SolidWorks 2010 Bible

Chapter 29: Using SolidWorks Sheet Metal Tools

Form across bends

A second special technique is a gusset or a form that goes across bends. This can be adapted in

many ways, but it is shown here going across two bends. I cannot confirm the practicality of actu-

ally manufacturing something like this, but I have seen it done.

The technique used here is to call the single long flat face of the forming tool the Stopping Face.

The vertical faces on the ends and the fillet faces must be selected in the Faces to Remove selection

box. The fillets of the outside of the forming tool also have to match the bends of the sheet metal

part exactly. You may need to edit this part each time you use it, unless you apply it to parts with

bends of the same size and separated by the same distance.

When you place the tool on the sheet metal part, you must place it accurately from side to side to

get everything to work out properly. This part is in the same location as the Cross Break file, and is

called Chapter 29 – Form Across Bends Sheet Metal.sldprt. Figure 29.29 shows the

tool and a part to which it has been applied.

FIGURE 29.29

Forming across bends

Faces to remove (both ends)

Stopping face