Question 1

What makes part design crucial in successful sheet metal fabrication at Approved Sheet Metal?

Accepted Answer

Part design is vital in successful sheet metal fabrication at Approved Sheet Metal because it is just as important as the manufacturing process. Starting the design in the center of the design area offers more flexibility and freedom, prevents rework, and allows for easier incorporation of techniques such as mating and mirroring.

Question 2

How does SOLIDWORKS help in designing complex sheet metal parts at Approved Sheet Metal?

Accepted Answer

SOLIDWORKS has a shell tool that allows engineers to draw their basic shape, ensuring uniform material thickness. For complex designs, using the shell tool simplifies the process. Alternatively, customers can send their shell designs to Approved Sheet Metal, where the team can convert them into sheet metal fabrication.

Question 3

How does Approved Sheet Metal streamline the process of adding hardware to sheet metal designs?

Accepted Answer

Approved Sheet Metal utilizes an efficient approach with SOLIDWORKS, where engineers can drag and drop hardware into their designs, and the software auto-snaps the hardware into the appropriate holes. This saves valuable time compared to the traditional method of manually adding hardware.

Question 4

What are some essential SOLIDWORKS design tips recommended by ASM for sheet metal fabrication?

Accepted Answer

ASM recommends three essential SOLIDWORKS design tips for sheet metal fabrication: starting the design in the center of the design area for flexibility and ease of use, using the shell tool for complex designs to maintain uniform material thickness, and streamlining hardware additions by dragging and dropping them in the model to save time.

Question 5

What design tips can you offer for successful sheet metal fabrication using SOLIDWORKS at Approved Sheet Metal?

Accepted Answer

Start by centering your SolidWorks sheet metal design: When beginning your design, place the part's center right in the middle of the design area. This approach provides more flexibility and freedom from the start, and it can prevent rework in later stages.
Use the shell tool for complex designs: While SOLIDWORKS allows drawing parts one bend at a time, for complex designs, use the shell tool to maintain uniform material thickness. After rendering the shell, convert the design to sheet metal fabrication for better results.
Streamline hardware additions: Instead of manually adding hardware to your designs, take advantage of SOLIDWORKS' drag-and-drop functionality. This efficient approach allows hardware components to auto-snap into the appropriate holes, saving valuable time and ensuring accurate integration.

By following these tips and leveraging SOLIDWORKS' capabilities, you can enhance your sheet metal fabrication designs and achieve superior results at Approved Sheet Metal.

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SolidWorks Sheet Metal

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16 years of SOLIDWORKS and counting…