A base flange

A base flange is the first feature in a new sheet metal part. When you add a base flange feature to a
Solid Works part, the part is marked as a sheet metal part. Bends are added wherever appropriate,
and sheet metal specific features are added to the Feature Manager design tree.

Some additional items to note about a base flange feature. The Base-Flange feature is created from
a sketch. The sketch can be a

 single open profile

 single closed profile
 multiple-enclosed profile

The thickness and bend radius of the Base-Flange feature become the default values for the other
sheet metal features.

To create a Base-Flange feature:

1. Create a sketch that meets the requirements above. Alternatively, you can select the Base-
Flange feature before you create a sketch (but after you select a plane). When you select the
Base-Flange feature, a sketch opens on the plane.

2. Click Base Flange/Tab on the Sheet Metal toolbar, or click Insert, Sheet Metal, and Base
Flange. The controls on the Base Flange Property Manager update according to your sketch. For
example, the Direction 1 and Direction 2 boxes do not appear for a sketch with a single closed
profile.

3. If necessary, under Direction 1 and Direction 2, set the parameters for the End Condition
and Depth
4. Under Sheet Metal Parameters:
 Set a value for Thickness to specify the sheet metal thickness.
 Select Reverse direction to thicken the sketch in the opposite direction.

5. Set a value for Bend Radius under Bend Allowance, select a bend allowance type.

 If you selected K-Factor, Bend Allowance, or Bend Deduction, types a value.

 If you selected Bend Table, select a bend table from the list, or click Browse to
browse to a bend table file.

6. Under Auto Relief, select a relief type. If you selected Rectangular or Obround:
 Select Use relief ratio and set a value for Ratio.- or -
 Clear Use relief ratio and set a value for Relief Width and Relief Depth

Bend Table - Excel Spreadsheet

New bend tables that you create for Solid Works are stored in an embedded Excel spreadsheet. You
add bend table values into the cells of the spreadsheet, ensuring that the table is read properly by
the Solid Works software.

Bend tables made in Microsoft Excel now support the following:

 All bend table types (bend deduction, bend allowance, and k-factor).
 Multiple angles in a single bend table file.
 1. In a part, click Insert, Sheet Metal, Bend Table, New. If you get a message that says inserting
a bend table may cause the developed length of the flat pattern to change, click yes.

2. In the dialog box:

a. Select an item in Units to set the unit of measurement.
b. Select an item in Type to set the bend allowance, bend deduction, or k-factor.
c. Type a path for File name, or click Browse to locate a path where you want to save
the bend table.
d. Click OK.

An embedded Excel window, containing the bend table spreadsheet, appears in the Solid
Works window. The bend table spreadsheet contains default radius, thickness, and angle
values.

3. Type the bend allowance, bend deduction, or k-factor values in the spreadsheet, depending
on your choice for Type in step
4. Click outside the table, but within the Solid Works graphics area, to close the spreadsheet.

Bend allowance & bend deduction