Creating Sheet Metal Parts In Solidworks

Create the solid part.

Creating sheet metal parts in solidworks.

There are specific sheet metal features you can use to create sheet metal bodies quickly. Insert one or more sheet metal weldment or other bodies into an existing sheet metal part. 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. Sketch an open contour arc.

Click insert bends or click insert sheet metal bends. To convert a solid part to a sheet metal part. In the propertymanager under bend parameters. The arc can also be tangent to a line.

If creating a sheet metal part with one or more conical faces you must select k factor as the type of bend allowance. The fixed face remains in place when the part is flattened. Create a part by sketching the part profile then extruding a thin feature part. Click make drawing from part assembly standard toolbar and click ok to open the drawing sheet.

Select the fixed face on the model. The name of the face is displayed in the fixed face or edge box. In select table select a gauge table to use or click browse and browse to a gauge table. To create a drawing of a flat pattern.

Select a format or click ok to use the default format. Select use gauge table. Open the sheet metal part for which you want to add a drawing. Alternatively you can add your part to a drawing you will find that you can select the flat pattern in the configurations drop down then add any information like grade of steel and quantity and save as a dxf.

Split a single sheet metal part into multiple bodies. To create a sheet metal part with cylindrical faces. Click convert to sheet metal sheet metal toolbar or insert sheet metal convert to sheet metal. To create a multibody sheet metal part.

If you selected k factor bend allowance or bend deduction enter a value.