Edge flange and miter flange in Solidworks - Step-by-Step Guide

Introduction

Edge flange and miter flange are features used to add bent edges to sheet metal parts. They help create flanges along edges and corners, making it easier to design folded sheet metal components.

When you need to add a straight bent edge along a flat sheet metal part.

When creating a flange that follows the edge of a sheet metal face.

When you want to join two flanges at a corner with a clean mitered joint.

When designing sheet metal parts that require folded edges for strength or assembly.

When preparing sheet metal parts for manufacturing with bends and flanges.

Steps

Step 1: Open your sheet metal part

- SolidWorks main window

Your sheet metal model is visible and ready for editing

Step 2: Click on the Edge Flange tool

- Sheet Metal tab on the CommandManager

Edge Flange property manager opens on the left side

Step 3: Select the edge where you want to add the flange

- Graphics area

The selected edge highlights and the flange preview appears

Step 4: Set flange parameters like flange length and angle

- Edge Flange property manager

Flange preview updates to reflect your settings

Step 5: Click OK to create the edge flange

- Edge Flange property manager

The flange is added to the sheet metal part

Step 6: To create a miter flange, click the Miter Flange tool

- Sheet Metal tab on the CommandManager

Miter Flange property manager opens

Step 7: Select the edges that form the corner for the miter flange

- Graphics area

The corner edges highlight and the miter flange preview appears

Step 8: Adjust flange lengths and miter options

- Miter Flange property manager

Preview updates showing the mitered corner

Step 9: Click OK to create the miter flange

- Miter Flange property manager

The miter flange is added with a clean corner joint

Before vs After

Before

Sheet metal part with flat edges and no flanges

After

Sheet metal part with bent edges using edge flanges and miter flanges creating folded corners

Settings Reference

Flange Length

📍 Edge Flange or Miter Flange property manager

Sets how far the flange extends from the edge

Default: 10 mm

Flange Angle

📍 Edge Flange property manager

Controls the bend angle of the flange relative to the base face

Default: 90°

Miter Type

📍 Miter Flange property manager

Determines how the miter joint is calculated between flanges

Default: Equal Length

Relief Type

📍 Edge Flange and Miter Flange property manager

Adds relief cuts to prevent material deformation at bends

Default: Rectangular

Common Mistakes

Selecting edges that are not on a sheet metal face

Edge flange and miter flange only work on sheet metal edges; selecting other edges causes errors

Always select edges on sheet metal faces when using flange tools

Setting flange length too long causing overlap

Flanges that overlap other parts cause geometry errors and manufacturing issues

Adjust flange length to avoid overlapping existing geometry

Ignoring relief settings leading to bent material tearing

Without proper relief, bends can cause material deformation or tearing

Use appropriate relief types based on material and bend requirements

Summary

Edge flange adds a bent edge along a sheet metal part edge.

Miter flange creates joined flanges at corners with a clean mitered joint.

Choose correct edges and set flange parameters carefully to avoid errors.

Practice

1. What is the main purpose of an Edge Flange in SolidWorks sheet metal design?

easy

A. To create a hole in the sheet metal

B. To add a bent edge along one side of a sheet metal part

C. To flatten the sheet metal part

D. To weld two parts together

Solution

1. Step 1: Understand Edge Flange function

   An Edge Flange adds a bent edge along one side of a sheet metal part to prepare it for manufacturing.

2. Step 2: Compare options to definition

   Only To add a bent edge along one side of a sheet metal part describes adding a bent edge; others describe unrelated actions.

