Aluminum Extrusions
How to do a weldment w/ different profiles?
PREREQUISITE
3d Sketch
REFERENCES
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DTHrxWWL0JI
TERMS
 Weldment - Solidwork's definition is unique tool SET for designing Structural Frames. Does not
have to be welded frames.
 Cut List - A type of BOM w/ enhanced properties
NOTES
 Weldment is a MULTI-body Part file.
 Cut list is key output of Weldment and multi-body part file.
HOW TO
1. CREATING A PROFILE - (NOTE: Creating the *.sldlfp file took 2+ tries. I try highlight what I did to
make it work below)
a. Find a profile of your extrusion, such as 3D Content Central.
b. Remove the extruded feature and retain original sketch profile. Eliminate unneeded
features and simplify to make a 'faster' sketch.
i. Use Display/Delete Relations to remove sketch relations and delete what's not
needed.
ii. Can use the 'corner' TRIM tool to clean up removed fillets as needed.
iii. Then FIX sketch geometry. (Usually not recommended.)
c. *Note: File locations
i. Prior to saving the feature, check you folder setup in System Options - File
Locations.
1. Set file path to desired Weldment Profile folder. I set mine to:
C:\Users\M4500\Google Drive\Engineering General\CAD\Solidworks\Solidworks templates\Solidworks
Templates\Weldment Profiles
2. Also, did the same for Weldment Cut List Templates and Weldment
Property File
d. Save as a Library feature (*.sldlfp) - This was EASIER said than done. It took me 2+
tries.
i. The way I got it to save properly, I highlighted the SKETCH in the Tree, then
went to the design library and highlighted Weldment Profiles. Then, I selected
the +Library Icon below. Before saving, I selected *.sldlfp. Then, I renamed the
Profile in the library.
ii. http://help.solidworks.com/2014/English/SolidWorks/sldworks/c_Weldments_F
ile_Location_for_Custom_Profiles.htm
iii. sfsdaf
2. 3D SKETCH
a. Here's a youtube video I've watched for 3d Sketch I found helpful: https://youtu.be/HOyg6sC5t4?list=PLzR-VqwewAwZEWFQGwd8hFukmMVTQL8R6
b. Learn how to use be comfortable w/ 3D Sketch.
i. Double click on a plane to create a temporary plane to sketch on.
ii. Let snapping do the work.
3. TRIM
a. Trim is a key component as the initial Structural Member may not place the bodies
correctly in the model.
b. When trimming BETWEEN structures, the "Solid" Corner Type and Face/Plane trim
worked best for me. Some of the other Corner Types trimmed the Trimming Boundary
body as well, which was not desirable.
4. MIRROR
a. Mirroring is a little different than normal as well because you're working with bodies.
Select Bodies to Mirror rather than Features or Faces.
5. Multi-Body Parts
a. External Components can be added to Weldment file.
i. Insert Part or Dragging and dropping it in.
ii. Converted to solid body. Can be mated, but mates are limited.
b. Custom Properties
i. Right click on cut list or/and components added to add custom properties to
parts to update the BOM.
ii.