Creating Sheet Metal Parts In Solidworks

Select a format or click ok to use the default format.

Creating sheet metal parts in solidworks.

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. To create a sheet metal part with cylindrical faces. There are specific sheet metal features you can use to create sheet metal bodies quickly.

Create the solid part. Single open contours can be used for extrudes revolves sections paths guides and sheet metal. Open the sheet metal part for which you want to add a drawing. If creating a sheet metal part with one or more conical faces you must select k factor as the type of bend allowance.

To create a multibody sheet metal part. Insert one or more sheet metal weldment or other bodies into an existing sheet metal part. Split a single sheet metal part into multiple bodies. The name of the face is displayed in the fixed face or edge box.

If you selected k factor bend allowance or bend deduction enter a value. Click convert to sheet metal sheet metal toolbar or insert sheet metal convert to sheet metal. Click make drawing from part assembly standard toolbar and click ok to open the drawing sheet. Select the fixed face on the model.

Sketch an open contour arc. Click insert bends or click insert sheet metal bends. To convert a solid part to a sheet metal part. 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 use gauge table. The fixed face remains in place when the part is flattened. 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. In the propertymanager under bend parameters.

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.