Chapter 29: Using SolidWorks Sheet Metal Tools
Tip
Problems can sometimes arise when you are using configurations that change sizes, because these markers for
fixed faces can be pushed onto other faces. This can cause problems with assemblies and drawings, and in gen-
eral makes visualization difficult. In cases like this, it may be advisable to select a larger face or one that has
fewer changes, if possible, to be used as the fixed face. n
Jog Offset
You can control the direction of the jog by using the arrow button to the left of the end condition
selection box. You can control the jog distance by selecting the end conditions Up To Surface, Up
To Vertex, or Offset From Surface. The default setting is Blind, in which you simply enter a dis-
tance for the offset, in exactly the same way that end conditions are controlled for features such as
extrudes.Fix projected length
One setting that may not be obvious is the Fix projected length. This refers to the length of the
flange that the jog is altering. In Figure 29.19, you can see that the height of the jogged feature is
the same as the height of the original feature. The jog obviously requires more material than the
original, but the Fix projected length option is selected, and so the height is maintained. If you
deselected this option, then the finished height of the flange after the jog is added would be
shorter, because the material is used by the jog and additional material would not be added. For
comparison, the image to the right in Figure 29.19 shows this situation.Jog Position
The Jog Position selection establishes the relationship between the sketched line and the first bend
tangent line. The Jog Position icons have tool tips with the following names, from left to right:
Bend Centerline, Material Inside, Material Outside, and Bend Outside.Jog Angle
The Jog Angle enables you to change the angle of the short perpendicular section of the jog. You
can angle it to smooth out the jog (angles of less than 90 degrees) or to curl back on itself (angles
of more than 90 degrees). Again, be careful to check with your manufacturer’s capabilities.Sketched Bend feature
Sketched Bend works in some respects like half of a jog. It requires the sketch line and the Fixed
Face selection. You define a bend position with the same set of icons that you used in the jog, and
you assign a bend angle in the same way.
Tip
You can use the Sketched Bend feature to dog ear corners. You do this by drawing a line across the corner at
an angle and setting the angle to 180 degrees and then overriding the default radius with a much smaller one,
such as .001 inches. n
Unlike Jog, the Sketched Bend feature does not show you a preview. The Sketched Bend
PropertyManager is shown in Figure 29.20.