Spot Welds

Spot welds connect parts together by welding them at specific locations.

You can apply spot welds by:
  • Clicking a location on the model where multiple parts are in close proximity (based on the search distance)
  • Selecting points on an Inspire or CAD model
  • Importing points from a .csv file, where spot welds will be created automatically

Click the satellite icon that appears when you hover over the Spot Welds tool to view a list of all spot welds.

Note:
  • When parts are spot welded together, the contacts between the surfaces are converted from Bonded to Contacting.
  • Spot welds can be applied to either surfaces or solids. Use the SimSolid solver for solids and the OptiStruct solver for surfaces. SimSolid only supports 2T welds. The solver can be set in the Preferences under Inspire > Run Options > Analysis solver.

Creating Spot Welds

Select the tool, then click on the model to create a spot weld.

  1. On the Structures ribbon, select the Spot Welds tool.
  2. Define where to place the spot welds by doing one of the following:
    • selecting imprinted points
    • clicking any location on the weld part
    • importing points from a .csv file, where spot welds will be created automatically:
      1. First, create a .csv file following the template.
        1. Click the satellite icon on the Spot Welds tool to display the table.
        2. Click the Import icon.
        3. Browse to the .csv file.
  3. Optional: Click Parts on the guide bar, then select a part to add or remove it from any selected spot welds. The legend indicates how many parts are included in the weld. (Only 2T is available for solid-to-solid welds.)
  4. Right-click and mouse through the check mark to exit, or double-right-click.
Tip:
  • If Parts is selected on the guide bar and there are no spot welds selected, when you select a part, it will remove the part from all spot welds in the model.
  • Spot welds can be organized into groups using the Spot Welds table or the Model Browser. Once created, you can move them between groups, but each spot weld can only be in one group.
  • If you create a part that contains only points, then select this part in the Model Browser with the Spot Welds tool open; it will create spot welds at all of the points.

Microdialog Options

Use the options in the microdialog to modify the spot weld once it is created.

  • Move Weld: Move the selected spot welds using the Move tool. This only works on planar geometry.
  • Weld Diameter: Enter a diameter in the text box. Applies to all selected spot welds.

Search Distance

The search distance determines which parts will be included in the spot weld.

Click the Find Options menu on the guide bar to change the Search Distance.



The starting point for the search distance is the selected point or location where the spot weld was created. For points at a distance, the point projected onto the nearest part is used as the starting location.

Spot Welds Table

The Spot Welds table lists all of the spot welds in your model. It can be used to change the weld diameter and assigned material or to import/export designated spot weld points in .csv format.

You can also use the table to create and organize spots welds into weld groups. Click the satellite icon on the Spot Welds tool to display the table.



Figure 1. Spot Welds Table

The table data can be edited with the following actions:

To Do this
Rename a spot weld Select the cell in the table and then click again to make the field editable.
Change the material Select the cell in the table and then select a different option from the list.
Sort a column Click the column header. Click repeatedly to toggle between ascending and descending order.
Add or remove columns Right-click on a column header.
Create a spot weld group Click the icon.
Move a spot weld to a different group Select the check box next to the spot weld, then right-click and select Move to... from the context menu.
Import points where spot welds will be created automatically First, create a .csv file following the template.
  1. Click the Import icon.
  2. Browse to the .csv file.
Export points where spot welds are located in the model
  1. Click the Export icon.
  2. Browse to the desired location.
  3. Select .csv format.
  4. Enter the file name.

Sample CSV File

When creating a .csv file for importing points for spot welds, use this sample as a template.

Note: The .csv file is units aware. You can create spot weld groups to organize them.

Altair Inspire 20xx build xxxxx

unit: MKS ( m kg N s) [ Length: m ]

Spot Welds

Group Name,Name,X-Pos,Y_Pos,Z_Pos,Layers,Diameter

62110,Spot Weld 2735,-0.520911,3.583000,0.208003,2T,0.006000

62110,Spot Weld 2736,-0.520911,3.557000,0.208003,2T,0.00600

Mouse Controls and Keyboard Shortcuts

To Do this
Select multiple points Hold down the Ctrl key and left-click, or use box selection to create welds at all selected points.
Select surface parts to include Hold down the Ctrl key and left-click a part to add it to or remove it from the spot weld.
Deselect all spot welds Left-click on an empty space in the modeling window.
Delete a spot weld Select a spot weld and press Delete.
Exit the tool Right-click and mouse through the check mark to exit, or double-right-click.