The SolidWorks computer program has been designed to help manufacturers design and create sheet metal parts. Used primarily to close the gap between designers and sheet metal manufacturers SolidWorks helps keep costs low, while increasing production times. The program enables engineers and designers to model completed parts, generating three-dimensional models which can be used by the manufacturer to build the final product One of the things that the SolidWorks CAD software makes it possible for designers and fabricators to do is to define, for the purposes of each project, what exactly they mean by sheet metal. This is done by inputting details like the thickness of the sheet metal. You can then design sheet metal components in the flat state, before bends are made, and to determine whether particular cuts and folds are indeed practical to create. Further, individual components can be labeled and named in order to avoid confusion regarding which parts should be created. Later, this also helps in manufacturing by ensuring that all sheet metal panels are accurately labeled with information regarding where they fit in the overall sheet metal design. The SolidWorks computer program will also allow for the addition of form radius, multiple or layered extrusions and other features after the panels have been constructed in the virtual design. This will help the designer and the manufacturer to align perforations, tabs, and other features that need to be lined up on a number of complicated sheet metal panels. The SolidWorks sheet metal design application allows the design and fabrication of highly complicated features. The designer can test tolerances and clearances during the design phase to ensure that the product can be easily assembled. The software enables to designers to build designs using small spaces so as to allow the software to unfold the computer model. This allows design features to stand out, so that they will be seen clearly. This feature is useful when the panels will fit together very closely in the actual product and need to be viewed separately by the manufacturer so that they can be properly made. One of the most useful features of the SolidWorks metal design software is that it will allow designers to change design features as required, unfolding a fold or removing a cut for instance. It can help designers to take into account the effects the alterations could have on the overall design. The clear advantage of this is that design flaws and inconsistencies are caught before the manufacturing process begins, likely saving you a great deal of wasted time. Engineers find that they are able to move a product from conception and modeling through to a workable design more easily if using SolidWorks and sheet metal. When the designer’s plan is clearly laid out and easy to interpret, fabricators are able to manufacture components which will perform exactly as the designer intended, leading to a more efficient production process. Efficient production makes for lower production costs, less material being wasted, shorter production times, and higher profit margins. Marc Anderes is the Vice President of Operations of Maloya Laser which specializes in Metal Manufacturing and Laser Cutting with state-of-the-art laser systems, servicing machinery, aerospace, medical, scientific and transportation requirements.
0 comments:
Post a Comment