How To Work With Sheet Metal In Solidworks

In the propertymanager under sheet metal gauges set options if you want to use a gauge table.

How to work with sheet metal in solidworks.

Sheet metal parameters in the bend allowance section we can select how solidworks determines where the neutral axis is the flat pattern calculation. By choosing bend table or bend calculation an excel document can be used. Multibody sheet metal parts. Drawing a simple profile and using the base flange tab tool will open up the options that can be used.

The real power of solidworks comes when you have to design bent sheet metal a task which looks simple but really isn t. By choosing k factor bend allowance or bend deduction from the pull down menu a specific value can be entered. That means you need a contour of the sheet metal to be cut known as a flat pattern. 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.

Solidworks sheet metal tutorial step 1. Click on the sheet. Right click on the toolbar and activate sheet metal. Create the solid part.

Using forming tools with sheet metal. Select use gauge table. First create a new part. Solidworks multibody part functionality lets you work with several bodies in one part to create.

Before any bending you have to cut the sheet metal. Click on the top plane and then create a new sketch. Click convert to sheet metal sheet metal toolbar or insert sheet metal convert to sheet metal.