Solidworks Project: Learning the Ropes - Entry #11: Sheet Metal: Forming Tools

Basic Techniques - Sheet Metal: Forming Tools


This entry is a continuation of the basic theory conveyed in SolidWorks Project: Learning the Ropes - Entry #1, where a 3D model of a pressure plate was created. As stated in Entry #1, the theory being tested in this blog series is based upon the internal tutorial program embedded within Solidworks, which is rumored to be all that is needed to reach intermediate to advanced level understanding of the software, with additional sources only needed for specialized uses or integration with other programs such as Blender for 3D printing. This series will document the progress of a first year engineering student with no prior experience with computer aided engineering design to weigh the theory based on outcomes. 


The process demonstrated followed the tutorials presented through the software itself, with no external assistance from other instructional sources.


Entry #11 begins a new tutorial using formed parts in SolidWorks’ design library to efficiently design sheet metal parts.  The signposting of what to expect to learn from this tutorial is as follows:

  • Add a formed louver part to the design library.

  • Add a formed louver to a sheet metal part.

  • Select a configuration for the formed louver.

  • Replace the formed louver with a formed extruded hole.

  • Link the formed extruded hole to the sheet metal part to preserve forming tool updates.

  • Set the appearance of placement sketches in flat patterns.

  • Assign punch IDs for use in punch tables.



This tutorial begins with opening a pre-made file containing a yellow object referred to as a “preconfigured louver part,” which can be seen in Fig 1.  The next step is to add the louver to the design library. This presents another issue in the tutorial process; the instructions state to simply right click on the louvre from the featuremanager and select “add to library.” This option is not available in the right click menu. The toolbar pane where this option can be found is on the opposite side of the workspace, as seen in Fig. 2. Once this option is found, the directions get back on track.


Once the part is added, the sample louver is closed and a new premade sampe part is opened, prompting the user to save it as my_cover, since apparently it is a cover/enclosure. (Fig. 3.)

Accessing the design library allows the sample louver to be accessed and dragged onto the top face of the cover. After some adjustments, another face of the cover is clicked on to move the louver to the selected location as seen in Figs. 4&5.


Next, the louver is moved to another face of the Cover, duplicated, positioned and aligned using the Smart Dimension tool. Three louvers are added, and the results look nice. The intention for the louvers, however, is to transform them into extruded cuts. The instructions direct the user to navigate through the dialog box that is prompted by right clicking the sample_louver(W20) part and opening another file called extruded hole.sldprt.  Unfortunately, this file is nowhere to be found, and a workaround has not been discovered.  


Conclusion:  This tutorial is the second that has presented obstacles that could not be overcome. If not due to user error, this fault is likely due to updates to the tutorials not being updated as quickly as the program itself and the Solidworks data guru will be contacted once again. These two tutorials will be revisited once this takes place since the first time this occurred, the tutorials were fixed very quickly and it seems the whole “Getting Started” section was updated. The Basics, however, do not seem to have been updated.  


























Fig. 1. The Louver.






Fig. 2. The upper right tool pane shows what appears to be a group of books.  This is how one can add the louver to the design library.


Fig. 3. The next part that is opened is the “cover.”


Fig. 4. The sample louver is placed onto the cover.


Fig. 5. The louver is moved to a new location simply by clicking the desired location.




Fig. 6.  Repositioning the louver to the side.

Fig. 7. Switching views and preparing to add more louvers.



Fig. 8.  Duplicating the louvers.

Fig. 9.  Once there are three louvers, they can be properly aligned and positioned using Smart Dimension.


Fig. 10.  The result of the louver work.

 

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