SOLIDWORKS Sheet Metal

Lesson 1: Basic Flange Features - The first lesson of this course teaches the user how to create a sheet metal part and how to flatten it to reveal the flat pattern. The user will be taught how to add edge and miter flanges as well as how to use the hem and tab features. Upon completion of this lesson the user will understand unique sheet metal FeatureManager tree items and specialised sheet metal cut options.

Lesson 2: Working with the Flat Pattern - In lesson 2, the user will learn how to modify flat pattern settings and the corners of a formed sheet metal part. They will be taught how to access and modify cut list item properties and how to create drawings of sheet metal parts. Finally the user will learn how to export a sheet metal flat pattern to DXF or DWG file formats.

Lesson 3: Standardising Sheet Metal Designs - In lesson 3, users will investigate the use of gauge and bend tables in sheet metal modelling. They will be taught how to optimise their work by creating custom sheet metal materials and templates for both parts and drawings. The user will also learn how to add cut list information to a drawing as a table as well as map each sheet metal process to a separate layer of an exported DXF.

Lesson 4: Additional Sheet Metal Techniques - Upon completion of lesson 4, the user will be able to design sheet metal parts from the flat pattern and add features in an unfolded state. The user will also be able to use the swept flange command and create sheet metal transitions using lofted bends.

Lesson 5: Converting to Sheet Metal - In lesson 5, the user will be taught how to insert bends to unroll a cylindrical part and add bend regions whilst ripping the corners to a thin-walled part created in another CAD program, so that the part can be flattened. The user will also learn how to convert a solid block into a Sheet Metal part using the block geometry.

Lesson 6: Multibody Sheet Metal Parts - Lesson 6 gives the user an understanding of different methods of creating and using multibody sheet metal parts. The user will learn how to control sheet metal parameters for separate bodies within the same part, and how to create drawings of multibody sheet metal parts and individual bodies.

Lesson 7: Forming Tools and Gussets - In lesson 7, the user will become familiar with using form tools to create features such as ribs, louvers and lances as well as how to modify and create custom forming tools. In addition to this, the user will learn how to create punch tables and sheet metal gussets, and understand the options associated with showing form tools and gussets in the flat pattern.

Lesson 8: Additional Sheet Metal Tools - The final lesson of this course teaches users how to insert cross breaks and how to create an opposite hand part that can also be flattened. The user will also learn how to use the Tab and Slot feature, and use configurations to show the step by step folding process.

Appendix A: Sheet Metal Tables - Tables | Customising Tables