Weldments <it's an option>

For most of us using weldments you may have noticed that there is a <as welded> or <as machined> description behind your configuration names. Although it's nice to see, sometimes we don't want it. Like in the case we want to use the configuration name as a drawing name or part number.

Well we will just get rid of it then right? Attempt #1 - edit configuration properties and delete it from description... failed. Attempt #2 - edit configuration name directly, hmmm it's not there. I can see it but when I try to edit the name it is not in the edit text box. This should be easy right? Now it is.

SolidWorks has added an option to allow this to be removed from the configuration name by turning on this option check box.

Tools > Options > System Options > General > Disable additional weldment configuration description strings

 

This option needs to be turned on to permit the ability to rename the 'as welded' and 'as machined' text from the configuration names.

1. If the option is set and the user inserts a weldment (weldment feature or a structural member feature) into a non-weldment part the original configuration ('as machined') will retain its old name. A suffix '-welded’ will be added to the new derived configuration

2. Setting the option will allow users to edit the full name of existing weldment configurations and to remove the <As Machined> <As welded> suffixes manually.

3. When the option is turned off, names of weldment configurations will be created as edited the old way.

Please note that the default setting of the option in the registry file is off.

Let's go design!

John Van Engen

CATI Tech Support

How to size welds using SolidWorks Simulation?

The edge weld connector estimates the appropriate size of a weld needed to attach two metal components. SolidWorks Simulation calculates the appropriate weld size at each mesh node location along the weld seam.

   
 

 
 

 

 

 

select face of sheetmetal body

 

select face of sheetmetal or solid body

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

reduces allowable shear strenght for calculation of weld strength

 

 

 

 

 

Results list the min, max and mean values along weld seam and they are given per unit weld length. The values listed are

- weld size

- weld throat size

- Joint normal force

- shear weld force

- shear surface normal force

- bending moment

 

 

This is a great feature to make sure the welds work .

Rajat  Trehan

Product Manager- Design Validation

Computer Aided Technology Inc.

Save body from deformed shape

You can save the true deformed shape of a part or assembly resulting from running a static or nonlinear study. You can save the deformed geometry as a new configuration or a new document. Use the generated geometry for simulation or manufacturing purposes. This functionality works for solid, shell, and mixed meshes with solids and shells.

For linear static studies, you can use this functionality to control the shape of the deformed model. For example, consider a planar plate subjected to a uniform pressure p. If you save and manufacture the deformed shape of the plate under a uniform pressure -p, the plate will be planar when the pressure p is applied.

 

User can create deformed shape of a part or assembly file and save it as a configuration to existing file or create a new part.

Rajat Trehan

Product Manager - Design Validation

Computer Aided Technology Inc.

CATI SolidWorks 2011 St. Louis Launch at the Kemp Auto Museum

Join us for our 2011 SolidWorks Launch event in St. Louis, MO and be inspired by one of the country’s finest collections of vintage and classic automobiles.  Many of the cars on display in the Museum’s Benz Gallery are luxury vehicles that pushed the envelope in terms of what a car could be.  Attendees will be treated to a guided tour of these engineering masterpieces. 

Event Registration Link
http://www.cati.com/catiphp/events/event-register.php?CourseID=11143

This year's event includes a look at What's New in SolidWorks 2011, a demonstration of 3D Printing Solutions by Objet Geometries, complimentary lunch, raffle prizes, and more.  Complimentary cocktail reception to immediately follow the event. 

Jim TeDesco

CATI, Marketing

CATI SolidWorks 2011 Launch Event to be held at Bucyrus International, Inc.

This year CATI will be hosting our Milwaukee area SolidWorks Launch Event at the Bucyrus International Headquarters in South Milwaukee, WI.  The event will be held in the Bucyrus Heritage Building, which houses the Bucyrus Museum.  Attendees for this year’s Milwaukee area event will have a chance to tour the Bucyrus Museum and enjoy the rich history of the company and its mining equipment.

