Using Forming Tools

Forming Tools are shaped tools, known as dies, that are pressed into flat sheets under high pressure, leaving an indentation behind. Some Forming Tools can even create cuts within the sheet, as well as shaped impressions. Examples of these shapes include things such as dimples, louvers (shaped vents), and even logos and text. You can see some examples of shapes created using forming tools in Figure 10.1:

Figure 10.1: Examples of shapes created using forming tools

The SolidWorks Design Library includes many premade Forming Tools that can easily be used when working with Sheet Metal models. Because these tools are available in a fairly limited range of shapes and sizes, they may not be that useful for your needs, but they can be modified; the later sections in this chapter will show how to do this, as well as how to create entirely Custom Forming Tools.

To demonstrate the use of Forming Tools first we will make a simple Sheet Metal part...