Frame Designs with SolidWorks Weldments

In this video Perry demonstrates how SolidWorks enables users to create structural designs ( frames ) by using what is called "Weldment" features.

Frames are easily and quickly created in SolidWorks by using 2D and/or 3D sketches. Other tools that can be used in frame designs is the Grid feature which allows users to create a single base sketch on the top plane with required geometry and then pattern at required instances with scalable heights for each instance.

Then by using tools found in SolidWorks - Standard, Professional & Premium allow the user to easy create the frame design rather than using the Boss Extrude feature or other simple features.

Not only does Weldments automate the Extrude Boss but also the additional sketching and cutting of the bodies, also limits the user to huge amounts of clicking and setup.

in the background SolidWorks Weldments is adding additional properties to each newly created cutlist item - some properties that can be found is overall length, Body Weight and many more.

Later the design is then placed onto a drawing for further detailing and by adding a CutList table we are able to see the sizes, quantities and lengths required for the members. SolidWorks Parts, Assemblies and Drawings are all associative between their referenced counter parts allowing the user to quickly produce the documentation from the original modelled item.

This Blog was prepared and presented by Perry.

For more content please check out our YouTube Channel and also our Blog site:

http://solidtecsolutions.blogspot.com.au/

http://www.solidtec.com.au/

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Australia and New Zealand users of Solidworks - Please read

For all our users of Solidworks 2013(PR and SP 0) in the ANZ region, please be aware of the following  bug in the Weldments module:

As of Solidworks release 2013(PR and SP 0), we have found that a few Weldment profiles have incorrect sizes.  For example, in figure 1 below, the profile is selected from the "AS" standard, Type is "Equal Angle AS-NZS", and size is 45x45x3.  We can see the error here is that it's actually 50 x 50 x 7.8.  We have found at least two profiles where this problem exists(45x45x3 & 50x50x3).  There may be others.  We can also see errors with the sketch itself.  The problem has been reported to Solidworks and will be fixed in a future release.

Figure 1

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How to create an entire library of weldment profiles

Starting with a sketch profile, you may create a series of sketch profile configurations using a design table. By executing the attached macro, these configurations are saved out as library feature parts (.sldflp). If saved to the location where SolidWorks searches for weldment profiles, the structural member feature will allow you to use these profiles to create a weldment.

Download macro here

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Total cost of cutlists

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Hide/Show Bodies

I have recently had a few queries from customers wanting to know how to hide/show bodies quickly and I have found the simplest way to do this is add the command as a mouse gesture.

You can find the hide/show bodies feature under the view menu and the other way you can hide show is by a Right Mouse Button click on a body and select the specticles Icon which will hide bodies. The issue is when you want them back, which you can do by going to the solid bodies folder and again right click and select show. This is tricker when it is a Weldment though because you then have to try find out which cut list folder the body is in and going to the view drop down can be slow.

So instead set up a mouse gesture which can be done by going to customize on the Tools drop down menu. Use the search in the mouse gestures options to find the command hide/show bodies and then assign a gesture for the part, assembly and sketch levels.

You will now find it a breeze to hide and show bodies by a simple press of the right mouse button

with a slight mouse movement and you can then activate this command.

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