner
Management PropertyManager so you can fine-tune the corner treatments.
Corners update
automatically when you make changes to the structure system or
member profiles.

These tools make up the structure system feature:

Create Activates the Structure System mode. (Similar to clicking

Structure Sketch to
enter Sketch mode.)
System

Primary Adds members defined by sketch entities, points, reference

Structural planes,
and surfaces.
Member

Secondary Adds members between two primary members.

Structural
Member

Corner Groups corners into simple, two member, and complex corner
Management types, and
applies trim treatments.

Predefine Defines a pierce point in structural member sketch.

pierce point
in profile

Align Zooms to the profile of the structural member and shifts the
Member profile to
align the pierce points with the structural member
sketch segment.

Contents
Entering Structure System Mode

Structure System mode is the design environment where you create an advanced welded structure system.

Primary Members

Secondary Members

Creating Curved Beams and Merging Tangent Members

You can create curved beams from primary and secondary members in a structure system. Curved members
behave the same way as linear members where you can add secondary members between them.

Corner Management

Predefine Pierce Point PropertyManager

Defines pierce point in a structural member sketch.

Primary Member PropertyManager

Adds members defined by sketch entities, points, reference planes, and surfaces.

Secondary Member PropertyManager

 Adds members between two primary members.

Profile PropertyManager

Simple Corner PropertyManager

Two Member PropertyManager

Complex Corner PropertyManager

Entering Structure System

Mode

Structure System mode is the design environment where you create an

advanced
welded structure
system.

To enter Structure System mode:

Click Insert > Structure System > Structure System

.

You can also enter Structure System mode from the Structure System tab in the
CommandManager.

The Structure System mode icon appears in the Confirmation Corner of the
graphics
area.

Primary Members

You can create primary members with

these methods:

Path Creates a member along a sketch entity. Select one

or more
Segment sketch entities (similar to weldments). You can also select
model edges for path segments.

Reference Creates a member along the intersection of two or

more planes.
Plane

Point and Creates a member originating at a point and

extending for a
Length specified length. Select one or more points and
specify a length.
 On
Face Creates a member along the intersection of a face
or surface,
and a plane.

Contents
Specifying the Profile

You can apply different profiles to members in a structure system.

Creating Primary Members Based on Points and Length

Creating Primary Members from Path Segments

Creating Primary Members from Reference Planes

Specifying the Profile

You can apply different profiles to members in a structure system.

To specify the
profile:

1. Click Primary Member

(Structure System toolbar) or Insert > Structure
System > Primary Member.

2. Optional: Click Pin

at the top of the
PropertyManager.

3. In the PropertyManager, on the Profile tab, select a standard, type, and

size. For
example:

Option Description

Standard Iso

Type Sb beam - Configured

Size 120 x 12

Creating Primary Members

Based on Points and Length

To create
primary members based on points and length:

1. Expand the flyout FeatureManager® design tree in the graphics area.

 2. In the PropertyManager, click the Member
tab and in Primary Member
Type, click
Point Length Member
.

3. In the graphics area, click each point at the corners of the

Template
sketch.

4. In the PropertyManager, type 2700mm for Length.

5. Click .

Creating Primary Members

from Path Segments

To create
primary members from path segments:

1. Click Path Segment Member

for Primary Member
Type.

2. In the graphics area, click the four line segments that make up
the
Overhang sketch.

3. Click .

Creating Primary Members

from Reference Planes

To
create primary members from reference planes:

1. Click Ref Plane Member

for Primary Member
Type.

2. For Reference Set,

select the following planes by expanding Reference
Data
in the flyout FeatureManager design tree.

You can also display planes by clicking View > Hide/Show > Planes.

a. For Start and End

Plane, click Base
and Third.

These planes are parallel and define the length of the

members.

b. For Plane Set 1,

click Right Plane.

This plane is perpendicular and intersects with the

Start and
End Plane.

 c. For Plane Set 2,

click Front-1 and Back.

