Modeling and technical drawings of a sheet metal casing using NX-CAD
- Objective: The objective of this project was to model a sheet metal component referencing an already established geometry, as well as creating the drawings for communication with the production floor.
- Introduction: Sheet metal is one of the fundamental forms used in metalworking. Sheet metal parts have several advantages, including high strength (through the use of dimples, bends, gussets, etc), good dimensional accuracy, good surface finish, low cost, and economical mass production for large quantities.
- Design methodology / approach: The basic methodology consists of creating the flat pattern, adding the necessary flanges and bends, un-bending, adding dimples and beads, and then rebending.
- Description:
In order to create the sheet metal part, we first start with the base feature: A tab. From this tab, we create a rectangular cutout at the bottom that will make room for the flanges to be bent. Two longitudinal bends that will serve as vertical walls for the mounting holes are then created. The flanges are added to these longitudinal bends, and the mounting holes are created on each flange. The corners are rounded off, and the piece is unbent in order to add the beads and dimples. The part is then re-bent and a flat pattern is created. The drawing is then made using third-angle projection, as is customary in North America.
- Drawings
The drawings are the way in which the designers can communicate the dimensions, tolerance, and fabrication process to the manufacturing floor. Barring data on the machines that will be used during manufacturing, a general tolerance table is used, such as Vista Industrial Products' Industry Roecommended Sheet Metal Tolerances .
- Conclusion
In this project I have explained the modeling process to model and draw a sheet metal casing utilizing 1mm SAE 304 Stainless Steel using NX CAD. I have also explained my approach to determining the tolerances to be used on the part.