SheetMetal Extrude

SheetMetal Extrude
Menu location
SheetMetal → Extend Face
Workbenches
SheetMetal
Default shortcut
E
Introduced in version
-
See also
None

Description

The SheetMetal Extrude command extends a sheet metal plate at a selected edge face.

It creates a simple extension along the face normal of the selected edge face:

If an outline sketch is added it creates interlocking geometry to close a profile:

Three profiles with outline sketches to add → three results

Usage

Simple Extension

1. Select one or more edge face(s) to be extended.
2. There are several ways to invoke the command:
   • Press the Extend Face button.
   • Select the Sheet Metal → Extend Face option from the menu.
   • Right-click in the Tree view or the 3D view and select the Sheet Metal → Extend Face option from the context menu.
   • Use the keyboard shortcut: E.
3. An Extend object will be created and the Extend Parameters Task panel opens (introduced in version 0.5.00).

   At each selected face a new face extension is extruded.

4. Optionally press the Select button and add or remove faces.
   • Press the Preview button to finish the selection and display the changes.
5. Set the parameters in the Task panel.
6. Press the OK button to finish the command and close the Task panel.
7. Optionally adjust the parameters in the Property editor.

Task panel

A Task panel was introduced in version 0.5.00

Double-click an existing Extend object in the Tree view to re-open the Task panel and edit the parameters.

• Select: Changes the amount of faces in the base Object property.
• Length: Sets the length property.
• Offset A: Sets the gap 1 property.
• Offset B: Sets the gap 2 property.
• Refine: Toggles the Refine property.

Interlocking Extension

(Prepare a sketch for interlocking tabs)

1. Select the edge face to be extended.
2. Invoke the command as described above.
3. Press the OK button to finish the command and close the Task panel.
4. In the Property editor press the ... button of the DataSketch property.
5. The Link dialog window opens.
   • Select the prepared sketch from the list
   • Press the OK button to close the dialog.
6. Set the property DataUse Subtraction to true to create cut-outs to make room for the extensions.
7. Set the property DataOffset to adjust the clearance around the extension.

Three profiles → position of the sketches → results without cut-outs → final results

Notes

• A sketch can contain more than one outline.

After inserting a sketch, at least one of its outlines must at least touch one opposite face or the tool will fail to create any extension or cut-out.

Just one outline touching an opposite face is enough to create extension geometry from all outlines of the sketch.

• Each cut-out will have a cuboid shape, no matter what shape the corresponding outline sketch is.

• Shapes other than rectangles may behave little bit strange and even though the object can be unfolded, the result will not turn out as expected.

Three outline sketches and their resulting extensions: separate triangle plate with a rectangular cut-out, circle without clearance → unfold solid is split at an unexpected position

• In an extension operation it is recommended to leave the property DataRefine set to true (default).

• The extension operation with a linked sketch may fail due to coplanar issues if the face on the sketch side and the face on the opposite side are coplanar, but with opposite orientations. A small offset may help in such a case.

Properties

See also: Property editor.

A SheetMetal Extend object is derived from a Part Feature object or, if it is inside a PartDesign Body, from a PartDesign Feature object, and inherits all its properties. It also has the following additional properties:

Data

Parameters

• Database Object (LinkSub): "Base object". Link to the planar face to be extended.
• Datagap1 (Distance): "Gap from the left side". Default: 0,00 mm.
• Datagap2 (Distance): "Gap from the right side". Default: 0,00 mm.
• Datalength (Length): "Length of Wall". Default: 10,00 mm.

Parameters Ext.

• DataOffset (Distance): "Offset for subtraction". Default: 20,00 µm.
• DataRefine (Bool): "Use Refine". Default: true.
• DataSketch (Link): "Wall Sketch".
• DataUse Subtraction (Bool): "Use Subtraction". Default: false