Chapter 31: Using Weldments
FIGURE 31.15Using the Fillet Bead interface
Using Non-Structural Components
Non-structural components are frequently needed in weldments, and include items such as feet,
plates, brackets, mounting pads, castings, and other items. Simpler items that can be easily mod-
eled in place can be placed directly into the weldment part. You can also insert parts into the weld-
ment using the Insert Part feature, and move them into place by using dimensions or mates. In
general, if any item is actually welded into the weldment, then you are recommended to place it in
the weldment part; however, items that are bolted on should probably be placed into an assembly.
Of course, this probably depends more on your company’s documentation standards, part-numbering
standards, and assembly processes than on software capabilities.When adding a plate such as the footplate shown in Figure 31.16, the geometry is added using the
standard Extrude feature, except that the Merge option is deselected by default. This ensures that
non-structural components that are manually modeled, such as this part, are created as separate
bodies, and not merged together with the existing structural items.