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Onshape Sheet Metal

Design cost-effective, lightweight, and durable sheet metal parts with Onshape

Why design sheet metal parts?

Sheet metal designs are favored due to their versatility, cost-effectiveness, and durability. This process allows for the creation of a diverse range of products, catering to industries like automotive, aerospace, and consumer electronics. Sheet metal's ability to be easily cut, bent, and shaped, combined with its strength-to-weight ratios, makes it an ideal choice. Onshape is reshaping and improving the way designers tackle the inherent challenges associated with this type of product.

Key Features

Flexible Modeling

In Onshape, you can initiate a sheet metal design using several methods: you can convert a solid part into sheet metal; design from a flat sketch, then fold; use flange tools to add edges and features; or directly import and adapt existing sheet metal designs. Easily create lofted sheet metal for smooth transitions that remain editable and manufacturable.

Simultaneous Sheet Metal

With Onshape, users can simultaneously create and preview flat patterns. This visualization of the flattened design helps streamline the manufacturing planning process. Additionally, the platform supports direct exports to standard formats like DXF or DWG for fabrication needs.

Precision Designs

Use sheet metal bend parameters like K-factor, bend allowances, and bend deductions, to ensure accurate flat pattern generation for your sheet metal designs. It's crucial for product manufacturability, ensuring precise dimensions and fit, by accounting for material stretch and compression during bending.

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Advanced Collaboration & Version Control

Integrated within every aspect of Onshape's framework, is a robust advanced collaboration toolset. Design teams can effortlessly share, comment, and maintain version histories. This holistic approach reduces miscommunication, enhances team synchronization, and tracks design evolutions.

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Explore More

Become a sheet metal expert with this handpicked collection of Tech Tips and instructional videos.

Master advanced sheet metal techniques, with help from the Learning Center and Help Documentation

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Got Questions?

For more answers or to ask a question yourself, head over to the Onshape Forum.

Can simultaneous sheet metal help me design faster?

How can I import legacy sheet metal parts when switching from another system?

Can I create louvers, embosses, bridges, and other formed features?

Are you able to make lofted sheet metal parts in Onshape?

Can you build off of lofted sheet metal features?