Book Image

Mastering SOLIDWORKS Sheet Metal

By : Johno Ellison
Book Image

Mastering SOLIDWORKS Sheet Metal

By: Johno Ellison

Overview of this book

SOLIDWORKS© is the premier software choice for 3D engineering and product design applications across a wide range of industries, and the Sheet Metal module forms an important part of this powerful program. This book will help you to understand exactly what Sheet Metal is, why it is used, and how you can make the most of this fundamental design feature. You’ll start by understanding the basic tools, including Base Flanges and Sketched Bends, before moving on to more complex features such as Custom Forming Tools and Lofted Bends. The book covers all the necessary tools in a step-by-step manner and shares practical manufacturing tips and tricks that will allow you to apply the skills that you learn to real-world situations. By the end of this SOLIDWORKS book, you’ll have understood how to make the best use of SOLIDWORKS Sheet Metal tools and be able to create a whole range of 3D models and designs confidently.
Table of Contents (18 chapters)
1
Section 1: Getting Started with the Sheet Metal Module
6
Section 2: Advanced Sheet Metal Tools
13
Section 3: Converting 3D Parts to Sheet Metal and Creating a Sheet Metal Enclosure

Swept Flange versus Miter Flange

Although Swept Flanges and Miter Flanges can appear very similar, one very important difference is that the corners of Swept Flanges are joined together continuously—that is, they are not mitered (trimmed in order to fit together). This means that there are no bend relief cuts in the corners (see Figure 5.3) and they are rounded.

Figure 5.3: The same part made using a Swept Flange (left) and a Miter Flange (right)

Figure 5.3: The same part made using a Swept Flange (left) and a Miter Flange (right)

The difference can be seen even more clearly in the flattened versions of both parts. The version made using the Swept Flange (shown on the left-hand side of Figure.5.4) has no cuts in the corners and so would have to be made using a process such as stamping and probably would require specialist tooling. By contrast, the Miter Flange version (shown on the right-hand side of Figure 5.4) has cut corners. These could be created using a generic tool such as a Press Brake and so would probably be easier and...