Introducing: Approved Sheet Metal’s Proprietary Louver Tool in SOLIDWORKS (Updated for 2024)

Last updated on January 29th, 2024 at 12:35 pm

We’re thrilled to share that we created a proprietary tool to help sheet metal fabrication customers design louvers in SOLIDWORKS.

We love louvers. These press-formed features are commonly found in applications that require airflow and light penetration, such as microwaves and ventilation systems.

The most common louvers consist of a single-stroke form created with a turret punch press or press brake. ​​Using standard tooling for louvers is one great way to save time and money on a custom sheet metal fabrication.

You may be thinking: “Louvers seem like simple enough features, so why do I need a unique design tool in SOLIDWORKS to ensure manufacturability? Doesn’t SOLIDWORKS already have a tool for designing louvers?”

The Problem with Designing Louvers in SOLIDWORKS

Yes, SOLIDWORKS sheet metal has a louver tool to help streamline the design process. The only problem? The standard, “out-of-the-box” louver SOLIDWORKS provides is not manufacturable!

It has angles and slopes that simply aren’t achievable in the real world. If we were to try manufacturing louvers to SOLIDWORKS’ default specifications, we’d end up ripping the material and ruining the part.

Introducing: Approved Sheet Metal’s Proprietary Louver Tool

Luckily, all hope for an easy method of designing manufacturable louvers is not lost!

The SOLIDWORKS experts at Approved Sheet Metal have created our own louver tool that boasts these big benefits:

• Compatible with SOLIDWORKS
• Simplifies louver design without jeopardizing manufacturability
• Works with our standard in-house tooling

And? Our louvers look very similar to the default louvers in SOLIDWORKS.

ASM Provides Two Standard Louver Sizes in SOLIDWORKS

Through our proprietary SOLIDWORKS louver tool, you can make louvers with these measurements:

• Louver #1
  • Length: 2.985″
  • Width: 0.615″
  • Height: 0.210″ (measured from the top of the sheet to the top of the form)
  • Suitable for material thickness ranges between 0.047″ and 0.080″

• Louver #2
  • Length: 4.000″
  • Width: 0.750″
  • Height: 0.310″ (measured from the top of the sheet to the top of the form)
  • Suitable for material thickness ranges between 0.060″ and 0.100″

It’s important to note that the distance from the front edge to the formed edge is typically around 0.950″, and the distance between the formed louvers themselves is 0.250″. The larger the louver, the more these dimensions increase, so please keep that in mind when designing your custom sheet metal fabrication.

Additionally, if you’re working with thicker materials than the ranges listed, please ask us about other solutions. We created this tool to streamline the louver design process, but we welcome custom projects that require more complex engineering.

Download Approved Sheet Metal’s SOLIDWORKS Tool for Louvers

Are you ready to start using our louver tool for your next custom sheet metal fabrication?

We’ve made it really easy to add our standard louvers to your SOLIDWORKS platform. Simply download the files here, and upload them into SOLIDWORKS.

Louver #1

2.985 X .615 X .210 – 0.047 – 0.080 Thickness Download

Louver #2

4.000 X .750 X .310 – 0.060 – 0.100 Thickness Download

Watch this quick video to learn exactly how to download our standard louvers and where you can find our louver tooling in SOLIDWORKS.

Any questions? Feel free to contact us; we’d be happy to help!

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Sheet Metal Louver Design FAQ

What are louvers and where are they commonly used?

Louvers are press-formed features commonly used in applications that require airflow and light penetration, such as microwaves and ventilation systems.

Why do I need a unique design tool in SOLIDWORKS for designing louvers? Doesn’t SOLIDWORKS already have a louver design tool?

While SOLIDWORKS does have a louver tool, the standard tool provided is not manufacturable. It has angles and slopes that are not achievable in the real world, which would result in material ripping and ruined parts. Our proprietary Louver Tool in SOLIDWORKS ensures manufacturability and simplifies the design process.

What are the benefits of using Approved Sheet Metal’s proprietary Louver Tool?

Our Louver Tool offers several benefits:

• It is compatible with SOLIDWORKS.
• It simplifies louver design without compromising manufacturability.
• It works seamlessly with our standard in-house tooling.
• Our louvers look very similar to the default louvers in SOLIDWORKS.

What are the standard sizes of louvers available through Approved Sheet Metal’s Louver Tool?

Through our proprietary SOLIDWORKS louver tool, we provide two standard louver sizes:

• Louver #1:
  • Length: 2.985″
  • Width: 0.615″
  • Height: 0.210″ (measured from the top of the sheet to the top of the form)
  • Suitable for material thickness ranges between 0.047″ and 0.080″
• Louver #2:
  • Length: 4.000″
  • Width: 0.750″
  • Height: 0.310″ (measured from the top of the sheet to the top of the form)
  • Suitable for material thickness ranges between 0.060″ and 0.100″

What should I consider when designing custom sheet metal fabrications with louvers?

When designing custom sheet metal fabrications with louvers, it’s important to consider the following:

• The distance from the front edge to the formed edge is typically around 0.950″.
• The distance between formed louvers is 0.250″.
• These dimensions increase as the size of the louver increases.
• If you’re working with thicker materials than the specified ranges, please contact us for other solutions. We welcome custom projects that require more complex engineering.