Solidworks Sheet Metal Tab
A Tab feature adds a tab to the sheet metal part. The depth of a Tab feature is automatically set to the thickness of the sheet metal part. The direction of the depth automatically coincides with the sheet metal part to prevent a disjoint body.
Here are some additional items to note about a Tab:
To create a Tab feature in a sheet metal part:
Sketched Bend
You can add bend lines to the sheet metal part while the part is in its folded state with a sketched bend feature. This
allows you to dimension the bend line to other folded-up geometry.
Some items to note about a sketched bend feature:
• Only lines are allowed in the sketch. You can add more than one line per sketch.
• The bend line does not have to be the exact length of the faces you are bending.
A Sketched Bend feature is commonly used with a Tab feature to bend the tab.
• The sketch can be a single closed, multiple closed, or
multiple-enclosed profile. The illustration shows a single
tab feature that adds two tabs to the sheet metal part.
• The sketch must be on a plane or planar face that is
perpendicular to the direction of thickness of the sheet
metal part.
• You can edit the sketch, but you cannot edit the definition.
This is because the depth, direction, and other parameters
are set to match the parameters of the sheet metal part.
1. Create a sketch on a plane or planar face that meets the
above requirements.
2. Click Base-Flange/Tab on the Sheet Metal toolbar, or
click Insert, Sheet Metal, Tab.
The tab is added to the sheet metal part. The tab's depth and
direction are automatically set to match the parameters of
the Base Flange feature.
SolidWorks 2004
Reference Guide
Here are some additional items to note about a Tab:
To create a Tab feature in a sheet metal part:
Sketched Bend
You can add bend lines to the sheet metal part while the part is in its folded state with a sketched bend feature. This
allows you to dimension the bend line to other folded-up geometry.
Some items to note about a sketched bend feature:
• Only lines are allowed in the sketch. You can add more than one line per sketch.
• The bend line does not have to be the exact length of the faces you are bending.
A Sketched Bend feature is commonly used with a Tab feature to bend the tab.
• The sketch can be a single closed, multiple closed, or
multiple-enclosed profile. The illustration shows a single
tab feature that adds two tabs to the sheet metal part.
• The sketch must be on a plane or planar face that is
perpendicular to the direction of thickness of the sheet
metal part.
• You can edit the sketch, but you cannot edit the definition.
This is because the depth, direction, and other parameters
are set to match the parameters of the sheet metal part.
1. Create a sketch on a plane or planar face that meets the
above requirements.
2. Click Base-Flange/Tab on the Sheet Metal toolbar, or
click Insert, Sheet Metal, Tab.
The tab is added to the sheet metal part. The tab's depth and
direction are automatically set to match the parameters of
the Base Flange feature.
SolidWorks 2004
Reference Guide
