Insert

Insert weld allows you to create a new weld by manually defining the weld path. The new weld is added as a member to the active weld group and added to the active weld system. A weld path is a kind of 3D polyline with line and arc segments modeled with a small radius cylinders and tori. The weld path is the visual geometric 3D instance of a weld. When selecting a weld in 3D you actually pick the weld path:

You are first asked to pick the part that will be welded. Next you are asked to pick the target object to which the first picked part is welded. Once the parts are picked you are asked to define the weld path.

When defining the weld path you are first asked to define the path start point. Once the start point is defined you can add segments to the weld path. Right click menu can be used to select the type of segment you want to add. The default action is to add a linear segment to the weld path.

After weld is created the system runs automatically a customizable data extraction utility (data extractor, configured in weld settings) to store into the weld data selected interesting information from the welded parts. If information of parts is changed after this then embedded information will be different. The purpose is to make it possible to also list selected properties of the welded parts along with the properties of the weld object when weld reports are generated. See the details in Administrating Welds.

The following segment types can be used in weld paths.

Linear weld segment

A linear weld segment goes from the previous weld segment end point to the next defined point. When adding a linear segment to a weld path you are asked to define the end point of the linear segment.

Arc weld segment

An arc weld segment goes from the previous weld segment end point to the next defined point. When adding an arc segment to a weld path you are first asked to define the arc end point and then you are asked to define the middle point of the arc.

Circle weld segment

A circle can only be added immediately after the weld path start point is defined. The weld path start point will be the circle origin. You are asked to define the circle normal and the circle diameter. Once a circle has been added the weld path is complete and no new segments can be added.

Gap weld segment

A gap weld segment can be used to add gaps to the weld path. When adding a gap to a weld path you are asked to define the end point for the new gap segment. A gap segment is visualized as a dashed line.