How to Add Tab in Sheet Metal SolidWorks: Step-by-Step Guide

To add a Tab in Sheet Metal in SolidWorks, use the Base Flange/Tab feature from the Sheet Metal toolbar. Sketch the tab profile on a face or plane, then apply the feature to create the tab as part of your sheet metal part.

Syntax

The basic steps to add a tab in Sheet Metal SolidWorks are:

• Sketch: Draw the tab shape on a selected face or plane.
• Base Flange/Tab: Use this feature to convert the sketch into a sheet metal tab.
• Parameters: Set thickness, bend radius, and direction.

This creates a tab as an extension of your sheet metal part.

text

1. Select a face or plane.
2. Create a 2D sketch of the tab shape.
3. Click Sheet Metal > Base Flange/Tab.
4. Set thickness and bend parameters.
5. Confirm to create the tab feature.

Example

This example shows how to add a rectangular tab to a sheet metal part:

text

1. Open your sheet metal part in SolidWorks.
2. Select the face where you want the tab.
3. Click Sketch and draw a rectangle for the tab.
4. Exit the sketch.
5. Go to Sheet Metal tab and select Base Flange/Tab.
6. Set thickness to 1.5 mm and bend radius to 3 mm.
7. Click OK to create the tab feature.

Output

A rectangular tab is added extending from the selected face with specified thickness and bends.

Common Pitfalls

• Not selecting the correct face or plane before sketching the tab.
• Sketch not fully defined or closed, causing errors in the tab feature.
• Incorrect thickness or bend radius settings that do not match the sheet metal standards.
• Trying to add a tab on a non-sheet metal part or without activating the Sheet Metal feature.

text

Wrong way:
- Sketch open profile.
- Try Base Flange/Tab without Sheet Metal feature.

Right way:
- Fully define closed sketch.
- Activate Sheet Metal feature first.
- Use Base Flange/Tab with correct parameters.

Quick Reference

Step	Action	Notes
1	Select face or plane	Choose where tab will attach
2	Create sketch	Draw closed shape for tab
3	Use Base Flange/Tab	Found in Sheet Metal toolbar
4	Set thickness & bend radius	Match sheet metal specs
5	Confirm feature	Tab is added to part

Key Takeaways

Use the Base Flange/Tab feature to add tabs in Sheet Metal parts.

Always sketch a fully closed profile on the correct face or plane.

Set thickness and bend radius parameters to match your sheet metal material.

Activate the Sheet Metal feature before adding tabs.

Check sketches and parameters to avoid errors when creating tabs.