Does anyone here use Solidworks to model steel structures?
Yes, we model decks, platforms, stairs, small weldments, large weldments, lifting fixtures, etc.
- Large or complex, i.e. a multi-story plant expansion including equipment?
At some point the level of detail involved in SW, and the resulting file sizes, can make it unwieldy and slow. I compare it to the old days when some designers would draw screw threads in AutoCAD - a pointless waste of time and computer resources. Modeling an entire manufacturing plant in SW is an attractive thought, but the practicality of producing and using such a behemoth soon overcomes the dream.
If yes to any of these, do you use the sections database or other add-ons?
Yes, we use the built in database. Be aware - the default SW installation only includes a few introductory profiles. You must install the full package to get full functionality. You can choose which standards you want in your Toolbox configuration.
Do you generate working drawings from the SWx model (either directly or via SAT, IGS etc to AutoCAD?)
Yes - directly. Why go to some other software to make drawings?
How about analytical functions in SWx, to assist engineering?
Yes. We aren't FEA experts (who is?) but we use the stress and deflection analysis features of SW on a regular basis to optimize our designs.
Comments would be appreciated from anyone that has tried any of these steps, thanks!
I work in a proprietary steel manufacturing plant. Our engineering department designs (or contracts the design of) all the equipment in the plant. We transitioned over from AutoCAD about four years ago. Even the old die hards are full-on believers now, often heard to say, "I could have never done that in AutoCAD.".
One the most powerful tools for us is the weldments tool. One must start slowly and easily when learning it, and expect to become VERY frustrated in the process. But like they say, Once you've got it, you've got it. And you'll never go back.
Several things I like about it are:
(1) non-engineers quickly understand design concepts when they can see them manipulated in 3D,
(2) the ability to show both the "as welded" and the "as machined" configurations in full detail,
(3) the ability to easily experiment with different element sizes and shapes on the fly,
(4) the ability to create custom profiles and libraries. (It comes with things like a Unistrut and 8020 library. I created a lumber library to model wooden structures.)
(5) modifying existing profiles or creating new ones is easy. (They're just 2D sketches with custom properties that are merged into your model when you use them.)
(6) the trimming, coping, and end cap tools work well.
(7) showing detailed views of individual pieces is easy with the "relative view" tool.
(8) to get good at weldments you have to learn about multi-body parts, and once you learn how the various other tools (mirroring, patterning, hole wizard, etc.) work with multi-body parts you tend to use multi-body parts much more often.
Some things I don't like:
(1) SW started a good thing with the automatic cut lists, but they dropped the ball half-way to the goal. Their cut lists are very useful, but can become very frustrating. You have to learn a lot about configurations to really use them well.
(2) adding external parts (like welded rod eyes or welded hex nuts) is not a huge challenge once you understand how to do it, but I think it is more complicated than it needs to be.
Overall, I wouldn't trade it for anything! Hope that helps.
![[pc2]](/data/assets/smilies/pc2.gif "[pc2] [pc2]")
