SolidWorks 2010 Bible

Part VII: Working with Specialized Functionality

cut that does not use the Normal cut option and creates faces that are not perpendicular to the

main face of the part will not cause the Flat Pattern to fail.

FIGURE 29.34

Using the Normal cut option

Normal cut off Normal cut on

Rip feature

When building a sheet metal part from a generic model, a common technique used to achieve con-

sistent wall thicknesses is to build the outer shape as a solid and then shell the part. The only

problem with this method is that it leaves corners joined in a way that cannot be flattened. You can

solve this problem by using the Rip feature. Rip breaks out the corner in one or both directions in

such a way that it can be unfolded. Bend reliefs are later added automatically by the Process Bends

feature.

Figure 29.35 shows the Rip PropertyManager and the results of using this feature. The model was

created to look like a Miter Flange part.

Notice also in Figure 29.3 that after the Rip, the edges of the material are still sheared at an angle.

Because the top of the part was shelled, the thickness of the part is not normal to the main face of

the sheet metal. You can fix this by using the Flatten Bends feature, which lays the entire part out

flat, calculates the bend areas, and corrects any discrepancies at the edges of the part.