Tips & Tricks: Setting Up a Fillet-Type Weld with a Notch

Not only does PTC Creo Parametric allow you to configure multiple weld types (including fillet, groove, butt, plug/slot, and spot welds). But, you can also easily define welding-related features like notches.

In fact, with just a few clicks, you can define a cut that enables welds to cross model components without interruption. Keep reading to learn how easy it is to set up a fillet-type weld with a notch.

Image: Burning Wish by Tomas Jaramillo via Flickr

Step 1: Setup

Follow these steps to get started.

1. Once you have an existing assembly open, on the Applications tab, click Welding.
2. Configure the Model Tree to show features and suppressed objects. To do this, click the Settings icon (which displays as tools) and then click Tree Filters. The Model Tree Items dialog box opens (as shown below).

Use this dialog box to show features and suppressed objects in the Model Tree.

3. On the left side of the Model Tree Items dialog box, select the Features and Suppressed Objects check boxes, and then click OK. Features are now listed in the Model Tree.
4. Right-click the welding rod name and click Edit Definition. The Weld Materials dialog box opens. This dialog box shows the defined rod parameters.

Step 2: Create the weld and notch

Complete these steps to create a fillet-type weld and a notch.

1. Click Weld Wizard. The Weld Definition dialog opens.
2. On the Weld Definition dialog,

• In the Feature frame, ensure the Notch check box is selected.
• In the Weld Feature frame, select the Fillet icon.
• In the Notch Feature frame, select the Round corner notch button.

3. Click OK. The Fillet Weld ribbon bar tab opens, as shown below.

4. On your assembly, select the first reference for the fillet-type weld.
5. Select the Location tab (shown below) in the fillet weld dashboard.

6. Click in the Side 2 collector to activate it, and then press the Ctrl key and select the outer surfaces of the model.
7. From the Welding ribbon bar menu, click the Apply button (green check mark). The fillet weld feature is created.

The newly created fillet weld feature is shown in orange.

Step 3: Applying notches

Since the Notch check box was selected before the weld definition was created, the Intersected Components dialog box opens automatically.

1. On the dialog box, click the AutoAdd button. Gussets are automatically added to a list on the dialog.
2. Click OK.
3. All other elements were already defined on the Assembly Weld Notch dialog box, so, click OK on that dialog box.
4. The Weld Definition dialog box re-opens, prompting you to create another weld feature. Click Cancel if you don’t want to create another feature.

Step 4: Compare notch geometry to the weld

Examine the notch that was created for the fillet-type weld. As in the example below, if you find that the notch is not the correct profile for the weld, follow the instructions in this section to edit the definition of the assembly weld notch.

The notch profile currently intersects the weld.

1. From the Model Tree, left-click the weld notch definition and select Edit Definition from the pop-up menu. The Assembly Weld Notch dialog box opens.
2. On the dialog box, select the Trajectory element, and click Define. The Menu Manager dialog box opens. 
3. On the Menu Manager dialog box, click the Select Trajectory option.
4. Change the view to Hidden Line. Then, on your model, select the edges of the surfaces that touch the weld (in our example, you’d select the bottom edge of the tube on both sides of the gusset).
5. Click Done on the Menu Manager dialog box.
6. Change the view to Shading. Then, click OK on the Assembly Weld Notch dialog box. The notch profile is now correct and does not intersect the weld, as shown below.

The notch definition is now correct and the notch profile does not intersect the weld.

To see an overview of welding UI and a demonstration of these steps, register for (free) Learning Exchange credentials, and then watch this video.

To learn more, read the PTC Creo Help Center page, Weld Feature.

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