Why Bucyrus?
Bucyrus International, Inc., a current CATI SolidWorks client, leverages SolidWorks in the design and manufacture of high productivity mining equipment.  Our hope is that SolidWorks users of all skill levels and industries will appreciate how Bucyrus manages to design and produce revolutionary equipment that pushes the boundaries of the mining equipment market.  Learn more about Bucyrus and their success using SolidWorks: http://www.cati.com/successes/casestudies/3d-cad-solidworks-casestudy-bucyrus.html 

Event Registration Link
http://www.cati.com/events/2011-launch/2011-launch-events-MILWAUKEE.php

About Bucyrus
“Bucyrus International, Inc. is a world leader in the design and manufacture of high productivity mining equipment for surface and underground mining. BUCYRUS surface equipment is used for mining coal, copper, iron ore, oil sands and other minerals, and underground equipment is used primarily for mining coal. In addition to machine manufacturing, Bucyrus manufactures high-quality OEM parts and provides world-class support services for its equipment.”  – http://www.bucyrus.com

Jim TeDesco

CATI, Marketing

SolidWorks World 2011 Call for Papers

As everyone may or may not know SolidWorks holds a user conference every year and it has come time once again for SolidWorks to ask it users to submit ideas for presentations for the upcoming SolidWorks World.

So the questions that arise are Where in the world is SolidWorks World, When is SWW, What is SWW, Why is SW looking for presentation ideas & How is it going to benefit me if I submit a presentation idea?

Where in the world is SolidWorks World? Every year SolidWorks World is in a different location. This year it is in San Antonio, Texas. Past locations have included Las Vegas, San Diego, New Orleans, Orlando, & Anaheim.

When is SWW? This year it is Sun Jan 23^rd – Wed Jan 26^th and is generally held anytime from mid Jan. to mid Feb. each year.

What is SWW? SolidWorks World is an annual user conference that SolidWorks hosts for its users. The conference gives all the SolidWorks users a chance to get together in one location and see over 100 presentations on all aspects of the software. Attendees have the ability to see the different partner products that SolidWorks has to offer along with seeing some of the products that are designed in SolidWorks. The conference offers the opportunity to take the CSWP (Certified SolidWorks Professional) Exam or enter into a SolidWorks modeling competition.

Why is SolidWorks looking for presentation ideas? The presentations that are offered at SWW are presentations or hands on sessions that are created by the users, resellers and SolidWorks employees on every topic from hardware setup to surface modeling and are intended for users of all experience levels to attend to learn more about SolidWorks and what it can do to make SolidWorks and the attendees more efficient in how they use their software.

How is it going to benefit me if I submit a presentation idea? When you submit a presentation idea and it gets accepted SolidWorks will pay for your entry fee into SolidWorks World. The only cost incurred by the presenter is hotel, meal and travel costs.

I have presented at SWW2006, SWW2007, SWW2009 & SWW2010 have submitted two presentation ideas for SWW2011 and have enjoyed each year that I have been to SWW and always gotten positive feedback from each of my presentations.

If you would like to submit a presentation, go to this web page and fill out the online form http://solidworks.scsubmissions.com. The deadline to submit ideas is in September so get your ideas in soon as space is always limited. I would also suggest to type out your ideas in Word first so to check spelling, grammar & word count. I have included a series of screen shots from the online form of one of my submissions to give everyone an idea of what SW is looking for.

Download SolidWorks World 2011 Online Form

If there are any questions about this process feel free to contact me at any time.

Josh Altergott

Support Team Leader

Computer Aided Technology

888-308-2284 x8029

josha@cati.com

SolidWorks 2011 Launch Events

It's that time of year! The release of SolidWorks 2011 is quickly approaching and as usual CATI will be hosting 8 different launch events throughout the Midwest.

These events are a great way to see the newest SolidWorks release live, as well as chat-up our always enthusiastic and knowledgeable technical support group with your own SolidWorks 2011 questions and opinions!

A map of our events is below. You can click on a location to see more information about the event - or to register, of course!

We'll also be adding new SolidWorks 2011 content to these pages as it becomes available so don't forget to check in every once in awhile.

See you at the Launch,

Liz Humrickhouse

CATI Marketing