Victor Santos Oliveira
91638cb1f3
* claim: #5237 command-level guide follow-up * docs: add practical command guides and resource contributions (#5237) * docs: index practical guides and reject incomplete command links
3.7 KiB
Create a sheet metal base, bend an existing edge into a wall, or build a contour from an open sketch. The sheet metal rule supplies the material thickness and bend settings so the folded and flat versions describe the same part.
Before you start
| Flange type | What you need to select | Result |
|---|---|---|
| Base | A closed region in a finished sketch. | A new flat sheet metal body. |
| Edge | One or more supported edges of an existing sheet metal body. | Bent walls along those edges. A sketch is not required for this mode. |
| Contour | An open chain of straight sketch lines. | A sheet following that outline, extended by the chosen distance. |
Choose or create a Sheet Metal Rule before building the part. To work from an ordinary solid plate, use Convert to Sheet Metal first. An arbitrary solid edge does not become a sheet metal edge just by selecting Flange.
Options
| Choice | Meaning |
|---|---|
| Type | Base, Edge or Contour. The selection determines which input is appropriate. |
| Rule | Sets thickness, bend radius, K-factor and the gaps/reliefs that keep bends manufacturable. Change thickness in the rule, not as a flange height. |
| Height | Sets the edge flange's height. Check the height reference and preview when matching a drawing dimension. |
| Angle | Sets how far the edge bends; 90° makes a right-angle wall. |
| Per-edge angle and height | Lets selected edges in one feature have different dimensions. Empty values use the common setting. |
| Position | Places the flange relative to the selected edge. The preview shows which material remains inside or outside the original outline. |
| Flip | Bends toward the other side of the sheet. |
| Corner Relief Shape and size | Use the rule's setting or override relief between edge flanges of this feature. These overrides are not available for base or contour flanges. |
| Distance | Sets the length of a contour flange's extrusion along the open sketch. |
Try it: two sides of a tray
- Set a sheet rule with 1.5 mm thickness and 1.5 mm bend radius.
- Draw and finish an 80 × 50 mm rectangular sketch.
- Choose Flange, select the rectangle's region and make a Base flange.
- Choose Flange again, select an edge and set its height to 20 mm.
- Add another 20 mm flange on the opposite edge. Check the bend directions before confirming each feature.
- Use Create Flat Pattern to inspect the developed part and bend lines.
Tips and common mistakes
- Do use one edge flange feature for adjoining walls whose shared corners should close together. Flanges made as separate features keep their own ends.
- Do inspect warnings and the flat pattern; a relief that cannot fit may be left out with a warning.
- Don't confuse height with sheet thickness. The rule owns thickness.
- Don't select a sketch point for an edge flange: choose an edge of the sheet. For a base flange, select a closed sketch region instead.
Examples and community resources
| Resource | What to explore | Author and licence |
|---|---|---|
| Editable sheet metal demo | The rule, base sketch and two edge flanges used in this illustration. | SolidCraft contributors; MIT OR Apache-2.0. |
Contribute a tip, demo, model or screenshot, explaining the edge or region that must be selected.
See also
{{#command sheet.hem}} returns an edge back toward the sheet. {{#command sheet.fold}} bends a sheet along a chosen line. {{#command sheet.manage_rules}} controls thickness and bend settings. {{#command sheet.flat_pattern}} shows the developed part.