Edge Flanges

You can add edge flanges to one or more edges.

General edge flange characteristics include:
  • Thickness is linked to the thickness of the sheet metal part.
  • Sketch line of the profile must lie on the selected edge.

Linear

You can add flanges to one or more linear edges, as well as adjust angle, position, etc.

Example:

Curved Edges

You can add curved edge flanges to edge flanges created off a planar base and on nonlinear (circular) edges of nonplanar faces.

Examples:
Single curved edge Multiple tangent edges
Cylindrical Lofted
 
Nonlinear (circular)  
  • Multiple edges must be tangent but can include linear and curved segments.
  • Specify No Relief or add relief using Custom Relief Type in the PropertyManager.
      No relief Relief Type: Rectangle
  • Default direction of the edge flange is normal to the base flange at the edge.

  • For flattening and unflattening:
    • When flattening bends, SOLIDWORKS automatically selects the fixed face or edge.
    • If you create an edge flange on a curved edge that is based on another edge flange, you must select both bends to unflatten or flatten the nonlinear edge flange.
    • You can select only planar or linear entities that do not belong to the edge flange that is along nonlinear edges. For example, the base flange is the curved flange and the edge flange is the planar portion:

Supported: Cut is inside the bend area
Supported: Cut intersects the bend area of one edge flange and the flat portion of the same edge flange
Unsupported: Cut intersects bend area and flat portion and at least the bend area of a second edge flange

Limitations

  • You can select additional edges if they are tangent to the original edges.

  • Only certain bend positions are available for edge flanges created on the straight edge of lofted or cylindrical parts.
  • You can apply a custom bend allowance, but you can use only one bend table in the part.
  • For curved edge flanges, you cannot create edge flanges on nonlinear edges of lofted bends, conical bends, or swept flanges.