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Patterning Sheet Metal Features

Question asked by Kevin Kappes on Jul 10, 2015
Latest reply on Jul 20, 2015 by Kevin Kappes

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Hi,

We are working on modifying a sheet metal tabletop to have holders for rollers. Rather than create a pile of features and details, I decided to create the profile for one roller, and use a sketch-driven pattern to place the rest, like below:

However, Solidworks is having issues with this.It says "Cannot find matching edges/faces on the body to apply mirror/pattern of this Sheet Metal feature".

The feature tree is as follows:

Extruded Cut to make opening in top.

Edge Flange to make the tab.

Extruded Cut for hole through the flange.

Mirror @ Plane 1 to mirror flange on other side.

Does anyone have advice on how to make this work?

Jamil Snead Jul 11, 2015 12:32 AM

Correct Answer

I could be wrong but it might be running into trouble if you have a sketch point on the seed feature, and then maybe it's trying to put a patterned feature on top of the seed. Try deleting the sketch point in the middle of the seed and see if it works then.

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Erik Bilello Jul 10, 2015 9:25 PM

Kevin,

A quick and dirty (sorry, nothing's defined) version of what I think you are trying to do works OK for me. I defined plane1 a couple of different ways and had no problems. Can you post your part.

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sketch patterned sheetmetal.SLDPRT.zip150.6 KB

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Bernie Daraz Jul 10, 2015 9:45 PM

If this was my project I would make a block for the cutout and (flat) flanges then add Sketch Bends and pattern those.

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Anna Wood Jul 11, 2015 12:15 AM

In your SolidWorks install, one of the benchmark files is a sheet metal carrier that I did for the benchmark. I use a technique using an inserted part. Open the carrier and look for the inserted cavity.

This technique as worked well for us throughout the years. Our base carrier is standard and we just change out cavities as needed for new designs.

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Kevin Kappes @ Anna Wood on Jul 20, 2015 10:15 AM

Neat, I'll have to look into this method! This is the first time we've had to do a design for this, but I imagine this won't be the last time I have to make this same feature for something else.

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Jamil Snead Jul 11, 2015 12:32 AM

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Kevin Kappes @ Jamil Snead on Jul 20, 2015 10:12 AM

That was it! I had created a point at the center of it for mirroring for the other side, and didn't think to remove the point. It was trying to pattern the features where they already were in the first place.

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6 Replies

Erik Bilello Jul 10, 2015 9:25 PM
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Correct Answer
Kevin,
A quick and dirty (sorry, nothing's defined) version of what I think you are trying to do works OK for me. I defined plane1 a couple of different ways and had no problems. Can you post your part.
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- sketch patterned sheetmetal.SLDPRT.zip150.6 KB
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Bernie Daraz Jul 10, 2015 9:45 PM
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If this was my project I would make a block for the cutout and (flat) flanges then add Sketch Bends and pattern those.
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Anna Wood Jul 11, 2015 12:15 AM
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Correct Answer
In your SolidWorks install, one of the benchmark files is a sheet metal carrier that I did for the benchmark. I use a technique using an inserted part. Open the carrier and look for the inserted cavity.

This technique as worked well for us throughout the years. Our base carrier is standard and we just change out cavities as needed for new designs.
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- Kevin Kappes @ Anna Wood on Jul 20, 2015 10:15 AM
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  Correct Answer
  Neat, I'll have to look into this method! This is the first time we've had to do a design for this, but I imagine this won't be the last time I have to make this same feature for something else.
  Like • Show 0 Likes0
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Jamil Snead Jul 11, 2015 12:32 AM
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Correct Answer
I could be wrong but it might be running into trouble if you have a sketch point on the seed feature, and then maybe it's trying to put a patterned feature on top of the seed. Try deleting the sketch point in the middle of the seed and see if it works then.
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- Kevin Kappes @ Jamil Snead on Jul 20, 2015 10:12 AM
  Mark Correct
  Correct Answer
  That was it! I had created a point at the center of it for mirroring for the other side, and didn't think to remove the point. It was trying to pattern the features where they already were in the first place.
  Like • Show 0 Likes0
  Actions

Patterning Sheet Metal Features

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