Making Sheet Metal Parts In Solidworks

Select use gauge table.

Making sheet metal parts in solidworks.

Select the fixed face on the model. 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. Click insert bends or click insert sheet metal bends. In the propertymanager under sheet metal gauges set options if you want to use a gauge table.

Sheet metal gauge bend table. Drawings of sheet metal parts can also contain views of the bent sheet metal part. 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. Select a format or click ok to use the default format.

Create a part by sketching the part profile then extruding a thin feature part. To create a sheet metal part with sharp bends. You can adjust the size of the drawing view under scale by selecting use custom scale and typing a value. From the view palette drag the flat pattern to the drawing sheet.

Solidworks includes sheet metal specific features so you can create a part as sheet metal without having to convert it to sheet metal. Create the solid part. These methods are explained through a truck bumper example. To convert a solid part to a sheet metal part.

There are specific sheet metal features you can use to create sheet metal bodies quickly. Sheet metal gauge bend tables store properties for a designated material. Click convert to sheet metal sheet metal toolbar or insert sheet metal convert to sheet metal. Open the sheet metal part for which you want to add a drawing.

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. Click make drawing from part assembly standard toolbar and click ok to open the drawing sheet. The fixed face remains in place. In this week s video tech tip we take an in depth look to one of the sheet metal features.

Designing a part with sheet metal specific features uses fewer features and editing tools and eliminates the use of the rollback bar. Creating sheet metal flat pattern configurations.