Virtual Welds

To cost welds that have not been defined in the CAD model, aPriori allows users to create virtual welds. Once created, these virtual welds can be copied into other assemblies with substantially similar geometry (such as an assembly that has been created due to a modification or part number change. When defining a weld as a virtual weld:

• A weld created in aPriori is associated with a reference or set of references (edges or datum curves) in the CAD model. By default, the total length of the weld is determined from the reference length. In this case, the total length is dynamic; if the CAD model reference length changes, so will the total length of the weld. You can also override the total length of the weld and specify a different value. In this case, the total length is not dynamic.

• You can specify the type of weld (for example, fillet or square groove) and the production mechanism (that is, manual or robotic).

• In most cases (except for spot welds), you can specify the weld width and depth.

• You can also specify whether the weld is intermittent or continuous. If the weld is intermittent, you can specify the segment length and the pitch. The number of segments is computed based on the total length, pitch, and segment length.

You work with virtual welds through the Component Viewer. For more information about how to create, copy, edit, and delete virtual welds, see Using the Component Viewer tools and commands in the User Guide chapter Using aPriori Desktop.