3. Final Answer:

   To add a bent edge along one side of a sheet metal part -> Option B

4. Quick Check:

   Edge Flange = bent edge addition [OK]

Hint: Edge Flange bends one edge of sheet metal [OK]

Common Mistakes:

• Confusing Edge Flange with hole creation
• Thinking Edge Flange flattens the part
• Mixing Edge Flange with welding

2. Which of the following is the correct syntax to create an Edge Flange in SolidWorks sheet metal feature tree?

easy

A. Right-click sheet metal face > Insert > Edge Flange

B. Right-click sketch > Insert > Miter Flange

C. Right-click part > Insert > Hole Wizard

D. Right-click face > Insert > Fillet

Solution

1. Step 1: Identify correct feature insertion

   Edge Flange is added by right-clicking a sheet metal face and selecting Insert > Edge Flange.

2. Step 2: Eliminate incorrect options

   Options B, C, and D refer to other features or wrong contexts.

3. Final Answer:

   Right-click sheet metal face > Insert > Edge Flange -> Option A

4. Quick Check:

   Edge Flange insertion = Right-click sheet metal face > Insert > Edge Flange [OK]

Hint: Edge Flange inserted from sheet metal face menu [OK]

Common Mistakes:

• Choosing Miter Flange instead of Edge Flange
• Selecting Hole Wizard for flange creation
• Using Fillet instead of flange feature

3. Given a sheet metal part with two adjacent edges, what will happen if you apply a Miter Flange to both edges with a 45° angle?

medium

A. The flanges will connect with a neat mitered corner

B. The edges will be removed

C. The part will flatten automatically

D. The flanges will overlap without corner trimming

Solution

1. Step 1: Understand Miter Flange behavior

   Miter Flange creates connected flanges with neat corner bends by trimming and joining edges.

2. Step 2: Analyze effect of 45° angle on adjacent edges

   Applying 45° Miter Flange on adjacent edges results in a clean mitered corner connection.

3. Final Answer:

   The flanges will connect with a neat mitered corner -> Option A

4. Quick Check:

   Miter Flange = neat corner connection [OK]

Hint: Miter Flange trims and joins edges neatly [OK]

Common Mistakes:

• Assuming flanges overlap without trimming
• Thinking part flattens automatically
• Believing edges get removed

4. You tried to create a Miter Flange but the corner does not form correctly and shows an error. What is the most likely cause?

medium

A. The sheet metal thickness is zero

B. You applied Edge Flange instead of Miter Flange

C. The flange lengths are too short to form a corner

D. The part is not saved

Solution

1. Step 1: Identify common Miter Flange errors

   Miter Flange errors often occur when flange lengths are too short to create a proper corner.

2. Step 2: Evaluate other options

   Edge Flange usage or unsaved part won't cause corner formation errors; zero thickness is invalid but usually caught earlier.

3. Final Answer:

   The flange lengths are too short to form a corner -> Option C

4. Quick Check:

   Miter Flange error = short flange length [OK]

Hint: Check flange length if Miter Flange corner errors occur [OK]

Common Mistakes:

• Confusing Edge Flange with Miter Flange errors
• Ignoring flange length requirements
• Assuming saving the part fixes geometry errors

5. You need to design a sheet metal box with four sides and neat corners using SolidWorks. Which combination of features should you use to create bent edges and clean corner joints?

hard

A. Use Hole Wizard to create corner holes and Edge Flange for sides

B. Use Edge Flange on each side and manually trim corners

C. Use only Base Flange and weld corners later

D. Use Miter Flange on adjacent edges to form connected flanges with mitered corners

Solution

1. Step 1: Identify feature for bent edges and corners

   Miter Flange creates connected flanges with neat mitered corners, ideal for box sides.

2. Step 2: Compare options for efficiency and quality

   Use Miter Flange on adjacent edges to form connected flanges with mitered corners uses Miter Flange to automate corner trimming and connection, better than manual trimming or welding.

3. Final Answer:

   Use Miter Flange on adjacent edges to form connected flanges with mitered corners -> Option D

4. Quick Check:

   Box corners = Miter Flange connection [OK]

Hint: Miter Flange automates neat corner joints for boxes [OK]

Common Mistakes:

• Using Edge Flange without corner trimming
• Relying on welding instead of flanges
• Confusing Hole Wizard with flange features