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How to place several caterpillars along one edge in specific places

Question asked by Michal Lamentowicz on Aug 14, 2020
Latest reply on Nov 16, 2020 by Michal Lamentowicz

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Intermittent option is not enough as I need beads in specific places.

The three big plates go under the top hatch. I would like to place caterpillars as marked with red lines.

Jim Sculley Aug 18, 2020 11:29 AM

Correct Answer

Here are 3 partial intermittent caterpillars on the same edge, with no split lines:

You do have to fiddle a bit to get SOLIDWORKS to allow you to do this, but it isn't difficult.

Place your first caterpillar as partial intermittent. Drag the ends to where you want them. If one end of the caterpillar lies at the end of the edge, drag it away from there temporarily to make adjusting the subsequent beads easier. Click 'OK' to finish the caterpillar.
Switch to 'Full length'. Select the edge again. SOLIDWORKS should place a caterpillar. If it doesn't' and warns about the edge already having a bead, click the edge again. If SOLIDWORKS still complains, click the edge at a point further away. If it still refuses, switch to 'Partial' and click the edge again (in a few places if needed).
Once the caterpillar is placed, if it was 'Full length', switch to 'Partial' and drag ends to where you want them.
Repeat steps 2 and 3 for remaining beads.

Sometimes, switching to 'Full length' isn't required. You just have to play around with it until it places the bead.

I observed the same behavior with SW2017 SP5 and SW 2020 SP4.

See the reply in context

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Wayne Matus Aug 14, 2020 11:01 AM

Try using split line to split the large face into multiple faces and then create three intermittent weld beads.

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Michal Lamentowicz @ Wayne Matus on Aug 18, 2020 9:06 AM

In this case caterpillar is created basing on top continuous edge. I could make split lines and hide them. I'll try. However it is very inconvenient to do that this way.

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Wayne Matus @ Michal Lamentowicz on Aug 18, 2020 9:26 AM

Welcome to SOLIDWORKS World!

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J. Mather @ Michal Lamentowicz on Aug 18, 2020 11:34 AM

Michal Lamentowicz wrote:
However it is very inconvenient to do that this way.

You could be out on the shop floor (or some unbearable cold or hot field site) laying the beads down manually.

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Michal Lamentowicz @ J. Mather on Nov 16, 2020 9:06 AM

Well...this part may be rotated and top weld become bottom.

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Jim Sculley Aug 14, 2020 11:12 AM

If you make the caterpillar partial length instead of full length, you can drag the ends to wherever you want.

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Michal Lamentowicz @ Jim Sculley on Aug 18, 2020 9:04 AM

Yes. But one only can make one partial caterpillar per edge.

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Jim Sculley @ Michal Lamentowicz on Aug 18, 2020 11:29 AM

Here are 3 partial intermittent caterpillars on the same edge, with no split lines:

You do have to fiddle a bit to get SOLIDWORKS to allow you to do this, but it isn't difficult.

Place your first caterpillar as partial intermittent. Drag the ends to where you want them. If one end of the caterpillar lies at the end of the edge, drag it away from there temporarily to make adjusting the subsequent beads easier. Click 'OK' to finish the caterpillar.
Switch to 'Full length'. Select the edge again. SOLIDWORKS should place a caterpillar. If it doesn't' and warns about the edge already having a bead, click the edge again. If SOLIDWORKS still complains, click the edge at a point further away. If it still refuses, switch to 'Partial' and click the edge again (in a few places if needed).
Once the caterpillar is placed, if it was 'Full length', switch to 'Partial' and drag ends to where you want them.
Repeat steps 2 and 3 for remaining beads.

Sometimes, switching to 'Full length' isn't required. You just have to play around with it until it places the bead.

I observed the same behavior with SW2017 SP5 and SW 2020 SP4.

Actions

8 Replies

Wayne Matus Aug 14, 2020 11:01 AM
Mark Correct
Correct Answer
Try using split line to split the large face into multiple faces and then create three intermittent weld beads.
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- Michal Lamentowicz @ Wayne Matus on Aug 18, 2020 9:06 AM
  Mark Correct
  Correct Answer
  In this case caterpillar is created basing on top continuous edge. I could make split lines and hide them. I'll try. However it is very inconvenient to do that this way.
  Like • Show 0 Likes0
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  - Wayne Matus @ Michal Lamentowicz on Aug 18, 2020 9:26 AM
    Mark Correct
    Correct Answer
    Welcome to SOLIDWORKS World!
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  - J. Mather @ Michal Lamentowicz on Aug 18, 2020 11:34 AM
    Mark Correct
    Correct Answer
    Michal Lamentowicz wrote:
    However it is very inconvenient to do that this way.
    You could be out on the shop floor (or some unbearable cold or hot field site) laying the beads down manually.
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    - Michal Lamentowicz @ J. Mather on Nov 16, 2020 9:06 AM
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      Correct Answer
      Well...this part may be rotated and top weld become bottom.
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Jim Sculley Aug 14, 2020 11:12 AM
Mark Correct
Correct Answer
If you make the caterpillar partial length instead of full length, you can drag the ends to wherever you want.
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- Michal Lamentowicz @ Jim Sculley on Aug 18, 2020 9:04 AM
  Mark Correct
  Correct Answer
  Yes. But one only can make one partial caterpillar per edge.
  Like • Show 0 Likes0
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  - Jim Sculley @ Michal Lamentowicz on Aug 18, 2020 11:29 AM
    Unmark Correct
    Correct Answer
    Here are 3 partial intermittent caterpillars on the same edge, with no split lines:
    
    You do have to fiddle a bit to get SOLIDWORKS to allow you to do this, but it isn't difficult.
    
    Place your first caterpillar as partial intermittent. Drag the ends to where you want them. If one end of the caterpillar lies at the end of the edge, drag it away from there temporarily to make adjusting the subsequent beads easier. Click 'OK' to finish the caterpillar.
    Switch to 'Full length'. Select the edge again. SOLIDWORKS should place a caterpillar. If it doesn't' and warns about the edge already having a bead, click the edge again. If SOLIDWORKS still complains, click the edge at a point further away. If it still refuses, switch to 'Partial' and click the edge again (in a few places if needed).
    Once the caterpillar is placed, if it was 'Full length', switch to 'Partial' and drag ends to where you want them.
    Repeat steps 2 and 3 for remaining beads.
    
    Sometimes, switching to 'Full length' isn't required. You just have to play around with it until it places the bead.
    
    I observed the same behavior with SW2017 SP5 and SW 2020 SP4.
    Like • Show 5 Likes5
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How to place several caterpillars along one edge in specific places

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