Creating Normal Cuts

With the Normal Cut tool, you can normalize all non-normal side walls in sheet metal models.

The Normal Cut tool applies a normal cut feature that is independent from the tools that removed the material. You can select several faces to define a normal sheet metal side wall (not top or bottom faces).

Although you can create extruded cuts with the Normal Cut option, this option is limited to individual extruded cut features.

To create a normal cut:

  1. Open system_dir:\Users\Public\Public Documents\SOLIDWORKS\SOLIDWORKS 2018\samples\whatsnew\sheet metal\normal_cut.sldprt.
    The part has lofted cuts with non-normal side walls.

  2. Click Normal Cut (Sheet Metal toolbar) or Insert > Sheet Metal > Normal Cut.
  3. In the PropertyManager, under Faces For Normal Cut , select Auto Propagation.
  4. In the graphics area, select the face of the cut.

    The software selects all faces of the cut.
  5. In the PropertyManager, under Normal Cut Parameters, select Extent.
    With Extent, the maximum amount of geometry is cut based on the outline at the top and bottom face.
  6. Click .
    The faces of the cut are normal to the top and bottom faces of the part.