How To Work With Sheet Metal In Solidworks

First create a new part.

How to work with sheet metal in solidworks.

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. By choosing k factor bend allowance or bend deduction from the pull down menu a specific value can be entered. By choosing bend table or bend calculation an excel document can be used. Click on the sheet.

Click on the top plane and then create a new sketch. Solidworks sheet metal tutorial step 1. To convert a solid part to a sheet metal part. 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.

That means you need a contour of the sheet metal to be cut known as a flat pattern. Now sketch and use smart dimension to give a dimension to the design. Click convert to sheet metal sheet metal toolbar or insert sheet metal convert to sheet metal. In the propertymanager under sheet metal gauges set options if you want to use a gauge table.

The real power of solidworks comes when you have to design bent sheet metal a task which looks simple but really isn t. Using forming tools with sheet metal. Create the solid part. Before any bending you have to cut the sheet metal.

Sheet metal parameters in the bend allowance section we can select how solidworks determines where the neutral axis is the flat pattern calculation. Solidworks multibody part functionality lets you work with several bodies in one part to create. Select use gauge table.