Weldments are a way to quickly extrude a multitude of bodies with similar profiles and export them into cut lengths

Below are some examples that would be best-modeled using Weldments

Profiles must be saved in a particular format in a particular folder structure in order to work properly

1. Weldment Profile Folder

2. Standard

   • ANSI, Wood, K'Nex etc.

3. Type

   • Linear, Trim, Rod etc.

4. Library Parts

   • 2x4.sldlfp, 2x6.sldlfp

3D Sketch the profile for ALL members regardless of profile

Alternatively, extrude the outline of the object, then create the 3D sketch and convert entities on the edges

See 3D SKETCHING

This is the primary tool within Weldments

For each Type of Profile, there will typically only be one Structural Member feature (with some exceptions)

Structural Members have categories and sub-categories to help easily define the profiles

Groups are typically independent segments that may or may not interact with each other

Unlike most features within SolidWorks, instead of adding new features, New Group is used to insert additional bodies

Each Group will be a collection of Segments

The order in which the segments are selected is important

The orientation of the profile along the sketch segment can be manipulated using the Mirror Profile, Alignment, and Angle controls

Profiles should have a good variety of insertion points, sometimes points that weren't originally obvious

You can select any point/endpoint to change where the profile aligns with the segment

NOTE: All segments within the group will align to this point, therefore it may be beneficial to separate asymmetric profiles into different groups when changing the insertion point

Joints are controlled by the pink-dot at intersections between Segments

Select the pink-dot to open the Corner Treatment Dialog

A joint of two intersecting segments will present a list of two groups, of which they have an order and a style

Butt 1 (Left over Right) Butt 2 (Right over Left) or Miter (Evenly at Angle)

Play with the Order and the Style until it Previews the desired joint

Members of different Groups and Features may overlap in an undesired manner. Typically, after all Structural Member features have been inserted, it is time to Trim/Extend as needed.

The Endcap feature can be a quick alternative to Extrude to add caps to a variety of members

Gusset feature can be a quick alternative to Extrude to add corner supports between two structural members

Each gusset must be inserted individually

For cosmetic and drawing-callout purposes, a Weld Bead feature may be added to assist in indicating to the fabricator where, and what type, welds are required

Once a weldment has been created, if individual drawings are to be made of the members, each must be saved to its own part using Save Bodies command

These exported versions will still all reference the original weldment part model, so be careful with the name/location of this parent file

Once a Weldment has been inserted into a Mechanical Detail Drawing, a Cut List Table may be inserted

This Cutlist acts like a BOM, but for a single, multi-body part