SolidWorks® 2010 Bible

Chapter 31. Using Weldments

IN THIS CHAPTER

• Using 3D sketching techniques

• Creating weldment-specific features

• Adding non-structural components

• Creating sub-weldments

• Understanding Cut lists

• Placing the Weldment Cut list on a drawing

• Working with weldments tutorial

Weldments in SolidWorks are built on driving structural profiles along sketch entities in a multi-body part environment. Weldment members can be curved, you can make them using standard or custom profiles, and you can build them from both 2D and 3D sketches. A Cut list within the part keeps track of the length of each profile that is needed to fabricate the weldment. Weldments are specialized parts that are similar in some ways to sheet metal parts.

You can use weldments for round or rectangular tubular structures, structures made from channels, flanged sections, standard or custom shapes, gussets, and end caps, and they can also represent weld beads in the part. You can also use weldments to create structures that are bolted together, structural aluminum extrusion frames, vinyl window frames, and wooden frames and structures, and you can put them into assemblies with other parts such as castings, sheet metal, and fabricated plate.

Sketching in 3D

Earlier chapters discuss the tools that are available for 3D sketches; this chapter covers techniques for 3D sketching.

Navigating in space

When drawing a line in a 3D sketch, the cursor and ...