LogoSBeXpress

SBeXpress Module H

SBexpress - Welded Mesh

The Welded Mesh (H) module handles the design, detailing, and documentation of welded wire meshes in reinforced concrete structures, from standard sheets to custom configurations.

What problem does the Welded Mesh module solve?

In plain AutoCAD, welded mesh reinforcement is drawn as individual lines and hatches - there is no understanding of mesh sheets, overlaps, or coverage rules. Changing a mesh type means redrawing every affected sheet by hand.

  • Mesh contours are drawn as separate linework with no parametric link to the mesh type definition.
  • Overlaps and coverage zones are calculated manually - error-prone and time-consuming.
  • Mesh appearance (wire display, cross-outs, virtual colors) is not centralized; each sheet looks different.
  • Cutting optimization from stock sheets is done externally or not at all, wasting material.

How the Welded Mesh module changes the workflow

  • Mesh is a closed polyline (straight + arc segments) - fully editable after placement.
  • Predefined mesh sets from config files, extendable with manufacturer-specific types.
  • Mesh insertion with automatic coverage and overlap rules - no manual calculation.
  • Centralized mesh style system controlling contour, wires, cross-out display, virtual colors, linetypes, and layers.
  • Built-in cutting optimization table for optimal cutting from whole mesh sheets.

Scope / object families

The Welded Mesh module defines a set of objects that cover the full workflow from mesh selection to production output.

Mesh Sheet

A single mesh sheet defined as a closed polyline (straight and arc segments) with an assigned mesh type.

Supports rectangular and non-rectangular shapes, automatic coverage area, overlap zones

Bent Mesh

U-shaped, L-shaped, and open stirrup meshes, bendable in one direction at a time.

U, L, and open stirrup shapes; single-direction bends

Mesh Field

Groups identical meshes under a single label for efficient documentation.

Group identical meshes, single label, unified position number

Mesh Reference

Multiple view representations: longitudinal, transverse, plan view, manufacturing drawing, and phantom reference.

Longitudinal, transverse, plan, manufacturing drawing, phantom views

Mesh Style System

The mesh style system gives you centralized control over how every mesh sheet appears in the drawing.

  • Contour display with configurable line type, color, and layer
  • Wire display showing longitudinal and transverse wire patterns
  • Cross-out display at sheet corners with virtual colors
  • Layer assignment per display component (contour, wires, cross-out, labels)
  • Custom linetypes for different mesh representations

Mesh Types

  • • Predefined mesh sets from configuration file, covering standard reinforcement meshes
  • • Extendable with manufacturer-specific mesh types
  • • Custom mesh types with up to six wire groups per direction
  • • Perforated meshes and hooked wires supported in custom definitions
  • • Mesh properties panel: geometry, overlaps, mesh type, style, reinforcement layer

Workflows

Mesh Insertion

Insert mesh sheets with automatic coverage area calculation and overlap rules applied based on the selected mesh type.

Select mesh type, define contour polyline, automatic overlap generation

Polyline Conversion

Convert arbitrary polylines into mesh contours. Supports straight and arc segments for non-rectangular shapes.

Convert polylines to mesh, non-rectangular shapes, arc segment support

Mesh Editing

Edit mesh geometry, type, style, and reinforcement layer through the properties panel or direct grip editing.

Properties panel editing, grip editing, mesh type reassignment

Cutting Optimization

Generate optimal cutting layouts from whole mesh sheets to minimize waste. The optimization table shows placement and offcut for each sheet.

Automatic cutting optimization, waste minimization, cutting table output

Mesh References

Each mesh sheet can produce multiple reference views for different documentation purposes.

Longitudinal View

Shows the mesh from the long side with wire distribution and dimensions.

Transverse View

Cross-section view showing wire spacing and cover.

Plan View

Top-down view of the mesh sheet in its structural context.

Manufacturing Drawing

Production-ready drawing with all dimensions, bends, and wire callouts.

Phantom Reference

Ghost outline for referencing mesh position without full detail, used in assembly drawings.

Position Numbering and Mesh Table

Automatic position numbering with a mesh table that lists all mesh sheets in the project. Cutting optimization tables are available separately.

  • • Automatic position number assignment per mesh sheet or field
  • • Mesh table listing all sheets with type, dimensions, quantity, and weight
  • • Optional cutting optimization table for optimal sheet usage