Stainless Steel Sheet Metal Design: A Game-Changer in SOLIDWORKS 2019

As designers and engineers, we're always on the lookout for ways to improve our workflow and enhance productivity. In this article, we'll explore a significant update in SOLIDWORKS 2019 that's sure to revolutionize your stainless steel sheet metal design process: the integration of material properties with sheet metal manufacturing characteristics.

'Stainless Steel Sheet Metal Design'

In previous versions of SOLIDWORKS, defining a part's material and its sheet metal manufacturing characteristics were two separate tasks. However, with the latest release, SOLIDWORKS 2019 introduces a new level of intelligence that bridges this gap, making it easier than ever to create accurate and efficient designs.

To get started, you'll need to locate your 'Custom Materials' database on your shared network drive, which can be found in Tools > Options > File Locations. This database contains all the materials you've defined in SOLIDWORKS, along with their corresponding properties.

Once you have access to this database, you can start creating new materials from scratch or copy an existing material as a starting point. For example, you could create a custom material for AISI 304 Steel and then select a gauge table for aluminum in the sheet metal properties.

One of the key benefits of this update is that it allows you to define a part's material and its sheet metal manufacturing characteristics simultaneously. This means that when you select a material, SOLIDWORKS will automatically apply the corresponding sheet metal parameters, eliminating the need for manual adjustments.

To access these new features, simply open your SOLIDWORKS 2019 software and create a new part from scratch or edit an existing one. In the feature manager, right-click on the material you want to edit and select 'Edit Material.' From there, you can add new custom materials, copy existing ones, and even rename them for easy organization.

In addition to the improved material properties, SOLIDWORKS 2019 also introduces a new 'Sheet Metal' tab within each material's properties. This tab allows you to define specific sheet metal processes and parameters for each material, giving you even more control over your designs.

For example, you could create a custom material for 1060 Alloy – SM, which includes its own set of sheet metal parameters such as bend radii and gauges. You can also rename the material for easy identification, making it simple to differentiate between different materials within your database.

In conclusion, the integration of material properties with sheet metal manufacturing characteristics in SOLIDWORKS 2019 is a game-changer for designers and engineers working with stainless steel sheet metal. With this update, you'll be able to create accurate and efficient designs while improving your overall productivity. By leveraging the new features and tools available in SOLIDWORKS 2019, you can take your stainless steel sheet metal design process to the next level.

Stainless steel sheet metal design