Add a tab to a sheet metal flange, remove interfering material if appropriate, or bridge two flanges from the same sheet metal model. Sheet metal tabs are reflected in the model and in the flat pattern.

The Tab feature allows you to add a tab to a sheet metal flange, remove interfering material if appropriate, or bridge two flanges from the same sheet metal model. Tabs are reflected in the model and in the flat pattern.

Click the Tab feature tool on the Part Studio toolbar. Select a sketch representing the tab parallel to the flange on which you wish to place the tab. Multiple sketches can be selected. Click the Flange to merge field in the dialog and select the flange on which you wish to place the tab. Note that you can select any number of flanges that are parallel to the sketch. Click the checkmark to accept the new tab.

Use the Subtraction scope when removing interfering material. In this example, the sketch spans two flanges. Click the Tab feature. Select the two tab sketch profiles. Both flanges are automatically selected. Click the Flanges to merge field in the dialog and deselect the flange to be used for the Subtraction scope. Click the Subtraction scope in the dialog and reselect the flange in the graphics area. If specified, enter an offset measurement value, to increase the measurement between the tab and flange.

Click the checkmark to accept the new flange.

To create a tab:

  1. While in a Part Studio, with a sheet metal model active, click Sheet metal tab feature icon.

    Sheet metal tab dialog

  2. Select a sketch representing the tab parallel to the flange on which you wish to place the tab. Note that you can use multiple sketches.
  3. In the Flange to merge field, select the flange on which you wish to place the tab. Note that you can select any number of flanges that are parallel to the sketch.
  4. Click Accept checkmark icon to accept the tab feature.

Example of selecting two sketches on one flange/wall

Result:

Result of selecting two sketches on one flange/wall

Example of selecting one sketch parallel to two walls (flanges)

Result:

Result of selecting one sketch parallel to two walls (flanges)

Use the Subtraction scope when removing interfering material. The sketch that spans two flanges:

Example of using the Subtraction scope when removing interfering material

The resulting tabs with the Subtraction scope selected (highlighted in orange):

Example of the resulting tabs with the Subtraction scope selected/highlighted in orange

The result (the Subtraction offset in this case is 0.05 - the minimal default):

Example of the result of the subtraction offset

The flat pattern:

Example of the newly created flat pattern

The Subtraction scope is not limited to the selection of sheet metal parts; normal parts can also be selected for the Subtraction scope.

The sketch that spans two flanges:

Example before bridging two flanges or walls

The resulting tabs with both flanges selected as the Flange to merge:

Example bridging two flanges or walls with both flanges selected as the flanges to merge

The result:

Example of the final result when bridging two flanges or walls

When a sheet metal model is active (in the process of being created or edited), additional tools are available:

  • Flange icon Flange - Create a wall for each edge selected, connected to the selected edge with a bend.
  • Hem icon Hem - Create a hem for each edge/face selected, on an existing sheet metal part.
  • tab icon Tab - Add a tab to a sheet metal flange.
  • Sheet metal bend button Bend - Bend a sheet metal model along a reference line, with additional bend control options.
  • Make joint icon Make joint - Convert the intersection of two walls into a joint feature, either a bend (walls joined by cylindrical geometry) or a rip (small gap between two walls).
  • Corner icon Corner - Modify a corner type and relief scale.
  • Bend relief icon Bend relief - Modify a bend relief (the small cut made where the bend end meets the free edge), depth and relief width.
  • Modify joint icon Modify joint - Make changes to an existing joint, such as converting a bend to a rip. Currently available through the flat view table.
  • Corner break - Break the corner on existing sheet metal parts by applying a fillet or chamfer. Select a corner edge or vertex and specify corner break type and distance. It is recommended to use this feature after all flanges and joints of the Sheet metal model are finalized.
  • Sheet metal table and flat view icon Sheet metal table and flat view - Open and close the Rip/Bend tables and the visualization of the sheet metal model flat pattern. Use this table to convert rips to bends and vice versa.
  • Finish sheet metal model icon Finish sheet metal model - Closes (deactivates) the Sheet metal model; creates a feature in the Feature list.

To create a tab:

  1. While in a Part Studio, with a sheet metal model active, tap Sheet metal tab feature icon.
  2. Select a sketch representing the tab parallel to the flange on which you wish to place the tab. Note that you are able to use multiple sketches.
  3. In the Flange to merge field, select the flange on which you wish to place the tab. Note that you are able to select any number of flanges that are parallel to the sketch.
  4. Tap Accept checkmark icon to accept the tab feature.

Example of selecting two sketches on one flange/wall

Result:

Result of selecting two sketches on one flange/wall

Example of selecting one sketch parallel to two walls (flanges)

Result:

Result of selecting one sketch parallel to two walls (flanges)

Use the Subtraction scope when removing interfering material. The sketch that spans two flanges:

Example before bridging two flanges or walls

The resulting tabs with the Subtraction scope selected (highlighted in orange):

Example of the resulting tabs with the Subtraction scope selected/highlighted in orange

The result (the Subtraction offset in this case is 0.05 - the minimal default):

Example of the result of the Subtraction offset

The flat pattern:

Example of the newly created flat pattern

The Subtraction scope is not limited to the selection of sheet metal parts; normal parts are also able to be selected for the Subtraction scope.

The sketch that spans two flanges:

Step 1 in bridging two flanges or walls

The resulting tabs with both flanges selected as the Flange to merge:

Example bridging two flanges or walls with both flanges selected as the flanges to merge

The result:

Example of the final result when bridging two flanges or walls

When a sheet metal model is active (in the process of being created or edited), additional tools are available:

  • Flange icon Flange - Create a wall for each edge selected, connected to the selected edge with a bend.
  • Tab icon Tab - Add a tab to a sheet metal flange.
  • Make joint icon Make joint - Convert the intersection of two walls into a joint feature, either a bend (walls joined by cylindrical geometry) or a rip (small gap between two walls).
  • Corner icon Corner - Modify a corner type and relief scale.
  • Bend relief icon Bend relief - Modify a bend relief (the small cut made where the bend end meets the free edge), depth and relief width.
  • Corner break - Break the corner on existing sheet metal parts by applying a fillet or chamfer. Select a corner edge or vertex and specify corner break type and distance. It is recommended to use this feature after all flanges and joints of the Sheet metal model are finalized.
  • Finish sheet metal model icon Finish sheet metal model - Closes (deactivates) the Sheet metal model; creates a feature in the Feature list.