SolidWorks 2010 Bible

Chapter 29: Using SolidWorks Sheet Metal Tools

of special properties that are not seen in other features. The first is that it remains at the bottom of

the FeatureManager when other Sheet Metal features are added.

The second property of the Flat Pattern feature is that it is added in the suppressed state. When it is

unsuppressed, it flattens out the sheet metal bends.

By editing the Flat Pattern feature, you can set a few options. The Flat Pattern PropertyManager is

shown in Figure 29.8.

FIGURE 29.8

The Flat Pattern PropertyManager

The Fixed face parameter determines which face remains stationary when the part is flattened out.

Generally, the largest face available is selected automatically, but if you want to specify a different

face to remain stationary, you can do that here.

When the Merge faces option is selected, it causes the Flat Pattern to form a single face rather than

being broken up by the tangent lines around the bends. This does a few things. First, selecting the

face of the flattened part and clicking Convert Entities (found on the Sketch toolbar) makes an out-

line of the entire flattened part, which is easier to use for certain programming applications.

Second, the edges around the outside are not broken up. Third, the tangent edges around the

bends are not shown. The differences between Flat Patterns with this option selected and

unselected are shown in Figure 29.9.

Bend lines are shown in both examples in Figure 29.9.

When you turn select the Simplify Bends option, it simplifies curved edges that are caused by flat-

tening bends to straight lines from arcs or splines. When the option is unselected, the complex

edges remain complex. Simple edges can be cut by standard punches, and do not require

Computer Numerical Control (CNC) controlled lasers or abrasive water jets.

The Corner Treatment option controls whether or not a corner treatment is applied to the Flat

Pattern of a part. The corner treatment is illustrated in Figure 29.10. The model used to create this

corner used a Miter Flange around the edges of a rectangular sheet.