Convert Solid to sheet metal

Use this space to ask how to do whatever you're trying to use SolidWorks to do.
DLZ_SWX_User
Posts: 49
Joined: Mon Dec 20, 2021 1:40 pm
Answers: 0
Location: Thumb Area of Michigan, USA
x 176
x 26

Convert Solid to sheet metal

Unread post by DLZ_SWX_User »

I had watched a video from To Tall Toby a week ago that took a solid & converted it to sheet metal.
I tried to create a shield from a solid but I can't seem to get it to work without a large relief. Would like the relief to be almost touching to get a smoth weld. Any ideas would be helpful.
Attachments
Screenshot 2022-02-18 153604.png
Lapuo
Posts: 109
Joined: Tue Mar 09, 2021 2:06 am
Answers: 0
x 176
x 106

Re: Convert Solid to sheet metal

Unread post by Lapuo »

Why bother to use convert to sheet metal?
You can model this with native sheet metal tools , and probably you will get better results.
User avatar
Lucas
Posts: 227
Joined: Tue Jun 15, 2021 3:46 am
Answers: 2
Location: Osaka, JP
x 171
x 169

Re: Convert Solid to sheet metal

Unread post by Lucas »

DLZ_SWX_User wrote: Fri Feb 18, 2022 3:39 pm I had watched a video from To Tall Toby a week ago that took a solid & converted it to sheet metal.
I tried to create a shield from a solid but I can't seem to get it to work without a large relief. Would like the relief to be almost touching to get a smoth weld. Any ideas would be helpful.
Don't know how to do that with the Convert to Sheet Metal tool; I think you have better control using Base Flange for the profile and Edge Flange, then you just need edit the Flange sketch as you want:
image.png
Attachments
edge flange.SLDPRT
(99.61 KiB) Downloaded 83 times
IndianaDave
Posts: 45
Joined: Fri Mar 12, 2021 10:46 am
Answers: 0
x 5
x 54

Re: Convert Solid to sheet metal

Unread post by IndianaDave »

As mentioned... Just model it in sheetmetal to begin with.
Convert to sheetmetal works for basic boxes, and such, but for more complicated things, it's better to model it as a sheetmetal part right from the start.
User avatar
SamSpade
Posts: 115
Joined: Tue Mar 23, 2021 3:34 pm
Answers: 2
Location: Montreal, QC
x 223
x 155

Re: Convert Solid to sheet metal

Unread post by SamSpade »

For simple parts, as the one shown, I would agree to just model it as a sheet metal part. For more complicated designs (with compounded angles and non 90° bends) I would opt to use the convert to sheet metal tool, and then close the corners manually as required.
Attachments
ROUNDED BOX.SLDPRT
(529.78 KiB) Downloaded 91 times
You miss 100% of the shots you don't take - Wayne Gretzky
User avatar
HerrTick
Posts: 207
Joined: Fri Mar 19, 2021 10:41 am
Answers: 1
x 32
x 307

Re: Convert Solid to sheet metal

Unread post by HerrTick »

If you don't like the auto relief, cut your own.

Defaults are just bad decisions outsourced to software settings.
Tera
Posts: 225
Joined: Fri Mar 19, 2021 4:58 am
Answers: 2
x 483
x 91

Re: Convert Solid to sheet metal

Unread post by Tera »

SamSpade wrote: Wed Feb 23, 2022 11:04 am For more complicated designs (with compounded angles and non 90° bends) I would opt to use the convert to sheet metal tool
Can give an example file when you prefer to use convert to sheet metal?
thanks.
User avatar
HerrTick
Posts: 207
Joined: Fri Mar 19, 2021 10:41 am
Answers: 1
x 32
x 307

Re: Convert Solid to sheet metal

Unread post by HerrTick »

I like using convert to sheet metal when I have a shape that is best controlled using a layout sketch. Especially Z-brackets.

I had a job designing hinges for auto interiors. Those designs are best done at the assembly level with master sketches, which are then pushed to the parts. Forming hinge barrels works far better as a sheet metal conversion than trying to use SM features.
berg_lauritz
Posts: 423
Joined: Tue Mar 09, 2021 10:11 am
Answers: 6
x 439
x 233

Re: Convert Solid to sheet metal

Unread post by berg_lauritz »

my favorite application is when the shape has angles:
Screenshot 2022-02-24 082541.png
If you have to encase i.e. this shape for ducting/piping it's way faster to 'link' all of those parts correctly together with convert sheet metal.

Here a .gif for a more weird shape:
convert sheet metal example.gif
& attached the part:
convert sheet metal example.SLDPRT
(204.45 KiB) Downloaded 90 times
User avatar
SamSpade
Posts: 115
Joined: Tue Mar 23, 2021 3:34 pm
Answers: 2
Location: Montreal, QC
x 223
x 155

Re: Convert Solid to sheet metal

Unread post by SamSpade »

Tera wrote: Wed Feb 23, 2022 6:48 pm Can give an example file when you prefer to use convert to sheet metal?
thanks.
I have attached an arbitrary sheet-metal part where I've used the convert to sheet-metal tool. This part can be started and completed with conventional sheet-metal tools (Base-Flange, Edge-flange, etc...), However, in my humble opinion, I find it easier when it comes to using reference geometry to model a solid, versus trying to align the faces and ends of returns and edge flanges to reference geometry, but that's just me.
SAMPLE BOX 1.SLDPRT
(665.95 KiB) Downloaded 100 times
IMAGE 1.jpg
You miss 100% of the shots you don't take - Wayne Gretzky
User avatar
zxys001
Posts: 1077
Joined: Fri Apr 02, 2021 10:08 am
Answers: 5
Location: Scotts Valley, Ca.
x 2304
x 995
Contact:

Re: Convert Solid to sheet metal

Unread post by zxys001 »

extrude, add radii, delete faces and thicken and create sheetmetal..
Attachments
xrt1.zip
(261.77 KiB) Downloaded 36 times
ge 2.png
ge 1.png
"Democracies aren't overthrown; they're given away." -George Lucas
“We only protect what we love, we only love what we understand, and we only understand what we are taught.” - Jacques Cousteau
Post Reply