Plane Set 2
intersects with Plane Set 1. They
define the location
of the two members that are in the middle of the
structure.

3. Unpin the PropertyManager

and click .

The primary members of the structural system are

complete.

Secondary Members

You can create secondary members with these methods:

On Creates a member on a plane between two primary

members.
Plane Select a plane and two primary members.

Between Creates a member between two primary members.

Click to
Points position the endpoints of the secondary member. You can
offset
the position by specifying a distance from the primary
members.

Contents
Creating Secondary Members from Reference Planes

Creating Secondary Members Between Points and Changing Profiles

Creating Secondary
Members from Reference
Planes

To create secondary members from reference planes:

1. On the Structure System tab, click Secondary Member

.

2. Click Pin
at the top of the
PropertyManager.

3. Click Support Plane

Member
for Secondary
Member Type.

4. For Support Plane, select the Second plane in the flyout FeatureManager
design
tree.

5. Click Link and click in Member Pairs.

 Link creates a chain of member
pairs. The endpoint of one member pair
is used as the beginning of the next
member pair in the chain.

6. In the graphics area, select the first two members under the
Overhang as
shown.

The PropertyManager lists this member pair as Member1, Member9.

7. Select the remaining vertical members.

8. Right-click in Member
Pairs and click Delete to
remove Member1,
<Select> from the
following list:

Member1, Member9

Member9, Member4

Member4, Member3

Member3, Member10

Member2, Member1

Member1,<Select>

The members in the list may vary depending on the order that you select
them.

9. In the PropertyManager, click Support Plane.

10. In the flyout FeatureManager design tree, click the First plane to add
another level of secondary
members.

11. Click .

Creating Secondary
Members Between Points
and Changing Profiles

To create secondary members between points and change

profiles:

1. Click Between Points Member

for Secondary Member Type.

2. Change the orientation of the model by clicking View (Heads-Up) > Left
View and select the secondary members shown.

3. Adjust the position of the secondary member by clicking the

Up and
Down arrows for Mem 1
and Mem 2.

4. Change the profile of the secondary member:

a. Click Profile tab.

 b. For Type, select
rectangular tube -
Configured.

c. For Size, select

70 x 40 x 5.

5. Change the orientation of the model by clicking View (Heads-Up) >

Isometric.

6. Unpin the
PropertyManager and click .

7. Click Structure System

in the Confirmation Corner to exit the
structure
system mode.

The Corner
Management PropertyManager displays. Simple corners highlight in
the
model.

Creating Curved Beams and

Merging Tangent Members

You can create curved beams from primary and secondary members in a
structure
system. Curved members behave the same way as linear members where you can
add
secondary members between them.

If you select a 3D curve or spline as a reference, the member can only pierce
through the center of the profile. Also, in some scenarios, you cannot sweep
members
with 2D or 3D splines because of their curvature and radius.

You can also merge multiple members that are tangent to each other into a
single
member with the Merge Tangent Members
option and add secondary members
between merged members.

Corner Management

When you create a structure system for the first time, the Corner Management
PropertyManager opens automatically.

In the PropertyManager, corners are grouped according to the number of members

that meet at a point and joint type. Corners are also color-coded to make them
easier to
identify in the graphics area.

Corner Description
type
 Corner Description
type

Simple The position where the ends of two members meet and
the
segments are collinear.

Two The position where two members intersect.

corner

Complex The position where more than three members intersect.

Trim options let you modify and adjust joints between structural members. For
models with two corners and complex corners, you can assign a member as a trim
tool and
use it to add or remove material from adjacent members.

Contents
Editing Simple Corners

Trimming Complex Corners

When you assign a member as the trim tool, the member extends as needed in the graphics area. You use the
trim tool as a tool body to add or remove material from adjacent members.

Examples of Complex Corner Management

This topic demonstrates examples of complex corner with various trim orders.

