How to Add Weld Beads in a SOLIDWORKS Assembly

Weld beads in SOLIDWORKS assemblies help communicate welded joints, weld size, and weld location. They are useful for fabrication models, drawings, and assemblies where weld information needs to be visible without modeling every bead as detailed geometry.

Prepare the welded assembly

Before adding weld beads, make sure the parts are positioned correctly. Weld information is only useful if the mating parts, gaps, overlaps, and joint locations represent the intended fabrication condition.

Check whether the weld belongs in an assembly, weldment part, or drawing annotation. The best location depends on how the project documents fabrication.

For many fabrication workflows, the drawing weld symbol is the controlling instruction. The model bead can support the drawing, but it should not create conflicting information.

Add the weld bead

Use the weld bead command and select the edges or faces where the weld should appear. Set weld size, length, side, and other options according to the joint requirement.

Use meaningful selections. If the selected edge does not match the real weld location, the model and drawing may communicate the wrong fabrication instruction.

Zoom in before accepting the bead. In a crowded assembly, it is easy to select a nearby edge or a hidden edge that does not represent the intended joint.

Choose weld size and type

Weld size and type should come from engineering requirements, standards, or fabrication practice. Do not choose a bead size only because it looks right in the model.

For critical welds, confirm strength, accessibility, inspection, and heat distortion considerations before release.

Also consider whether the weld is continuous, intermittent, field-welded, or shop-welded. Those details may belong in the weld symbol or drawing notes.

Show welds in drawings

After adding weld beads, check the drawing. Weld symbols, notes, cut lists, and model items may need to be inserted or adjusted so the fabrication information is clear.

The drawing should tell the fabricator what weld is required, where it is located, and any inspection or finishing notes that apply.

If model items are imported into the drawing, review them carefully. Automatically inserted annotations still need to be placed, formatted, and checked for clarity.

Keep weld information organized

Name important weld features and keep related notes consistent. Large welded assemblies can become difficult to review if weld information is scattered or unclear.

If multiple welds share the same size and type, use consistent annotations and avoid duplicating conflicting information in the model and drawing.

For large assemblies, group weld information logically by subassembly or fabrication step. This helps fabricators understand the sequence instead of hunting through scattered notes.

Troubleshooting

If a weld bead does not display, check visibility settings, selected geometry, and drawing display options. If the weld symbol is unclear, edit the annotation rather than relying only on the model bead.

Before release, review the assembly and drawing together. Weld beads should support the fabrication instructions, not replace clear weld symbols, notes, and standards.

For structural or safety-related welds, confirm weld design with the appropriate engineering standard and qualified review.

Before release, check that weld beads do not hide fit-up problems. The parts still need proper contact, gap control, and access for real welding.

Use weld beads consistently with the project drawing standard. If the company standard requires weld symbols on drawings, do not rely on a visual bead alone to communicate size, length, contour, or process.

For assemblies with many welds, review visibility and performance. Detailed weld display can make a large model harder to work with, so use the level of detail that supports documentation without slowing the assembly unnecessarily.

If weld information changes, update the model, drawing symbols, notes, and any fabrication list together. Conflicting weld data is worse than no model bead because it creates uncertainty for the shop.

When reviewing a welded assembly, compare the bead locations with the real joint access. A weld that is easy to place in CAD may still be difficult to reach with a torch, fixture, or inspection tool.