Mastering SolidWorks®: The Design Approach, Second Edition

Chapter 10. Sheet Metal and Weldments

10.1 Introduction

The previous chapters have focused heavily on presenting and harnessing the power of features, curves (especially 3D curves), and surfaces to create solids. As a matter of fact, there are no parts that cannot be created using these modeling tools. However, this chapter covers the basics of one class of parts that, although it can be modeled using these tools, is created more efficiently via other specialized modeling techniques. This class is sheet metal parts and weldments (welded parts). These parts are used heavily in industry, and CAD/CAM systems provide special modeling techniques to create them efficiently. For example, a weldment is created as a steel or welded frame or structure ...