Creating Sheet Metal Parts In Solidworks

Create a part by sketching the part profile then extruding a thin feature part.

Creating sheet metal parts in solidworks.

The name of the face is displayed in the fixed face or edge box. Open the sheet metal part for which you want to add a drawing. Select the fixed face on the model. To create a drawing of a flat pattern.

There are specific sheet metal features you can use to create sheet metal bodies quickly. To create a sheet metal part with cylindrical faces. In the propertymanager under bend parameters. Click convert to sheet metal sheet metal toolbar or insert sheet metal convert to sheet metal.

Insert one or more sheet metal weldment or other bodies into an existing sheet metal part. If creating a sheet metal part with one or more conical faces you must select k factor as the type of bend allowance. Select use gauge table. Create the solid part.

The arc can also be tangent to a line. Sketch an open contour arc. In select table select a gauge table to use or click browse and browse to a gauge table. Single open contours can be used for extrudes revolves sections paths guides and sheet metal.

If you selected k factor bend allowance or bend deduction enter a value. The fixed face remains in place when the part is flattened. 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. Select a format or click ok to use the default format.

To convert a solid part to a 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. To create a multibody sheet metal part. Split a single sheet metal part into multiple bodies.

Solidworks has a great feature if you right click on any flat surface and select export to dxf dwg you can save the flat pattern to be imported into cam nesting software for cnc cutting.