Sheet Metal Fabrication using Solid Works®

There are many computer-aided design (CAD) software applications available today to designers and engineers.  One of those CAD choices is Solid Works®, which can be used in mechanical engineering, aerospace and defense, consumer products, the building and architectural fields, other fields of engineering, and many other applications such as in the fields of medicine, energy, electronics, manufacturing and industry.  It offers the ability to design in three dimensions instead of two.  It is a para solid-based system and utilizes parametric feature-based solid modeling where solid objects can be represented in a computer system and manipulated.  The para solid geometric modeling kernel is used by Solid Works®, which is what allows modeling to be used.  A design will start in two dimensions such as a photo or a drawing and will be developed into a three dimensional solid.  There are special tools that aid in the design of sheet metal.  A component library of pre-designed components allows for a designer to choose from a design and not have to start a design at step one.  One thing that can be done that is effective in Solid Works® is the ability to produce animated instructions for assembly of a manufactured product.  Software for managing data is also available so that versions of product design releases can easily be kept track of.

Sheet Metal Design Tools

A tool especially for the sheet metal designer is Smart Fasteners Technology.  Solid Works® also allows users to work with weights and materials regarding their designs so that they can reduce costs.  Design structural analysis can be accomplished by using the Finite Element Analysis (FEA) software.  Another useful tool is DFMX press that allows for manufacturing testing via computer before objects are already manufactured and design flaws are found.  Using this tool also allows money to be saved in the event that a flaw is found before it went to production.  Imagine if a design went to production and the amount of money that would be lost if the product had to be pulled and could not be sold.  Modeling from customer specifications can be done more effectively by being able to import data directly.  After all of the design is complete for the sheet metal design, Solid Works® gives users the ability through 3DVIA Composer to produce technically accurate manuals as well as user manuals so that users know how to use the product.  Finally, a design checker will ensure that the final design complies with the specifications of a client or the company using Solid Works®.

Training to use Solid Works®

One can earn a certification through the Solid Works® company by taking the Certified Solid Works® Professional Sheet Metal exam and earning at least a 75%.  It is recommended that the exam participant first take the training courses called Solid Works® Essentials and Sheet Metal.  An example of an exam question could be to give the mass of a certain part or the elongation of a bent metal part with a given K-Factor.

Sample Use of Solid Works®

Maloya is a company that specializes in the manufacturing of metal.  Maloya not only focuses on producing metal for the process machinery industry but also for aerospace, architectural, transportation, the medical and scientific fields and more.  They have employed Solid Works® for reverse engineered products that were already manufactured as well as for programming to print and for digitizing as well as scanning for flat patterns. Through using IT resources and Solid Works® parametric modeling, they can work with virtual clients as well.  Maloya uses a CO2 laser for cutting and works with a plethora of metals.
Three dimensional modeling software is a popular tool used to design products in the manufacturing industry among other industries.  There are many options, with Solid Works® being at the forefront of a myriad of software tools for the designer and engineer.

Reto Hug is President of Maloya Laser which focuses on complex Metal Fabrication and <A href=”http://www.maloyalaser.com”>laser cutting technologies</a> using <A href=”http://www.maloyalaser.com/index.php”>advanced laser technologies</a> for medical, aerospace, scientific and transportation needs.