SolidWorks 2010 Bible

Part VII: Working with Specialized Functionality

Trim side bends

In situations where a new flange is created next to an existing flange, and a relief must be made in

the existing flange to accommodate the new flange, you can select the Trim side bends option to

trim back the existing flange. Leaving this option unselected simply creates a relief cut, as shown in

Figure 29.14. This is functionality that requires some imagination from the user. A real sheet metal

part manufactured like this would have an area at the corner where the deformation from the

bends in different directions overlaps. This overlapping bend geometry is too complex for

SolidWorks to create automatically, so it offers you a couple of options for how you would like to

visually represent the corner. The Flat Pattern is correct, but the formed model requires some

imagination.

FIGURE 29.14

Using the Trim side bends option

Trim Side Bends off Trim Side Bends on

Curved edges

Edge Flanges can be created on curved edges, but the curved edge must be on a planar face. For

example, if the part were the top of a mailbox, then an Edge Flange could not be put on the curve

on the top of the mailbox. The flange would have to be made as a part of the flat end of the mail-

box, instead.

Figure 29.15 shows Edge Flanges used on a part. Notice that reliefs are added to the ends of the

bends, although they are not really needed.