Making Sheet Metal Parts In Solidworks

Solidworks includes sheet metal specific features so you can create a part as sheet metal without having to convert it to sheet metal.

Making sheet metal parts in solidworks.

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. In this week s video tech tip we take an in depth look to one of the sheet metal features. You can adjust the size of the drawing view under scale by selecting use custom scale and typing a value.

Click convert to sheet metal sheet metal toolbar or insert sheet metal convert to sheet metal. Sheet metal gauge bend tables store properties for a designated material. 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 the fixed face on the model.

Drawings of sheet metal parts can also contain views of the bent sheet metal part. The fixed face remains in place. These methods are explained through a truck bumper example. Learn three methods for creating sheet metal parts in solidworks and the pros and cons of each.

There are specific sheet metal features you can use to create sheet metal bodies quickly. 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. Sheet metal gauge bend table. 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. In the propertymanager under sheet metal gauges set options if you want to use a gauge table. Click insert bends or click insert sheet metal bends. Select use gauge table.

To convert a solid part to a sheet metal part. Designing a part with sheet metal specific features uses fewer features and editing tools and eliminates the use of the rollback bar. You can create a configuration in a sheet metal part that shows the flattened part. From the view palette drag the flat pattern to the drawing sheet.

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. In the propertymanager under bend parameters.