Chapter 31: Using Weldments
FIGURE 31.11A tangent arc segment used in a Structural Member feature
Patterning and symmetry
Bodies created by the Structural Member feature can be patterned and mirrored. Remember that
there is a difference between patterning features and patterning bodies. The Move/Copy Bodies fea-
ture is also appropriate for creating bodies to be used in the weldment, although the Structural
Member feature does not create them directly.I mention this to emphasize the point that sketching with symmetry is still important, although it
is more difficult with 3D sketches than with conventional 2D sketches. Symmetry in a 3D sketch
can only be used when a plane is activated, and you can activate regular reference geometry planes,
not just 3D sketch planes. I also mention this because in larger weldments (or when using slower
computers), performance may be an issue, and mirroring or patterning bodies is certainly a perfor-
mance enhancement over building parametric features.Configurations
When you start creating a weldment, SolidWorks automatically creates a derived configuration. Both
configurations are named Default, but they have different descriptions. The parent configuration
description is As Machined, and the derived, or indented, configuration description is As Welded.This arrangement holds true for any additional top-level configurations that you create in the part;
they will all get the description As Machined and inherit an identically named derived configura-
tion with the description As Welded. These configurations are meant to help you create drawings
where the raw weldment is distinguished from the weldment after it has been machined, ground,
and drilled.