Showing weldments in SolidWorks drawings is an essential skill for any designer or engineer working with welded structures. It allows you to accurately communicate the welding details and specifications to fabricators and manufacturers. In this tutorial, we will explore different methods to show weldments in SolidWorks drawings.
Method 1: Using Weldment Annotations
If you have created a weldment structure using the Weldments feature in SolidWorks, you can easily display it in your drawing by using Weldment Annotations.
- Step 1: Open your assembly drawing and go to the Annotations tab.
- Step 2: Click on the Weldment Annotation tool from the toolbar.
- Step 3: Select the edges or faces of the weldment members you want to annotate.
- Step 4: Choose the desired annotation type, such as Fillet Weld, Groove Weld, Spot Weld, etc.
- Step 5: Specify the welding details and dimensions in the PropertyManager dialog box.
This method allows you to add specific annotations for each weldment member, making it clear and easy to understand for fabricators.
Method 2: Using Custom Symbols
If you prefer a more customized approach, you can create your own welding symbols using SolidWorks’ Custom Symbol functionality. This method gives you greater flexibility in designing unique symbols that meet your specific requirements.
- Step 1: Access the Symbols library by clicking on Tools > Symbols from the menu bar.
- Step 2: In the Symbols dialog box, click on the Add Symbol button.
- Step 3: Use the drawing tools to create your custom welding symbol.
- Step 4: Save your symbol and exit the Symbols dialog box.
- Step 5: Place your custom symbol on the weldment faces or edges in your drawing using the Insert > Annotations > Weld Symbol command.
This method allows you to add unique symbols that represent specific welding details, making your drawings more visually appealing and informative.
Method 3: Using Weldment Cut Lists
If you are dealing with a complex weldment structure with multiple members, using a Weldment Cut List can greatly simplify the process of showing weldments in SolidWorks drawings. The Cut List automatically generates a table that lists all the individual members along with their properties and dimensions.
- Step 1: Activate the Cut-List folder in the FeatureManager design tree of your assembly drawing.
- Step 2: Drag and drop the Weldment Cut List item from the FeatureManager onto your drawing sheet.
The Cut List table provides detailed information about each weldment member, including its size, material, length, and other relevant properties. This method is particularly useful when you need to provide comprehensive documentation for fabrication purposes or when you want to show an overview of all weldments in one place.
In conclusion,
Showcasing weldments in SolidWorks drawings can be achieved using various methods such as Weldment Annotations, Custom Symbols, or Weldment Cut Lists. Each method offers different benefits depending on your specific needs. Whether you prefer precise annotations, custom symbols for visual impact, or comprehensive cut lists, SolidWorks provides the tools to effectively communicate your welding details to fabricators and manufacturers.