sheet metal, flat sketch modification question

[thebadgerette]

I'm very new to Solidworks and trying to figure out how to do some sheet metal work.

I decided to play with corner variations, and while I know how to SHELL and RIP which will give me a simple sheet metal box with butted edges I decided I wanted a more finished corner and would like to add a bend around tab to the corner.

How do I modify the sheet metal flat sketch to do that? I can't seem to add to the corners, I can't seem to cut back the flat design so a tab can be added; everything I've tried gets me a "this area is too complicated" error message from solidworks 2K .

I could, I guess, go back to the Sketch 1 feature and reshape the rectangle, adding the flanges and all, but I think there's just *got* to be a better way to do this. Figure the boss liked the butted corner, then changed his mind and wanted wrap around tabs; I do NOT want to redraw the shape from scratch, that's the AutoCad way to do it.

Thanks

 

[SBaugh]

I don't quite understand what your going for. It might be because it Wednesday and Friday is around the corner.

But if you like, I could take a look at it. Scott Baugh, CSWP
George Koch Sons,LLC
Evansville, IN 47714
sjb@kochllc.com

 

[thebadgerette]

actually, I should take this message off the list because I figured out how to add the welding tabs.

I haven't tried it (yet) but I think it's possible to get the whole flat pattern onto a drawing, including cuts and relief cuts - that's my project for this afternoon. I'm teaching myself SolidWorks and trying to learn all the really interesting quirks before I have to deal with them in a job.

Thank you for the answer though, I'm sure I'll have other DOH! questions.

 

[MadMango]

I think I know what you are after... you'll have to rollback the Process Bends so you have your Flat Patern, then you should be able to add all the tabs you want, making sure that no material overlaps another, or you will get the "Too Complicated" error from SWX. After that, a Rebuild should get you the finished model.

I hope this helps.

 

[thebadgerette]

hm. I'll try rollback; I tried once and it didn't like it. I also tried to cut back part of the flat pattern so I wouldn't have overlaps, and it didn't like *that* either.

I made the open ended box using a rectangle, then added the 3 sides, ripped, then decided to add the tabs. I should try making the rectangle, extruding, then shell with an open end and rip then try to add. I think I've got something wrong with the order of the tabs and their bends because I can't figure out how to get the dimensions onto the flat pattern drawing, but continued futzing may clarify.

Thank you