SOLIDWORKS Weldments: Design Configuration with Trim/Extend Command

What is SOLIDWORKS Weldments tool?

The SOLIDWORKS Weldments tool can be used to create 3D structures using components with multiple profiles with a variety of end-conditions, within a single multi-body Part file. Since any closed profile can be used, this tool is not limited to welded metal applications.

Weldments can be used for anything from machine frames and railings to picnic tables and garden sheds. In this, we'll cover the basics of creating a weldment design in SOLIDWORKS, weldment profiles, and weldment tools. 

Step 1: Add SOLIDWORKS Weldment Tab to Command Manager

Adding the Weldment tab to the Command Manager provides faster access to create 3D sketches, add and trim weldment members, and add gussets and weld beads. To do so, right-click on the Tabs area in the Command Manager to access this menu and select Weldments.

Step 2: Adding the Structural Members

Now that the Weldment tab is added to the Command Manager, we can turn this into a weldment and start adding the structural members.

Step 3: Sketch the Geometry

Inside the Structural Member command, select the Standard, Type, and Size to add members to the previously created sketch.  

Once the profile and size are chosen, select the sketch entity you would like the member to follow.

When adding structural members, SOLIDWORKS groups them automatically. Groups of Structural Members must be a continuous selection path or parallel lines.

In this example, we will group the top members and then edit their connection conditions to meet the desired corner treatment (mitered, in this case). Add another group for the bottom members as below. 

The vertical weldment profiles cannot be grouped with either of the existing groups because they are not all part of a continuous selection path. Instead, each vertical leg will need to be added to its own individual group, since each will need to be rotated/mirrored and relocated to have the correct placement of the profile.

Step 4: Trim/Extend Command

In this example, I have removed the vertical members, then added the member back into the model as a separate feature.

I have selected the Weldment Trim/Extend command, with the vertical member selected as the body to be trimmed and the horizontal members as the boundaries or end conditions. We can choose a body or use a face/plane to define the trimming boundary. In this example, either one will produce the same results.