Making Sheet Metal Parts In Solidworks

In this week s video tech tip we take an in depth look to one of the sheet metal features.

Making sheet metal parts in solidworks.

However in some circumstances when the design requires certain types of geometry you can use non sheet metal feature tools then insert bends or convert the part to sheet metal. Creating sheet metal flat pattern configurations. Learn three methods for creating sheet metal parts in solidworks and the pros and cons of each. Create the solid part.

From the view palette drag the flat pattern to the drawing sheet. You can adjust the size of the drawing view under scale by selecting use custom scale and typing a value. Create a part by sketching the part profile then extruding a thin feature part. Select the fixed face on the model.

Click insert bends or click insert sheet metal bends. Solidworks includes sheet metal specific features so you can create a part as sheet metal without having to convert it to sheet metal. The sheet metal specific features make it easier and faster to create a sheet metal part than designing a part then converting it to sheet metal. You can create a configuration in a sheet metal part that shows the flattened part.

Click make drawing from part assembly standard toolbar and click ok to open the drawing sheet. To create a sheet metal part with sharp bends. Select use gauge table. These methods are explained through a truck bumper example.

Sheet metal gauge bend tables store properties for a designated material. In the propertymanager under sheet metal gauges set options if you want to use a gauge table. Designing a part with sheet metal specific features uses fewer features and editing tools and eliminates the use of the rollback bar. Open the sheet metal part for which you want to add a drawing.

Drawings of sheet metal parts can also contain views of the bent sheet metal part. Click convert to sheet metal sheet metal toolbar or insert sheet metal convert to sheet metal. Sheet metal parts in solidworks are easy to make thanks to the powerful set of tools that enable users to model just about everything they can think of. To convert a solid part to a sheet metal part.

Sheet metal gauge bend table. The fixed face remains in place.