Streamlining Sheet Metal Tasks Using the 3DEXPERIENCE Platform
In the agricultural industry, equipment is often exposed to harsh environments that demand durable and well-designed components. Protecting sensitive parts, such as the motors of brushcutters, is essential to ensure the longevity and reliability of machinery. In this second part of the SOLIDWORKS live demo series, we focus on how to efficiently design sheet metal parts that safeguard the motor and transmission on agricultural equipment.
Donelle, from the AMP CAD CAM Solutions team, walks us through creating a sheet metal housing for a brushcutter motor using SOLIDWORKS 2024, enhanced by the 3DEXPERIENCE Platform’s task management features.
In Part 1 of this series, the task to create a simple sheet metal design was assigned. Donelle was asked to protect the shaft connections to the motor while allowing easy access for maintenance. The challenge was to ensure the design could withstand exposure to environmental elements while maintaining functionality.
Step-by-Step Sheet Metal Design Process
In this video, Donelle receives the task assigned by Jason through the 3DEXPERIENCE Platform, highlighting how the platform facilitates efficient project management. Here's a breakdown of the design process:
Receiving the Task on 3DEXPERIENCE Platform: Donelle begins by reviewing the task assigned to her, complete with attachments and notes. The clear communication allows her to focus on the job at hand without unnecessary delays.
Sketching the Base Flange: Using SOLIDWORKS 2024, Donelle starts by sketching a simple base flange for the sheet metal part. The dimensions and thickness of the part are set to 2mm, which is appropriate for the housing.
Adding Edge Flanges: Next, she adds edge flanges to form the sides of the box. These flanges provide additional strength and protection for the motor while leaving space for future maintenance access.
Unfolding Bends and Creating Cut Extrudes: To accommodate the motor shaft and transmission, Donelle unfolds the sheet metal bends and sketches precise cut extrudes on the flanges. By linking these cuts to the plate thickness, she ensures accuracy and alignment in the design.
Flattening the Sheet Metal Part and Exporting as DXF: Once the design is complete, Donelle flattens the part and exports it as a DXF file, ready for laser cutting. This file will be used to create the physical sheet metal housing, which will be bolted onto the motor and secured in place with a square plate for added stability.
The Benefits of Using SOLIDWORKS 2024 and 3DEXPERIENCE in Sheet Metal Design
Precise Design and Customisation: SOLIDWORKS 2024 allows for detailed design of sheet metal parts, ensuring components are customised to fit the machinery perfectly. The software’s tools for adding edge flanges, cut extrudes, and other features make the design process efficient and error-free.
Streamlined Task Management: The integration with the 3DEXPERIENCE Platform enables teams to manage design tasks seamlessly. As seen in this demo, Donelle receives her tasks with all the necessary details and can mark them as complete once finished. This transparency improves communication and ensures tasks are completed on time.
Optimised for Manufacturing: The ability to export designs as DXF files directly from SOLIDWORKS simplifies the manufacturing process. This file can be sent straight to a laser cutting machine, reducing manual intervention and ensuring the sheet metal parts are produced accurately.
In the final part of this 3-part series, Alrieke will tackle the design of the brushcutter’s frame using weldments such as structural members and connection elements in SOLIDWORKS. Stay tuned to see how SOLIDWORKS 2024 can simplify complex weldment designs and improve efficiency in agricultural machinery construction.
Don’t miss out—watch the video above to see the full sheet metal design process in action.
The agricultural sector relies on robust and reliable machinery, and SOLIDWORKS 2024 provides the tools needed to ensure every component is designed for optimal performance. With the 3DEXPERIENCE Platform’s task management features, teams can collaborate effectively, keeping projects on track and ensuring designs are completed with precision.
For more insights into how SOLIDWORKS can benefit your agricultural machinery designs, contact us for a consultation.
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