What this book covers
Chapter 1, Sheet Metal Basics – Exploring Sheet Metal Properties and Material Selection, outlines the various uses of sheet metal and how it can be used in SolidWorks. You will learn how to start a Sheet Metal part using the different Base Flange types, and how the Sheet Metal properties can be set and modified. A basic overview of material selection is also provided.
Chapter 2, Adding Bends Using Edge Flanges, explains how to turn a flat Base Flange into a 3D part by adding Edge Flanges – one of the most common building blocks of Sheet Metal parts. This chapter also explores the Edge Flange properties in more detail, including Flange Profiles, the use of multiple edges, and other details.
Chapter 3, Getting Familiar with Basic Tools in Sheet Metal, explains how to add and remove material using basic Sheet Metal tools, including Tabs, Cuts and Holes. New flange types such as the Miter Flange and Hem are also explained, as well Sketched Bends, which can be used to add more unusual bend styles. Finally, the Jog feature is explained, both from a theoretical and a practical perspective.
Chapter 4, Creating Sheet Metal Drawings and Exporting Files, explains how to create 2D drawings, which are essential if parts are to be manufactured and used in the real world, and shows how to create these and how to insert Flat Patterns, based on Sheet Metal parts. It also explains the various ways in which Sheet Metal parts can be exported for use, such as DXF and DWG file types.
Chapter 5, Creating Complex Parts Using Swept Flanges and the Fold/Unfold Tools, explains how and why Swept Flanges can be used. These flanges are similar to Miter Flanges but each has a specific use case. It also covers the folding and unfolding operations. These are distinct from flattening and unflattening and can be used to make specific features, such as cuts across bends.
Chapter 6, Utilizing Gussets, Crossbreaks, and Vents to Add Part Details, explains each feature in turn – how to use them and why and where they might be used. Vents are another common feature in Sheet Metal parts and are used for a wide variety of reasons, including to add cooling and access ports.
Chapter 7, Producing Advanced Shapes Using Lofted Bends, covers Lofted Bends, which are an advanced form of bend that can be used to create more complex shapes than standard flange types. There are two types of Lofted Bend Formed and Bent – and this chapter covers both, including the major differences between the two.
Chapter 8, Joining Multi-Sheet Parts Using Tab and Slot Features, covers The Tab and Slot tool, which can be used to simplify the joining of two Sheet Metal sheets by creating Tab and Slot features on each. This chapter explains how to use the basic tool, and covers the many sub-options in more detail.
Chapter 9, Finishing Off Models Using Corner Details, explains how SolidWorks Sheet Metal contains a number of specific corner tools that can be used to create many types of corner join, including closing corner gaps between flanges, adding welded corners, trimming away sharp edges, and adding corner relief around bend areas.
Chapter 10, Adding 3D Details to Models with Forming Tools, explains how to use existing Forming Tools from the SolidWorks Design Library, as well as how to modify Forming Tools and how to create and use entirely Custom Forming Tools.
Chapter 11, Converting to Sheet Metal Using the Insert Bends Tool, covers how 3D models with a constant wall thickness, such as Shelled or Thin Feature parts can be converted into Sheet Metal parts by using the Insert Bends feature. This chapter shows how to use this option to create Sheet Metal parts.
Chapter 12, Building Sheet Metal Parts Using the Convert to Sheet Metal Tool, explains how the Convert to Sheet Metal tool can be used with 3D models that don't have a constant wall thickness. The tool is quite versatile and has a number of options that are explained in detail here.
Chapter 13, Practical Example: The Sheet Metal Enclosure, shows how to use various Sheet Metal techniques to create an example enclosure, while also providing handy tips and tricks for practical modeling.