Using Face Splits to Control Welds

Using Face Splits to Control Welds
By Dennis Jeffrey, AICE

Problem: Getting Properly Spaced Fillet Welds in Inventor
Often it is impossible to get properly space and locate fillet welds in Inventor, due to the model geometry properties. In this example, the round part will "chain" the weld around the face. Individual partial face welds may not be placed properly in relation to the base part.

One solution to this problem is to make a face split on the base part to allow control of the exposed base face inside the face split.

Any shape geometry may be created for the split geometry sketch. Tack welds, for example could be an array of small circles or rectangles. In the example attached, a rectangle was used to create the face split.

Face splits can be done "on the fly" within the weldment assembly environment by editing in place.

Download Example File (R11).