SheetMetal SketchOnSheet

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SheetMetal SketchOnSheet

Menu location
SheetMetal → Sketch On Sheet metal
Workbenches
SheetMetal
Default shortcut
M S
Introduced in version
-
See also
None

Description

The Sketch On Sheet metal command cuts holes along the folded walls of a sheet metal object. For the hole layout a sketch is used.

In contrast to the PartDesign Pocket command, where holes are just cut along the sketch normal (local z axis), this tool acts as if it would unfold the sheet metal object, cut the holes, and refold the object.

Usage

  1. Select a planar face
  2. Select a coplanar sketch (i.e. lying on the same plane) for the hole layout (preferably from the tree view).
    • Note: Don't forget the Control/Command key!
  3. Activate the Sketch On Sheet metal command using the:
    • Sketch On Sheet metal button
    • SheetMetal → Sketch On Sheet metal drop down menu
    • keyboard shortcut: M then S

Notes

  • The sketch may contain more than just one outline.
  • Any outline has to touch the planar face, at least, otherwise it won't cut a hole at all.

Properties

See also: Property editor.

A SheetMetal SketchOnSheet object is derived from a Part Feature object and inherits all its properties. It also has the following additional properties:

Data

Base

  • DataLabel (String): Default value: SketchOnSheet (+ a sequential number for second and following items).
    The user editable name of this object, it may be any arbitrary UTF8 string.
  • Data (hidden)Base Feature (Link): Base Feature. Link to the parent feature.
  • Data (hidden)_Body (LinkHidden): Hidden link to the parent body.

Parameters

  • DataSketch (Link): "Sketch on Sheetmetal". Link to the hole layout/cut-out sketch.
  • Database Object (LinkSub): "Base Object". Link to the planar face where the cut-out starts.
  • Datakfactor (FloatConstraint): "Gap from Left Side". Default: 0,50.

Example

A simple thingamajig

Preparation

This thingamajig is made of a folded sheet metal object with holes added.
And so one open contour sketch for the sheet metal and one sketch for the hole layout have to be prepared in advance.
One straight line of the first sketch must be coplanar to the other sketch plane, this will result in coplanar sketch and face used in the next steps.

Just a contour and a hole layout

Workflow

  1. Create a folded sheet metal object
    1. Select the contour sketch
    2. Press the Make Base Wall button
      or use the keyboard shortcut: C then F


  2. Cut some holes
    1. Select the planar face
    2. Select the hole layout sketch
    3. Press the Sketch On Sheet metal button
      or use the keyboard shortcut: M then S


      Done!

  3. Some hints
    1. Check if the folded object's thickness is built to the right side.


      The yellow contour should lie on the top face of the bottom fold (as shown).
      To reverse direction set the value of Bend Side property (Outside <-> Inside).

    2. Hole shapes not touching the used planar face won't cut holes into the folded object.

      The lower rectangle which is hardly touching said face does cut a hole while the upper slot shape doesn't.