Creating Sheet Metal Parts In Solidworks

The name of the face is displayed in the fixed face or edge box.

Creating sheet metal parts in solidworks.

The fixed face remains in place when the part is flattened. Open the sheet metal part for which you want to add a drawing. To create a sheet metal part with cylindrical faces. To create a drawing of a flat pattern.

Select a format or click ok to use the default format. In the propertymanager under bend parameters. Create the solid part. To create a multibody sheet metal part.

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. 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. Select use gauge table. To convert a solid part to a sheet metal part.

There are specific sheet metal features you can use to create sheet metal bodies quickly. Create new bodies in an existing sheet metal part using base flange convert to sheet metal insert bends and lofted bend commands. Single open contours can be used for extrudes revolves sections paths guides and sheet metal. Sketch an open contour arc.

Click convert to sheet metal sheet metal toolbar or insert sheet metal convert to sheet metal. Click insert bends or click insert sheet metal bends. If creating a sheet metal part with one or more conical faces you must select k factor as the type of bend allowance. Insert one or more sheet metal weldment or other bodies into an existing sheet metal part.

In select table select a gauge table to use or click browse and browse to a gauge table. Split a single sheet metal part into multiple bodies. Select the fixed face on the model. Click make drawing from part assembly standard toolbar and click ok to open the drawing sheet.

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.