Hey guys,
I admit im not an expert with the sheet metal option in solidworks, but I have no idea how I can lance little tabs along the length of a "U" channel i've created out of sheet metal.
Any suggestions?
Hey guys,
I admit im not an expert with the sheet metal option in solidworks, but I have no idea how I can lance little tabs along the length of a "U" channel i've created out of sheet metal.
Any suggestions?
Tyler
Can you post the Sheet Metal part? I'm using SW2011.
Or pictures
Hello,
A few questions:
Are you familiar with SW's forming tools?
Have you set your forming tools folder?
Is the required lance tool created?
If not, please review SW's help on these topics and it will further you along.
There are a few sample lances SW provides OOTB, so you can practice with these on a piece of scrap .
Cheers,
Kevin
I am not familiar with any of these haha so thanks for the advice i'll look into it
Tyler,
Was this the sort of thing you were thinking about?
Welcome to the forum.
I'm afraid I don't do much with sheet metal, so I can't help with your issue, but I'd like to suggest you move this discussion to the "Sheet Metal" section of the forum. You may get more help that way. Please don't start a new discussion, just click on "Move" near the top-right, then "Sheet Metal" will be one of the sub-spaces under "Modeling and Assemblies".
There is more information to help you get the most out of the forum here: Forum Posting .
thank you I must've missed this when I was posting the question
Is this what you mean?
Chris
This is basically what i'm trying to do, I have figured out a way to get it done but i'm not sure its following proper modeling techniques.
Basically I had to extrude a cut of the size I wanted, linear patterned it, then added in an edge flange of the proper size and patterned that as well.
This just doesn't seem the quickest or proper way to do it considering I could've made the edge flange alot larger than the cut I wanted, and in my head I was thinking there be a way to create the 3 cuts then just bend along the uncut side if that makes sense.
Thank you very much for the help
*couldn't view the actual file as I am running SW2013
Tyler,
You seem to have answered your own question, but as you point out you are not doing it the quickest way.
I'm using 2015 so I'll just post a couple of screenshots, but I believe this will work in '13 for you as well.
Start an edge flange on your part. Use "Edit Flange Profile" to make the flange width the size you need it to be, and then in "Flange Position" select "Offset" to move the flange in from the edge.
Then, simply pattern the flange feature.
Completed pattern.
This is exactly what I was looking for although i'm having a little issue trying to re-create it. I have 2015 at home so i'll try it tonight but 2013 doesn't seem to want to work with me,
In your first picture I see the top edge is selected but then you got the preview to be shown a couple inchs down with a reduced width meanwhile mine just automatically builds an edge flange the length of the top edge selected. When I hit edit flange profile a thing comes up that just says "sketch is valid" and I cant do anything with it
Tyler,
In "Edit Flange Profile" you can edit the sketch that defines the flange, just like any other sketch defining a feature. I didn't put dimensions or relations on the quick part I made for the screen shot, but it would have clarified what was going on. I'll attach an example part when I get a moment on the PC, I'm on the Mac just now.
thank you, thatd be appreciated.
I did manage to figure out what you're saying about changing the lengths but I haven't been able to replicate your first photo with the edge flange being displaced a certain depth and showing that depth as the flange length. It looks like your first photo has it set up so whatever depth you drag the edge flange too results in the appropriate change in length to the edge flange itself
Tyler,
When you edit the flange sketch you can profile the edges, chamfer or fillet the corners etc. It's a bit more than I would normally do, but you can even add holes, as I have done here as an example. The dialog box lets you know if your sketch is still valid for a flange as you go along. In addition to dimensioning the sketch, you can add relations to existing features just as with any other sketch, so the size and/or shape of the flange can be driven by other geometry. The ability to edit the flange sketch is a very useful, but often overlooked tool.
It is a good day when I learn something Erik. I've been doing this for a long time and it never occurred to me that I could offset a flange into the material. Now I have to figure out why it didn't occur to me. Thanks for the tip.
This is basically what i'm trying to do, I have figured out a way to get it done but i'm not sure its following proper modeling techniques.
Basically I had to extrude a cut of the size I wanted, linear patterned it, then added in an edge flange of the proper size and patterned that as well.
This just doesn't seem the quickest or proper way to do it considering I could've made the edge flange alot larger than the cut I wanted, and in my head I was thinking there be a way to create the 3 cuts then just bend along the uncut side if that makes sense.
Thank you very much for the help
*couldn't view the actual file as I am running SW2013