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How to Configure Sheet Metal Gauge in SOLIDWORKS


Sheet Metal Gauge is a setting SOLIDWORKS parts are assigned as soon as the first sheet metal feature is created. It’s easy to create and manage multiple variations of similar parts or assemblies using configurations. We frequently configure the values of dimensions, the suppression state of features, and part materials. Sheet metal parts are no different, and we can easily create configurations with different lengths, bend angles, cutouts, etc.

But what if you want to create configurations with different sheet metal gauge values? “Thickness” is an automatically generated Global Variable in SOLIDWORKS sheet metal parts. The variable itself can’t be configured. What we can configure is the dimension that sets the “Thickness” value. The bad news is it’s not immediately obvious how to do it. The good news is it’s actually easy to do once you know how. So, in this blog, I’m going to show you two easy methods to configure sheet metal gauges.

Thickness global variable in the Equations folder. Thickness Global Variable in a SOLIDWORKS Sheet Metal Part

Sheet Metal Gauge Configuration – Method 1: Equations, Global Variables, and Dimensions Dialog Box

Using this method, we need to start from the Configuration Manager. Prep the model by creating some new configurations in advance. After this step, you should have two or more configurations that are geometrically identical but are named appropriately for whatever gauge they’re going to be set to later. Activate the configuration you want to modify.

Configurations created in advance.

Configurations created in advance. Create One or More New Configurations

Now we can configure the gauge. The Equations, Global Variables, and Dimensions dialog box can be used to vary the value of “Thickness”, but it’s not easy to do from the default “Equation View” tab. Switch to the “Dimension View” tab where you can easily find the “Thickness@Sheet-Metal” dimension and configure its value.

Setting Thickness value for one Configuration

Setting Thickness value for one Configuration Configuring a Dimension on the Dimension View Tab

Click inside the “Value/Equation” cell for the dimension that controls the thickness and type a new value, but don’t hit the Tab key or the green check yet! Since there are already multiple configurations in this model the configuration selection icon appears on the right side of the cell.

Click on the selection arrow on the right side of the icon, then select “This Configuration” to avoid changing the value of all configurations. We only want to change the active configuration to the new value.

After you hit the OK button to exit the dialog box, test the change by switching back to the original configuration. Your model should now rebuild with a different “Thickness” value each time you change active configurations.

Sheet Metal Gauge Configuration – Method 2: Modify Configurations Dialog Box

The previous method works fine, but I’ve saved the best for last. (At least in my opinion.) With this method, we don’t need to create new configurations first, and then modify the value of the dimension “Thickness@Sheet-Metal” one configuration at a time. Instead, we can do it all at once from a single dialog box. The trick is finding the dimension so we can right-click on it.

The easiest way is to select the “Sheet-Metal” feature in the tree to make the dimension appear somewhere on the model in the graphics area. If you have Instant3D turned off, you’ll need to double-click the “Sheet-Metal” feature instead.

Finding the Sheet Metal Thickness Dimension.

Finding the Sheet Metal Thickness Dimension. Sheet-Metal Feature & Thickness@Sheet-Metal Dimension

You can also find the dimensions in the tree. Right-click the Annotations folder first and make sure the setting “List Annotations in Tree View” is checked. If it is, you should be able to find “Thickness@Sheet-Metal” under the “Unassigned Items” annotation view.

Sheet Metal Thickness in Tree View

Sheet Metal Thickness in Tree View Annotations Listed in Tree View

Right-click on the “Thickness@Sheet-Metal” dimension in either the graphics area or the tree. Click “Configure Dimension” to bring up the underutilized Modify Configurations tool.

Context Menu with Configure Dimension

Context Menu with Configure Dimension Right-Click and Select Configure Dimension

Create Configurations with Modify Configurations Dialog Box

Create Configurations with Modify Configurations Dialog Box Sheet Metal Thickness in the Modify Configurations Dialog Box

With the amazing and often overlooked Modify Configurations dialog box you can now do everything required to rename existing configurations, create new configurations, and set the value of “Thickness@Sheet-Metal” per configuration.

Once you’ve filled out the cells, click either the Apply or OK button to complete your changes. If you hit Apply and keep the dialog box open, you can test your new configurations by double-clicking their names to activate them.

Conclusion

The ability to configure sheet metal gauge in SOLIDWORKS is not necessarily intuitively obvious to all of us. But once you know how it’s quick and easy to do.

I’ve also created a short Video Tech Tip for our TriMech Group YouTube Channel which demonstrates the two methods described above. While you’re there check out our other great content!



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