flange wall and flat wall

[tranand3]

What is the difference between a flange wall and a flat
wall in sheet metal design?They look the same.

 

[jdurston]

The sketch section is different.

On a Flat wall, you can control the shape of the wall as if you were looking perpendicular to the wall itself. While the wall remains "flat", you can sketch whatever shape you like between the 2 attachment points (as long as it's valid.)

On a Flange wall (which used to be Extrude or Swept wall), you can control the edge x-section via the sketch. For example, a hem is done via Flange wall. This wall is not flat (although if you draw just a line, then it is flat). Flange wall can be swept along adjacent tangent edges. A flat wall cannot. The sketch is similar to a thin wall protrusion.

If PTC would consider combining these 2 wall functions to control the 2 sections simultaneously, then you could get a super wall feature which would allow you do a lot more than either combined. Either a combo feature or have a wall that you can switch between types of walls without having to delete and recreate them.

When, deciding whether to choose Flat or Flange, consider the properties of each feature and how they can be modified or changed before deciding on which to use.

 

[tranand3]

Thank You

 

[SheetMetalWiz]

Flange walls also have more options for bend/corner relief. I usually just go with flange walls.