How To Work With Sheet Metal In Solidworks

The real power of solidworks comes when you have to design bent sheet metal a task which looks simple but really isn t.

How to work with sheet metal in solidworks.

Select use gauge table. Using forming tools with sheet metal. Now sketch and use smart dimension to give a dimension to the design. Sheet metal parameters in the bend allowance section we can select how solidworks determines where the neutral axis is the flat pattern calculation.

Click convert to sheet metal sheet metal toolbar or insert sheet metal convert to sheet metal. Forming tools are parts that act as dies that bend stretch or otherwise form sheet metal to create form features such as louvers lances flanges and ribs. A common favorite is sketching out the profile and using the base flange tab tool see figure 2 that is usually located first on the sheet metal ribbon. Before any bending you have to cut the sheet metal.

Click on the top plane and then create a new sketch. Solidworks sheet metal tutorial step 1. By choosing k factor bend allowance or bend deduction from the pull down menu a specific value can be entered. To convert a solid part to a sheet metal part.

In the propertymanager under sheet metal gauges set options if you want to use a gauge table. By choosing bend table or bend calculation an excel document can be used. First create a new part. Click on the sheet.

That means you need a contour of the sheet metal to be cut known as a flat pattern. Drawing a simple profile and using the base flange tab tool will open up the options that can be used. Right click on the toolbar and activate sheet metal.