Auto Reliefs

The software automatically adds relief cuts wherever needed when inserting bends if you select Auto Relief.

The software supports the following types of relief cuts:
  • Rectangular
  • Tear
  • Obround

If you want to automatically add Rectangular or Obround reliefs, you must specify the Relief Ratio.

Tear reliefs are of the minimum size required to insert the bend and flatten the part. You can select Rip PM_CustomRelief_Tear_Rip.gif or Extend PM_CustomRelief_Tear_Extend.gif.

Relief Ratio

The distance d represents the width of the Rectangular or Obround relief cut and the depth by which the side of the Rectangular or Obround relief cut extends past the bend region. The distance d is determined by the following equation:

d = (relief ratio) * (part thickness)

The bend region is represented by the dark gray area of the diagram.
shm_auto_relief_rectanuglar.gif

The value of the relief ratio must be between 0.05 and 2.0. The higher the value, the larger the size of the relief cut added during insertion of bends.

Changing Auto Reliefs

You can change the type and size of a relief cut for a feature bend.

You cannot edit relief cuts in sheet metal parts created in versions prior to SOLIDWORKS 99.

A feature bend is different from an individual bend, in that the feature bend is an actual sheet metal feature. For example, when you have a Sketched Bend in the FeatureManager design tree, the Sketched Bend feature is the sheet metal feature, and SketchBend is the individual bend that is absorbed in the Sketched Bend feature.

To change the type and size of a relief cut for a feature bend:

  1. In the FeatureManager design tree, right-click the feature bend you want to edit, and select Edit Feature.
  2. In the PropertyManager, select Custom Relief Type.
  3. Under Custom Relief Type:
    1. Set a relief cut in Relief Type.
    2. If you selected Rectangle or Obround, change the values for Relief Width dim_lin_horiz_w.png and Relief Depth dim_lin_vert_d.png, or select Use relief ratio and set a value for Relief Ratio.
    3. If you selected Tear, click Rip PM_CustomRelief_Tear_Rip.gif or Extend PM_CustomRelief_Tear_Extend.gif.
  4. Click .

Editing All Auto Reliefs

You can change the type of auto reliefs automatically added to the bend regions in sheet metal parts.

You cannot edit relief cuts in sheet metal parts created in versions prior to SOLIDWORKS 99.

To change the type of relief cut for all bends:

  1. Right-click the Sheet-Metal feature in the FeatureManager design tree and select Edit Feature.
  2. In the PropertyManager, under Auto Relief, change the type of relief cut.
  3. If you select Rectangular or Obround, specify the Relief Ratio.
  4. Click .