In line with Autodesk’s paradigm of having the model as the ‘source of truth’, it is possible to specify welding detail within an Inventor model. This is fantastically useful as it is also then possible to pull this information onto a 2D drawing. In this illustrated guide to weldments, we will explore the processes of converting an assembly into a weldment, defining welding details, and pulling this information onto a 2D drawing.
Step 1: Converting an Assembly into a Weldment
![Convert to weldment](https://www.manandmachine.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2019/09/Weldments-in-Inventor-Image-1-1-1024x555.png)
![Convert to weldment confirmation](https://www.manandmachine.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2019/09/Weldments-in-Inventor-Image-2-1-1024x555.png)
![Convert to weldment options](https://www.manandmachine.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2019/09/Weldments-in-Inventor-Image-3-1-1024x555.png)
Step 2: Creating Welds and Specifying Weld Symbols
Part 2A: Weld Preparations
![Set weld preparations](https://www.manandmachine.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2019/09/Weldments-in-Inventor-Image-4-1-1024x555.png)
![Set weld preparations](https://www.manandmachine.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2019/09/Weldments-in-Inventor-Image-5-1-1024x555.png)
![Set weld preparations](https://www.manandmachine.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2019/09/Weldments-in-Inventor-Image-6-1-1024x555.png)
![Set weld preparations](https://www.manandmachine.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2019/09/Weldments-in-Inventor-Image-7-1-1024x555.png)
![Set weld preparations](https://www.manandmachine.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2019/09/Weldments-in-Inventor-Image-8-1-1024x555.png)
![Weld preparation successful](https://www.manandmachine.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2019/09/Weldments-in-Inventor-Image-9-1-1024x555.png)
Part 2B: Welds and Welding Symbols
![Adding welds and weld symbols](https://www.manandmachine.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2019/09/Weldments-in-Inventor-Image-10-1-1024x555.png)
![Adding welds and weld symbols](https://www.manandmachine.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2019/09/Weldments-in-Inventor-Image-11-1-1024x555.png)
![Adding welds and weld symbols](https://www.manandmachine.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2019/09/Weldments-in-Inventor-Image-12-1-1024x555.png)
![Adding welds and weld symbols](https://www.manandmachine.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2019/09/Weldments-in-Inventor-Image-13-1-1024x555.png)
![Adding welds and weld symbols](https://www.manandmachine.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2019/09/Weldments-in-Inventor-Image-14-1-1024x555.png)
![Adding welds and weld symbols](https://www.manandmachine.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2019/09/Weldments-in-Inventor-Image-15-1-1024x555.png)
Part 2B: Welds and Welding Symbols
![Sketch and modelling tools](https://www.manandmachine.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2019/09/Weldments-in-Inventor-Image-16-1-1024x555.png)
![Adding holes for machining](https://www.manandmachine.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2019/09/Weldments-in-Inventor-Image-17-1-1024x555.png)
![Adding holes for machining](https://www.manandmachine.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2019/09/Weldments-in-Inventor-Image-18-1-1024x555.png)
![Adding holes for machining](https://www.manandmachine.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2019/09/Weldments-in-Inventor-Image-19-1-1024x555.png)
Bonus: Weld Calculations
![Welding Calculator](https://www.manandmachine.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2019/09/Weldments-in-Inventor-Image-20-1-1024x555.png)
Step 3: Detailing Welds on Drawings
![Welds and machining details hidden](https://www.manandmachine.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2019/09/Weldments-in-Inventor-Image-21-1-1024x555.png)
![Welds visible and machining details hidden](https://www.manandmachine.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2019/09/Weldments-in-Inventor-Image-22-1-1024x555.png)
![Welds and machining details visible](https://www.manandmachine.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2019/09/Weldments-in-Inventor-Image-23-1-1024x555.png)
![Welding symbols from the model](https://www.manandmachine.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2019/09/Weldments-in-Inventor-Image-24-1-1024x555.png)
![Full Weldment Details on Drawing](https://www.manandmachine.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2019/09/Weldments-in-Inventor-Image-25-1-1024x555.png)
Conclusion
From this guide, you have seen how to define weldments in Inventor, and detail them in drawings. Through an excellent architecture, Autodesk have been successful in keeping the model as the source of truth. If you are interested in learning more, please don’t hesitate to contact Man and Machine. Our qualified engineers will have you an expert in all things Inventor in no time!
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