Editing Simple Corners

There are two methods for trimming:

Body trim. Conforms the intersecting member to the shape of adjacent

faces
by adding or removing material.

Planar trim. Cuts the intersecting member with a plane at first contact or
full contact. First contact trims the member when it first comes into
contact with adjoining faces. Full contact is where the member is
trimmed
flush with adjoining faces.

To
edit simple corners:

1. Change the orientation of the model by clicking View (Heads-Up) > Left
View.

2. On the Simple tab of the PropertyManager,

click Simple2.

3. Zoom to the intersection of the corner.

The secondary member is trimmed at first contact.

4. For Planar Trim Options,

click Full Contact .
 The corner is trimmed flush against the adjacent face.

5. Click .

Trimming Complex Corners

When you assign a member as the trim tool, the member extends as needed in the
graphics area. You use the trim tool as a tool body to add or remove material from
adjacent
members.

To trim complex corners:

1. Open system_dir:\Users\Public\Public
Documents\SOLIDWORKS\SOLIDWORKS
2019\samples\whatsnew\parts\trim_complex_corner.sld
prt.

2. In the FeatureManager design tree, right-click Corner Managementand

click Edit Feature
.

3. In the PropertyManager, under Corner

Treatment:

a. Select Trim Order =1,

Member6 and click to move it to Trim
Tool Member.

b. Select Trim Order =1, Member

5 and click to move it to Planar
Trim.

c. Click Full
Contact
for Planar Trim Type.

4. Zoom to the intersection of the corners in the graphics area.

5. In the PropertyManager, select Member4 and Member5 to

display the
trim effect.

Body Trim for Member4 Full Contact Planar Trim for

Member5

6. Click .

Examples of
Complex
Corner
Management

This
topic demonstrates examples of complex corner with various trim
orders.

In the following
examples, the numbers
on members represent trim orders:
 Trim
Order=1

Trim
Order=1

Trim
Order=2

Trim
Order=2

Trim
Order=1

Trim
Order=2

Trim
Order=2

Trim
Order=3

Trim
Order=1

Trim
Order=2

Trim
Order=3

Trim
Order=4

Trim
Order=1

Trim
Order=2

Trim
Order=3

Trim
Order=3

Member in Trim Tool Member Group

In the Complex Corner PropertyManager, when you move a member
from Body
Trim group to the Trim Tool
Member group, the remaining members are trimmed.
The trimming is
based on:

the trim orders of the remaining members

the position of the member that is moved to the Trim Tool

Member
group.

In the following example, T represents that member 4 is moved to

Trim Tool
Member group.

Member in Planar Tool Group

In the Complex Corner PropertyManager, when you move a member to
the Planar
Tool group, the moved member is trimmed. The
trimming is based on the trim
orders and positions of the members that are touching
the moved member.

In the following example, P represents that member 4 is moved to

Planar Tool
group.
Predefine Pierce Point
PropertyManager

Defines pierce point in a structural member sketch.

To open the Predefine

Pierce Point PropertyManager:

1. Click Insert > Structure System > Structure System.

2. Click Predefine Pierce Point in Profile.

Profile
Specify the profile of the structural member by selecting a
sketch.

Pierce Point
Specify any of the vertices or sketch points on the profile.

Center

Top
Center

Bottom
Center

Center
Left

Center
Right

Bottom
Left

Top
Left

Top
Right

Primary Member
PropertyManager

Adds members defined by

sketch entities, points, reference planes, and surfaces.

To open the Primary

Member PropertyManager:

1. ClickInsert > Structure System > Structure System.

2. Click Primary
Member.

h
Path Segment
Creates a member along a sketch entity. Select one or more sketch
entities (similar
to weldments). You can also select model edges for path
segments.

Path
Segments Select path segments in
sketch.

Ref Plane Member

Creates a member along the intersection of two or more planes.

Start
and End Plane Defines the length of the
members.

Plane
Set 1  

Plane
Set 2  

Point Length Member

Creates a member originating at a point and extends to a specified
end condition.

