Can I create a shell model with Solidworks?
Can I create a shell model with Solidworks?
(OP)
I have a sheetmetal part I need to recreate for FEA that I want to do in another program. All I want to do is create the shell geometry and then apply a thickness to it in the FEA tool. Can I create something like that with Solidworks, or is there another program I should be using? I have access to AutoCAD too, if that would be a better program.






RE: Can I create a shell model with Solidworks?
2. Click Search tab.
3. Type in "shell"
Then, you should get three titles to give you basic idea of "Shell".
Now, making Sheet Metal from Solid with Shell is common technique. This is just a brief steps.
1. Make a solid block.
2. "Shell" the block. (You can specify the thickness at this moment)
3. "Rip" edges.
4. "Insert Bends" (This process turns the block into Sheet Metal part)
I have operated CADAM, AutoCAD, I-DEAS and SolidWorks, but SolidWorks is the best program especially to create Sheet Metal. You would love it.
RE: Can I create a shell model with Solidworks?
RE: Can I create a shell model with Solidworks?
You can extract faces of a solid using "Insert --> Surface --> Offset".
To export a selected surface body (and not the entire model), select that body and then "File --> Save As" and select the file format of choice (IGES, STEP, parasolid, etc. During the save, you will beasked whether you wish to export the entire file or just the selected bodies.
RE: Can I create a shell model with Solidworks?
For Zero Thickness in SW... Use Surfaces...
You can Also Shift your model back and forth between solid and surface during design time...
Such as Removing a surface from a solid...
and knitting surfaces back into a solid...
These are often used when importing corupt files from other CAD programs, usually in Catia IGS format, to repair models...
But if you can find other uses for them, Put 'em to use...
Good Luck
---Josh S
RE: Can I create a shell model with Solidworks?