SOLIDWORKS: Sheet Metal Design

Course details

CAD software like SOLIDWORKS makes sheet metal design quick and cost effective. This course gets you up to speed with the sheet metal tools in SOLIDWORKS, and takes you on a trip to the factory floor to see the final manufactured results. Instructor Gabriel Corbett shows what goes on behind the scenes and provides tips on designing parts for the real world.

First, review the sheet metal tools in SOLIDWORKS and the properties that make sheet metal unique: bend radius, K-factor, bend deduction, gauge thickness, and more. Then learn how to create basic parts, with base features, flanges, and bends that add strength and connections. Find out how to flatten parts and add holes, cuts, and corners that are manufacturing ready, and use the Convert to Sheet Metal command to convert imported geometry into native sheet metal parts. Gabriel also shows you how to create assemblies from multiple parts, use the Pattern and Mirrors tools to effortlessly duplicate existing work, and then document your designs with detailed sheet metal drawings. Watch the bonus videos to learn about the different machinery and processes that occur during manufacturing.

Learning objectives
Sheet metal tools in SOLIDWORKS
Sheet metal manufacturing: Laser cutting, CNC machining, welding, and more
Creating base features
Creating flanges and tabs
Making cuts and corners
Using the Convert to Sheet Metal command
Building multi-body parts
Creating forming tools
Forming across a bend
Building an assembly
Creating parts in an assembly
Creating sheet metal drawings

Concepts

0. Introduction

01 - Getting ahead with sheet metal design in SOLIDWORKS
02 - Using the exercise files

1. Interface and Sheet Metal Basics

03 - Looking at the sheet metal tools
04 - Using and customizing the ribbon
05 - Understanding sheet metal
06 - Bonus - Laser cutting

2. Sheet Metal Flanges

07 - Creating a base feature
08 - Looking at the Flange tool
09 - Creating tabs
10 - Making an edge flange
11 - Using the Edit Flange Profile tool
12 - Using the Miter Flange tool
13 - Making a swept flange
14 - Using the Jog feature
15 - Making hems
16 - Bonus - CNC turret punch press
17 - Bonus - Shearing

3. Sheet Metal Cuts and Corners

18 - Unfolding and folding parts
19 - Making normal cuts in sheet metal
20 - Adding cuts across bends
21 - Making closed corners
22 - Adding welded corners
23 - Making a cross break
24 - Bonus - Break forming

4. Converting to Sheet Metal

25 - Using the Convert to Sheet Metal command
26 - Adding sketched bends
27 - Importing geometry
28 - Looking at the Rip feature
29 - Creating a lofted bend
30 - Bonus - Deburring

5. Multibody Parts

31 - Building a chassis
32 - Using the pattern tools
33 - Using Mirror Symmetry
34 - Using the Split feature
35 - Exporting individual parts
36 - Bonus - Welding

6. Forming Tools

37 - Using forming tools
38 - Modifying a forming tool
39 - Creating a custom forming tool
40 - Forming across a bend
41 - Bonus - CNC machining

7. Sheet Metal Assemblies

42 - Basic assembly techniques
43 - Adding cuts in context
44 - Creating parts in the assembly
45 - Using patterns and mirrors
46 - Bonus - Hardware

8. Sheet Metal Drawings

47 - Using ordinate dimensions
48 - Looking at the sheet options
49 - Creating flat patterns
50 - Saving to DXF or DWG
51 - Automation with the SOLIDWORKS Task Scheduler
52 - Preparing for manufacturing

Conclusion

53 - Next steps