Creating Custom Weldments in Solidworks
- Murray Gordon
A guide for adding weldments to Solidworks so you can build a killer chassis!
What is a Weldment?
Simply its a 2D profile extruded along a line. This is important to know if you want a custom profile. You need to make this profile and save it as a .SLDLFP file. The next key element is how you save it. Solidworks requires you to embed this file within a certain folder structure that is explained below.
Creating a Weldment Profile
To make a weldment profile:
Open a new part
Sketch and dimension the profile you want (remember to set the units to what you need)
Save as → Name the file according to the convention below and then select “Lib Feat Part (.sldlfp)” for the file type
Select no if a popup appears
Naming Convention
Profiles should be named according to the following convention:
RulesSizeName*_OuterDiameter_WallThickness.SLDLFP
eg: B_1inOD_0.065inWT.SLDLFP
*if there is no rules name for the profile, it can be ignored.
Saving the Part in the correct file
To understand how to save the file correctly, its easiest to look at the Solidworks structure that is used to select files. You point the system to a home folder. The home folder can contain multiple standard folders, which you can select. You then proceed with to select the type and size in sequence. It goes Home (point system here when selecting a file) → Standard → Type → Size (Save profiles in here)
Currently we have a distinction between Round, Square and 8020 tubes in the Weldment Profiles folder. Save your profile inside the appropriate folder. Note: This may need to be updated for better organisation in the future if we are running a lot of different outer diameters and wall thicknesses.
NER Weldment File Structure | NER File Example |
|---|---|
Home | Weldment Profiles |
Standard | Round, Square etc |
Type | 1” OD, 1.35” OD |
Size | B_1inOD_0.065inWT.SLDLFP |
Setting Up Solidworks to access the profiles on PDM
To access the NER weldment folders, open options and select ‘File Locations’
Change the ‘show folders for:’ menu to Weldment Profiles
Once the Weldment Profile option is selected, click the Add button. Note you need to be logged in to PDM for the next steps. In general, you need to select the home folder for this option but for NER go Weldment Profiles and Sheet Formats and select the Weldment Profiles Folder. Say yes on any pop ups that appear. Restart Solidworks and you should be able to access the profiles.