* claim: #5237 command-level guide follow-up * docs: add practical command guides and resource contributions (#5237) * docs: index practical guides and reject incomplete command links
68 lines
3.7 KiB
Markdown
68 lines
3.7 KiB
Markdown
Create a sheet metal base, bend an existing edge into a wall, or build a contour
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from an open sketch. The sheet metal rule supplies the material thickness and
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bend settings so the folded and flat versions describe the same part.
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#### Before you start
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| Flange type | What you need to select | Result |
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| --- | --- | --- |
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| Base | A closed region in a finished sketch. | A new flat sheet metal body. |
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| Edge | One or more supported edges of an existing sheet metal body. | Bent walls along those edges. A sketch is not required for this mode. |
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| Contour | An open chain of straight sketch lines. | A sheet following that outline, extended by the chosen distance. |
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Choose or create a **Sheet Metal Rule** before building the part. To work from
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an ordinary solid plate, use **Convert to Sheet Metal** first. An arbitrary
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solid edge does not become a sheet metal edge just by selecting Flange.
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#### Options
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| Choice | Meaning |
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| --- | --- |
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| Type | Base, Edge or Contour. The selection determines which input is appropriate. |
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| Rule | Sets thickness, bend radius, K-factor and the gaps/reliefs that keep bends manufacturable. Change thickness in the rule, not as a flange height. |
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| Height | Sets the edge flange's height. Check the height reference and preview when matching a drawing dimension. |
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| Angle | Sets how far the edge bends; **90°** makes a right-angle wall. |
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| Per-edge angle and height | Lets selected edges in one feature have different dimensions. Empty values use the common setting. |
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| Position | Places the flange relative to the selected edge. The preview shows which material remains inside or outside the original outline. |
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| Flip | Bends toward the other side of the sheet. |
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| Corner Relief Shape and size | Use the rule's setting or override relief between edge flanges of this feature. These overrides are not available for base or contour flanges. |
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| Distance | Sets the length of a contour flange's extrusion along the open sketch. |
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#### Try it: two sides of a tray
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1. Set a sheet rule with **1.5 mm** thickness and **1.5 mm** bend radius.
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2. Draw and finish an **80 × 50 mm** rectangular sketch.
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3. Choose **Flange**, select the rectangle's region and make a **Base** flange.
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4. Choose **Flange** again, select an edge and set its height to **20 mm**.
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5. Add another 20 mm flange on the opposite edge. Check the bend directions
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before confirming each feature.
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6. Use **Create Flat Pattern** to inspect the developed part and bend lines.
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#### Tips and common mistakes
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- **Do** use one edge flange feature for adjoining walls whose shared corners
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should close together. Flanges made as separate features keep their own ends.
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- **Do** inspect warnings and the flat pattern; a relief that cannot fit may be
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left out with a warning.
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- **Don't** confuse height with sheet thickness. The rule owns thickness.
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- **Don't** select a sketch point for an edge flange: choose an edge of the
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sheet. For a base flange, select a closed sketch region instead.
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#### Examples and community resources
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| Resource | What to explore | Author and licence |
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| --- | --- | --- |
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| [Editable sheet metal demo](https://github.com/tangency-labs/solidcraft/blob/main/docs/book/scripts/sheet-metal.json) | The rule, base sketch and two edge flanges used in this illustration. | SolidCraft contributors; MIT OR Apache-2.0. |
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[Contribute a tip, demo, model or screenshot](../dev/command-guides.md), explaining
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the edge or region that must be selected.
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#### See also
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{{#command sheet.hem}} returns an edge back toward the sheet.
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{{#command sheet.fold}} bends a sheet along a chosen line.
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{{#command sheet.manage_rules}} controls thickness and bend settings.
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{{#command sheet.flat_pattern}} shows the developed part.
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