SheetMetal Examples

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Introduction

The SheetMetal workbench has grown quite powerful now and it demands an appropriate documentation.

To avoid the overcrowding of the tool pages with examples this page was added to collect parts showing and explaining special SheetMetal features.

Planned phases to generate content:

1. Collecting pictures
2. Adding workflow descriptions
3. Adding more detailed tutorials

Hinge

Workflow Hinge: Make Base Wall, PartDesign Pocket, PartDesign Hole, Unfold.

Hinge Step by Step:

1. Create a profile, preferably using the Sketcher Workbench. (A line and a tangent arc)
2. Activate the Make Base Wall command to create a BaseBend object.
3. Edit the BaseBend object's parameters:
   • Set DataMid Plane to trueto let the profile extend symmetrically to both sides of the sketch plane.
   • Set Dataradius and Datathickness to values of your choice.
4. Create a cut-out contour, preferably using the Sketcher Workbench.
5. Use the PartDesign Pocket command to cut off one half of the Round bit.
6. Create a hole pattern, preferably using the Sketcher Workbench.
7. Use the PartDesign Hole command. Avoid the countersink and counterbore options to keep the body unfoldable.
8. Activate the Unfold command to get an Unfold object.

Done!

Paper Clip

Workflow Paper Clip: Make Base Wall, Sketch on Sheet, clone, flip and fuse, Unfold.

Too bad that there is a tool missing to mirror the whole object.
A link object could be mirrored, but when fused (boolean) unfold will fail.
To achieve an unfoldable part with both halves fused a clone or one of a pair of link objects has to be flipped (turned by 180°) instead of being mirrored.

Omega Clamp

Workflow Omega Clip: Make Base Wall, PartDesign Hole, PartDesign Fillet, Unfold.

Hex Bowl

Workflow Hex Bowl: Make Base Wall, Make Wall, 6x Add Corner Relief, Unfold.

When a Corner Relief is added (right side) it can be necessary to adjust the value of the Size property.

Pen Clip

Workflow Pen Clip: Make Base Wall, PartDesign Pocket, 3x Make Wall, Unfold.

Extend Face Example

Workflow Extend Face Example: Make Base Wall, Make Wall, Extend Face, Extend Face, Unfold.

For the second use of Extend Face a Sketch with two contours is used for shape of the extension(s); and with the value of "use subtraction" set to true it provides the shape for the cut-outs, as well

USB shield contact

Workflow USB shield contact: Make Base Wall, Extend Face, PartDesign Pocket, Extend Face, Make Wall, Unfold.

(The pull relief is just an artistic expression of what could be hidden inside a real plug)