Looking for a fun and practical project to showcase your design skills? Learn how to create a shot glass tray using xSheetMetal on the 3DEXPERIENCE platform. This tutorial walks you through the process of designing a sleek, hand-bendable tray, perfect for celebrations or even everyday use. 🎉
Watch the full tutorial here:
Step 1: Sketch the Base
Start with a base sketch for your tray. In this case:
Create a rectangular base and sketch handles on either side.
Add dimensions to ensure stability and clean geometry.
Mirror the handle design for symmetry and trim any excess features to complete the base outline.
Step 2: Add Sheet Metal Properties
Convert the base sketch into a sheet metal wall by applying material properties:
Set the thickness to match your available stock—in this case, 1.6mm for workshop-ready material.
Step 3: Cutouts for Glasses
Add cutouts to hold the glasses:
Sketch circular cutouts with a 30mm diameter to securely hold glasses around their midpoints.
Use a linear pattern to replicate the cutouts in two directions, aligning them to fit multiple glasses. For this design, 15 cutouts were added—enough to celebrate like a rugby team after a win! 🏆
Step 4: Design the Sidewalls
Include sidewalls to make the tray sturdy and functional. These ensure the tray can sit flat on a table, supporting the glasses securely.
Step 5: Make It Hand-Bendable
To allow the tray to be bent by hand:
Unfold the tray and add cuts along the bend lines. These cuts make the material easier to bend without heavy machinery.
Select pre-existing sketches to locate the cuts accurately, ensuring they’re spaced appropriately for optimal flexibility.
Step 6: Finalise the Design
Mirror and Pattern the Cuts: Ensure the design is balanced and symmetrical for consistent functionality.
Refold the Tray: Fold the tray back into its final shape for a polished look.
Step 7: Export to DXF for Fabrication
Export the final design to a DXF file, making it ready for cutting. With just one click, you can generate a fabrication-ready file for use with your laser cutter or CNC machine.
Versatile Applications
This tray isn’t just for shot glasses—you can repurpose the design for eggs, other small items, or even unique serving trays. With xSheetMetal and the 3DEXPERIENCE platform, your creativity is the only limit.
The xSheetMetal tool on the 3DEXPERIENCE platform makes designing practical and fun projects like this shot glass tray straightforward. From sketching to fabrication, you’ll see how easy it is to bring your ideas to life.
Watch the YouTube video to follow along and create your own design today!
Comentários