Tutorials

Ever cut yourself on the sharp metal edge of something? It’s annoying and can hurt really bad, luckily there is a feature that can be designed into your components to alleviate this problem. The Hem feature is an easy way to design out dangerous edges while also giving the vulnerable edge some much needed sturdiness. […]

No, Solidworks is not testing your ability to pitch a softball. The K-Factor for sheet metal is a variable used to define the neutral axis of bent material. A bend creates two types of stress on a material. Compression on the inside of the curve (creating a shorter inside distance) and tension on the outside

Bend deduction is used to calculate the exact dimensions of bends in sheet metal. This value is directly related to the material being used. It can be specified for an entire part using the “Sheet-Metal” feature. The value can also be changed on a per bend basis by editing the values of a specific bend.This

Bend allowance is used to calculate the exact dimensions of bends in sheet metal. This value is directly related to the material being used. It can be specified for an entire part using the “Sheet-Metal” feature. The value can also be changed on a per bend basis by editing the values of a specific bend.

Studying for this portion of the CSWP test is mostly conceptual. The options available here are only have subtle differences but in manufacture they can have a significant impact. Bend Allowance:Using a bend allowance the flat part will be longer than the distance of each flange combined. Bend Deduction:Using a bend deduction the flat part

One of the best and worst parts about sheet metal design is that it is limiting. Just because something can be designed on a computer screen does not mean that it can actually be made, at least not economically. However, the up side to this is that once you know what can be done, so

After establishing the basic functions of sheet metal modeling (flanges) it’s time to start putting some more detail into our models. The first place to look is going to be the “Corner” features. When the sheet metal toolbar is present this icon actually represents 3 options: Closed Corner: Saying this feature is “more detailed” is

A miter flange is another one of the simple features used in sheet metal modeling. A miter is a joint in wood working or sheet metal and refers primarily to how a corner will match. This is shown right away in the icon used: As with most solidworks features though it can be used for

A curved edge flange is very similar to the Linear edge flange. Select an edge, or multiple edges, and enter some values. Here though you are a bit more limited in the geometry of in “Edit Flange Profile.” The profile sketch is only allowed to contain the flange edge and the profile of the flange.

Edge flanges are easy ways to create walls with sheet metal. Select an edge flange from the “Insert>Sheet Metal>Edge Flange”. So it’s easy enough to start a linear edge flange, but how do you know what to make? First let’s look at the call out used on drawings. Drawings for sheet metal parts are needed