Mastering SOLIDWORKS Sheet Metal

Johno Ellison

• Publisher: Packt Publishing
• Year: 2022
• ISBN:
  9781803240473
• Edition: 1
• Topic: Computer Science
• Subtopic: CAD-CAM
• Index: Computer Science

Unlock the power of the SOLIDWORKS 3D CAD Sheet Metal module by learning essential tools such as Lofted Bends and Hems, and discover real-world manufacturing tipsKey Features• Understand what Sheet Metal is and how you can use it with SOLIDWORKS software• Explore all of the Sheet Metal tools step by step, from simple edge flanges to complex forming tools• Learn the real-world manufacturing factors that can affect your designsBook DescriptionSOLIDWORKS© 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.What you will learn• Discover what Sheet Metal can be used for and how you can benefit from this skillset• Create Sheet Metal parts, both from scratch and by converting existing 3D parts• Select different Sheet Metal tools to be used in different situations• Produce advanced shapes using Lofted Bends• Relate the Sheet Metal techniques in the book to real-world manufacturing and design, including material selection and manufacturing limitations• Practice Sheet Metal techniques using real-world examplesWho this book is forThis book is for existing SOLIDWORKS software users looking to expand their skillset and specialize in Sheet Metal design, including engineers who want to upskill or modeling enthusiasts looking to improve their skills and knowledge. The book will be especially useful for junior engineers and designers who are already familiar with general Solid modeling and want to learn extra computer-aided design (CAD) skills to advance their careers and open up exciting new design opportunities. Basic knowledge of SOLIDWORKS and experience using a Windows PC are all you need to get started.

Section 1: Getting Started with the Sheet Metal Module

Each journey starts with a first step. Our first goal will be to introduce what SolidWorks Sheet Metal is and how we can use it. We'll then explore the basics of creating and using simple Sheet Metal models and drawings.

This section contains the following chapters:

• Chapter 1, Sheet Metal Basics – Exploring Sheet Metal Properties and Material Selection
• Chapter 2, Adding Bends Using Edge Flanges
• Chapter 3, Getting Familiar with Basic Tools in Sheet Metal
• Chapter 4, Creating Sheet Metal Drawings and Exporting Files

Chapter 1: Sheet Metal Basics – Exploring Sheet Metal Properties and Material Selection

SolidWorks is one of the world's premier three-dimensional (3D) computer-aided design (CAD) modeling software, with millions of users. However, while many people use SolidWorks for 3D solid modeling, there are also a number of more specialist modules for creating other types of models. The SolidWorks Sheet Metal module is one of the most important of these because it unlocks the massive potential of sheet metal manufacturing and production.

In this chapter, we'll explore what sheet metal is and why it is important. We'll learn how to create a Sheet Metal model using a Base Flange and how to edit the model's Sheet Metal properties.

We'll also cover Flattening parts and have a brief look at which materials are most commonly used for sheet metal.

By the end of this chapter, you'll understand how to start Sheet Metal parts and how to adjust their basic parameters, as well as having some wider knowledge of sheet metal manufacturing and use.

In this chapter, we're going to cover the following main topics:

• Introducing Sheet Metal
• Creating a Base Flange
• Sheet Metal properties
• Other Base Flange options and flattening parts
• Considerations when selecting sheet metal materials

Technical requirements

To complete this section and all following sections, you will require a copy of the SolidWorks software program, along with basic working knowledge. This includes how to carry out operations such as starting new parts, creating and editing sketches and features, and using common tools. For readers who are completely new to SolidWorks, it is advisable to gain a firm foundation of solid modeling first, before undertaking the Sheet Metal module covered in this book.

During the course of the book, if a certain tutorial or tool is causing problems, then try double-checking all of the previous steps, or even try closing the part and starting again from the beginning.

Error messages in SolidWorks can be quite descriptive and often tell the user exactly what the issue is. So, if presented with an error, then try to avoid the temptation to click OK without reading it properly, and attempt to carry out the action suggested in the message.

If the problems persist, then feel free to contact me online via Twitter at www.twitter.com/johnoellison.

SolidWorks versions

The examples and demonstrations in this book were made using SolidWorks 2021. Other versions of SolidWorks may have very minor differences in things such as the interface and how certain options are labeled, but in general, the workflow should be very similar. If you do get stuck on any of these differences, then please contact me using the details previously provided.

Units of measurement

Throughout this book, millimeters (mm) are used as the unit of measurement, but this can be adjusted according to the reader's preference by setting the model's units to inches ("), for example, and then typing the millimeter numerical value followed by mm into the Smart Dimension tool when adding dimensions. This will automatically convert the millimeter values into inches (or your selected unit type).

Terminology

Throughout this book, "sheet metal" (lowercase) refers to the general industry and manufacturing methods used in the real world, whereas "Sheet Metal" (capitalized) refers specifically to the SolidWorks Sheet Metal module.

The term "part" refers to a real-life component or item, whereas part (italicized) refers specifically to a SolidWorks part document.

Introducing Sheet Metal

Sheet metal parts are those that are—as the name suggests—created from flat sheets of metal. Numerous different manufacturing techniques such as bending, cutting, and forming allow these simple flat sheets to be transformed into complex 3D parts. The popularity of sheet metal has exploded in modern times because it allows designers and engineers to take a widely available material type—the flat sheets—and use relatively low-cost tools and processes to create complex products, at an industrial scale.

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