Points Select points in sketch.

End Condition
Specifies end condition for a point length member.

Length Defines a direction and a dimension for the length of

a primary
member.

Point Extends a primary member from the start point to

the end point. Click
Chain
Link to add members along a chain of points.

Up to Extends a primary member up to the selected point.

Point

Up to Extends a primary member from a point to a plane.

The member
Plane extrudes in the direction of the reference plane.

Face Plane Intersection Member

Creates a member along the intersection of a face or surface, and a
plane.

Faces  

Intersecting Planes  

Start/End Extend
Extends members from a starting location to an end point.

Split Member
Divides a member into multiple separate members based on a Reference or a
Dimension.

Reference Splits members with an

intersecting face, reference plane, or
another member.

Dimension Defines a split by

Length and Number of
Instances.

Secondary Member
PropertyManager

Adds members between two primary

members.

To open the Secondary

Member PropertyManager:

Click Insert > Structure System > Secondary Member.

For a new structure system, you must create primary

members before you can
add secondary members.

Secondary Member Type

On Creates a member on a plane between two primary
members. Select
Plane a plane and two primary members.

Between Creates a member between two primary members

based on the
Points position of the end points. You can refine the location
by specifying a
distance from the selected primary members.

Member Pairs
Member Link
creates a chain of member pairs. The end point of one member
Pairs pair is
used as the beginning of the next member pair in the chain.

Support  
Plane

Distance  
From
End

Mem
1  

Mem
2  

Align Zooms to the profile of the structural member

and shifts the profile
Member to align pierce points with the structural
member sketch segment.

d d
Start/End Extend
Extends members from a starting location to an end point.

Split Member
Divides a member into multiple separate members based on a
Reference or a
Dimension.

Reference Splits members with an

intersecting face, reference plane, or
another member.

Dimension Defines a split by

Length and Number of
Instances.

Profile PropertyManager

To open the Profile

PropertyManager:

1. Click Insert > Structure System > Structure System.

2. Click Primary Member or Secondary Member.

3. In the PropertyManager, click Profile

tab.

Profile
Standard Select iso, ansi
inch, or a custom standard that you previously
defined.

Type Select a
profile
type,
such as angle iron or
square tube.

Size Select a
size,
such as 20 x 20 x 3.

The size list is sorted alphanumerically from

the smallest size to the
largest to make it easier to work with
a library that contains a large
number of
standard-size
components.

In addition, the two sizes

you have most recently used appear at the
top of the menu so you
can locate
them.

Additional weldment profiles are

available on the Design
Library
tab. Under SOLIDWORKS Content
, in the
Weldments folder,
Ctrl +
click items to
download .zip
files.

Mirror Flips the profile of the members about its

Horizontal Axis or
Vertical
Profile Axis.

   
Pierce Point
Selection Select
the pierce points in the graphics area.

Optionally, you can also select the predefined pierce point

such
as Center or
Top Left from the
list.

Offset Select
to enter the offset value horizontally or
vertically.
Pierce
Point

Horizontal Offsets
the profile along the X-axis by the specified
value.
Axis

Vertical Offsets
the profile along the Y-axis by the specified
value.
Axis

   

Profile Aligns an axis of the group profile to any

selected vector (edge,
Alignment construction line, etc.). Select which axis
of the profile to align:

Horizontal
axis

Vertical
axis

Contents
Manipulating Profiles Using the Graphical Manipulator

You can use a graphical manipulator to interact with the profile of a structural member.

Manipulating Profiles Using

the Graphical
Manipulator

You
can use a graphical manipulator to interact with the profile of a structural
member.

In the Profile PropertyManager,

select the Profile tab to display the graphical
manipulator. Use the manipulator to drag or rotate a profile to align it.

To manipulate profiles using the graphical

manipulator:

1. Drag the horizontal or vertical handle to offset the profile in

the respective
direction.

