SolidWorks design software is designed to aid manufacturers with the design of sheet metal parts that can be easily manufactured. Primarily used to bridge the gap between designers and sheet metal manufacturers SolidWorks helps to keep prices down, while increasing production times. SolidWorks’ user-friendly interface makes it possible for users to model completed parts, creating three-dimensional models which can be used by the manufacturer to build the final product Something that the SolidWorks design software makes it possible for engineers and fabricators to do is to determine, for the purpose of each project, what sort of metal they will be using. This is done by inputting factors like how thick the sheet metal is. You can then design sheet metal products virtually before bends are made, and to determine whether particular cuts and folds are indeed practical to produce. In addition, individual pieces can be named and labeled so as to avoid confusion about which parts to fabricate. This will also help in assembly because every component will be accurately marked with information such as where they fit in the overall sheet metal design. SolidWorks design software also allows engineers to design of layered or multiple extrusions, add form radius and other features after the panels have been fitted together in the computer model. This will help both the designer and fabricator to align perforations, tabs, or other attributes that need to line up on several complicated sheet metal panels. The SolidWorks design system enables the design and manufacture of very complicated features. The designer can test tolerances and clearances during the design phase to ensure a problem free assembly of the product. Using this software engineers can create designs using small gaps so as to allow the software to unfold the computer model. This feature will be extremely useful if the panels will fit together very closely in the finished product and need to be seen as individual components by the fabricator so that they can be properly made. By far the most useful feature of the SolidWorks metal design software is that it will allow you to adjust the design when needed. The software will also help designers to take into account that the design changes might have an effect on the rest of the design which might not be immediately obvious. The obvious benefit of this is that any design flaws are found prior to the start of the manufacturing process, most likely saving you a great deal of time and wasted materials. Engineers find themselves better able to move a product from conception and modeling through to a workable design if using Solidworks metal design software for sheet metal manufacturing. When the designer’s plan is clearly laid out and easy to understand, the manufacturer will be able able to produce components which will perform exactly as the designer intended, resulting in efficiency in the product’s manufacture and production. Increased efficiency makes for shorter production times, less material being wasted, reduced production costs all round, and a higher profit margin. Marc Anderes is the VP of Operations of Maloya Laser that is dedicated to Metal Manufacturing and Laser Cutting with state-of-the-art laser technologies, servicing machinery, aerospace, medical, scientific and transportation needs.
