Sheet Metal Forming In Solidworks

This differs from many other objects which are made of sheet metal but formed with a process like stamping or hydro forming.

Sheet metal forming in solidworks. Refer to the indentations as seen in the image below. The solidworks software includes some sample forming tool parts to get you started. Before creating a custom forming tool determining how it is going to be saved and stored is important because there are two different file types that could be used. Forming tools are used to create sheet metal features that would be produced using a punch or stamp.

They are stored in. There are a set of forming tools for punching sheet metal models inside the design library in solidworks. You can find these items in the forming tools folder. There are a number of useful tools here.

Ribs lances louvers and extruded flanges to name some of the categories. Install dir programdata solidworks solidworks version design library forming tools. It accounts for material stretch and deformation as well as bending and can flatten any solidworks geometry. Solidworks forming tools are found in the design library and are used to form sheet metal parts.

In the following image you can see how a forming tool is dragged from the design library onto the sheet metal model to form the part. There are specific sheet metal features you can use to create sheet metal bodies quickly. However in some circumstances when the design requires certain types of geometry you can use non sheet metal feature tools then insert bends or convert the part to sheet metal. Forming tools are parts that act as dies that bend stretch or otherwise form sheet metal to create form features such as louvers lances flanges and ribs.