How to Use the Weld Bead Feature in SOLIDWORKS

The Weld Bead feature is helpful for adding beads and callouts for welding onto assembly models or weldment models, while also allowing you to calculate length and material required. Watch to learn how to maximize this tool inside of SOLIDWORKS Weldments.

In this Video Tech Tip, we demonstrate how a component set with a series of weld beads (five millimeter fillet welds to be exact) is created and set up in SOLIDWORKS.

Start by setting up a Weld Folder in your FeatureTree. This is where your weld beads will be tracked. First, make sure you are in a weldment where you have the ability to add weld beads. Then, go to the Weldments Toolbar and click Weld Bead to create a weld path. Once way to do this is by defining the bead size radius in the Weld Path setting and adding weld beads to specific edges between solid bodies. Once added, use the Define Weld Symbol to define additional information.

Once applied, fillets will be stored under the Weld Folder, and weld bead properties such as weld material, mass, cost, length and time can be defined for easier, more accurate calculations. Weld beads can also be defined with the Smart Weld Selection Tool, which you can use to sketch the two body faces you want to come into contact and automatically calculate a weld geometry. Whether offsetting the from/to length or adjusting the weld length, the options are endless when you know how to use weld settings.