2. Rotate the circular

handle
of the graphical manipulator to rotate the
profile about the pierce point.
 3. Optional: Double-click the horizontal or vertical handle to flip the
profile
along the respective direction.

Simple Corner
PropertyManager

To open the Simple

Corner PropertyManager:

1. In the FeatureManager design tree, expand Corner

Management.

2. Right-click Simple Corner Group

and click Edit Feature.

In the graphics area, each purple handle on the model represents a corner
group.
When you select a blue handle, the corner group highlights in the
PropertyManager.

Corner Groups
Lists corner groups to which you can apply trim treatments. You cannot add or
remove corners from a group.

Corner Treatment
Planar Trim Cuts the intersecting member with a plane.
Type

First
Contact Planar Trim Type Option. Trims the member when it first
comes
into contact with adjacent faces.

Full
Contact Planar Trim Type Option. Trims the member flush with
adjacent
faces.

Body Trim Conforms the intersecting member to the shape of adjacent

Type faces
by adding or removing material.

  Click Up or Down to select trim tool

member.

  Gap Adds a gap between members.

  Ignore Corner  
Treatment

Two Member
PropertyManager
To open the Two Member
PropertyManager:

1. In the FeatureManager design tree, expand Corner Management.

2. Right-click Two Member Corner

Group and select Edit
Feature.

In the graphics area, each green handle on the model represents a corner group.
When
you select a blue handle, the corner group highlights in the PropertyManager.

Corner Groups
Lists corner groups to which you can apply trim treatments. You cannot add or
remove corners from a group.

Corner Treatment
Miter
Trim Trim the members at a 45 degree angle.

Planar Trim Cuts the intersecting member with a plane.

Type

First
Contact Planar Trim Type Option. Trims the member when it first
comes
into contact with adjacent faces.

Full
Contact Planar Trim Type Option. Trims the member flush with
adjacent
faces.

Body Trim Conforms the intersecting member to the shape of adjacent

Type faces
by adding or removing material.

    Select Up or Down arrow to assign trim tool

member.

  Gap Adds a gap between members.

  Ignore Corner  
Treatment

Complex Corner
PropertyManager

To open the
Complex
Corner
PropertyManager:

1. In the FeatureManager design tree, expand Corner Management.

2. Right-click Complex Corner

Group and select Edit
Feature.

In the graphics area, each blue handle on the model represents a corner
group.
When you select a blue handle, the corner group highlights in the
PropertyManager.

Corner Group
A corner group is a collection of related corners. You cannot add or
remove
corners from a group.

Corner Treatment
  Trim
tool Defines the tool body for all other
members.
member

Body
Trim Conforms the intersecting member to the shape of
adjacent
faces by adding or removing material. Select trim order of
members by clicking Up or
Down
arrow
that is next to the Body
Trim group
box.

Planar Cuts the intersecting member with a plane.

Select
the members
Trim Type to move to the Planar Trim group
and click Up or Down
arrow
that is above the Planar Trim
group.

First Default
Planar
trim
option.
Trims
planar
trim member when it
Contact first comes into contact with
adjacent faces.
planar
trim

Full Planar
trim option. Trims the planar trim member and takes the
Contact shape of its
adjacent faces when it touches them.
planar
trim

Gap Adds a gap between members.

  Ignore Ignores
the corner treatment.
Corner
Treatment

  Allow Extends
the structural members.
Extension
Check the updated
preview in the graphics area.

Pattern and Mirror Support

You can pattern and mirror structure system members using the
Linear Pattern,
Circular Pattern, or
Mirror tools.

In the Pattern PropertyManager, under Bodies, you can specify structure system
features or individual members
to pattern. You can also mirror members by
specifying structure system features or
individual members under Bodies to Mirror
in the
Mirror PropertyManager.

You can add secondary members as a separate structure system feature between
patterned and mirrored members.
You can also create secondary members as part of a new structure system by
selecting members from existing structure system features.