Forming tools in Solidworks - Step-by-Step Guide

Introduction

Forming tools in SolidWorks help you create shapes by pressing or shaping sheet metal. They solve the problem of making complex bends or shapes without manually modeling each detail.

When you need to create a dimple or emboss on sheet metal parts.

When your design requires louvers or louvered vents in sheet metal.

When you want to add a lanced tab or cutout shape quickly.

When you need to form a flange or bead shape without extra sketches.

When you want to reuse a shape multiple times on different sheet metal parts.

Steps

Step 1: Open

- SolidWorks and load your sheet metal part

Your sheet metal model appears on screen

Step 2: Go to

- Sheet Metal tab on the CommandManager

Sheet Metal tools become visible

Step 3: Click

- Forming Tools dropdown menu

A list of available forming tool shapes appears

Step 4: Select

- A forming tool shape like dimple or louvers

The tool preview appears on your sheet metal part

Step 5: Position

- The forming tool on the sheet metal face by dragging or entering coordinates

The forming tool is placed exactly where you want it

Step 6: Click

- OK or green checkmark button

The forming tool shape is created on the sheet metal part

Before vs After

Before

Sheet metal flat face with no shapes or features

After

Sheet metal face shows a dimple or louver shape formed into the metal

Settings Reference

Forming Tool Shape

📍 Forming Tools dropdown menu in Sheet Metal tab

Choose the shape to form on the sheet metal

Default: Dimple

Positioning

📍 Forming Tool property manager

Set exact location of the forming tool on the sheet metal face

Default: Drag on model

Depth or Height

📍 Forming Tool property manager

Control how deep or tall the forming shape is

Default: Depends on selected tool

Common Mistakes

Trying to apply forming tools on non-sheet metal parts

Forming tools only work on sheet metal faces and will not create shapes on solid parts

Make sure your part is a sheet metal type before using forming tools

Placing forming tool off the sheet metal face

The tool will not create a shape if it is not properly positioned on a valid face

Drag or enter coordinates to place the tool fully on the sheet metal face

Summary

Forming tools create shapes by pressing into sheet metal faces.

Use them to add dimples, louvers, tabs, and other common sheet metal features quickly.

They only work on sheet metal parts and require correct positioning on the face.

Practice

1. What is the primary purpose of forming tools in SolidWorks sheet metal design?

easy

A. To shape metal by pressing without cutting

B. To cut metal into separate pieces

C. To paint the metal surface

D. To measure metal thickness

Solution

1. Step 1: Understand forming tools function

   Forming tools shape sheet metal by pressing, not cutting or removing material.

2. Step 2: Compare options with definition

   Only To shape metal by pressing without cutting describes shaping by pressing; others describe cutting, painting, or measuring.

3. Final Answer:

   To shape metal by pressing without cutting -> Option A

4. Quick Check:

   Forming tools = shaping by pressing [OK]

Hint: Remember: forming tools press, they don't cut [OK]

Common Mistakes:

• Confusing forming tools with cutting tools
• Thinking forming tools paint or measure metal
• Assuming forming tools remove material

2. Which of the following is the correct way to create a forming tool in SolidWorks?

easy

A. Use the Weldments > Insert > Forming Tool command

B. Use the Assembly > Insert > Forming Tool command

C. Use the Surface > Insert > Forming Tool command

D. Use the Sheet Metal > Insert > Forming Tool command

Solution

1. Step 1: Identify correct menu path for forming tools

   Forming tools are part of sheet metal features, so they are under Sheet Metal menu.

2. Step 2: Match options with correct menu

   Only Use the Sheet Metal > Insert > Forming Tool command uses Sheet Metal > Insert > Forming Tool, others use unrelated menus.

3. Final Answer:

   Use the Sheet Metal > Insert > Forming Tool command -> Option D

4. Quick Check:

   Forming tools = Sheet Metal menu [OK]

Hint: Forming tools are always under Sheet Metal menu [OK]

Common Mistakes:

• Selecting wrong menu like Weldments or Assembly
• Confusing forming tools with surface features
• Trying to insert forming tools in assemblies

3. Given a sheet metal part with a forming tool feature that creates a dimple, what will happen if you increase the depth parameter of the forming tool?

medium

A. The dimple will become shallower and less visible

B. The dimple will become deeper pressing more into the metal

C. The dimple will be removed from the part

D. The metal thickness will increase

Solution

1. Step 1: Understand depth parameter effect

   Increasing depth means pressing the forming tool further into the metal, making the dimple deeper.

2. Step 2: Analyze options

   Only The dimple will become deeper pressing more into the metal correctly describes deeper dimples; others describe incorrect effects.

3. Final Answer:

   The dimple will become deeper pressing more into the metal -> Option B

4. Quick Check:

   Depth up = dimple deeper [OK]

Hint: More depth means deeper shape [OK]

Common Mistakes:

• Thinking depth reduces dimple size
• Assuming forming tools remove features
• Believing metal thickness changes with depth

4. You created a forming tool but it does not appear on your sheet metal part after insertion. What is the most likely cause?

medium

A. The forming tool sketch is not fully defined

B. The forming tool is not saved as a part file

C. The forming tool feature is suppressed

D. The sheet metal thickness is zero

Solution

1. Step 1: Check forming tool visibility

   If the forming tool feature is suppressed, it will not appear on the part.

2. Step 2: Evaluate other options

   Sketch definition or saving issues usually cause errors, not invisibility; zero thickness is invalid but different problem.

3. Final Answer:

   The forming tool feature is suppressed -> Option C

4. Quick Check:

   Suppressed feature = invisible forming tool [OK]

Hint: Check if forming tool feature is suppressed [OK]

Common Mistakes:

• Ignoring feature suppression status
• Assuming sketch issues hide forming tool
• Confusing file saving with feature visibility

5. You want to create a forming tool that adds ribs to a sheet metal part. Which steps should you follow to ensure the ribs form correctly and simulate manufacturing?

hard

A. Create a forming tool part with rib shapes, save it, then insert it into the sheet metal part using Insert > Forming Tool, ensuring the tool thickness matches the sheet metal thickness.

B. Draw ribs directly on the sheet metal part without using forming tools.

C. Use the weldment feature to add ribs instead of forming tools.

D. Create a surface feature for ribs and convert it to a forming tool.

Solution

1. Step 1: Create forming tool part with rib shapes

   Design the rib shapes in a separate part file to use as a forming tool.

2. Step 2: Insert forming tool into sheet metal part

   Use Insert > Forming Tool command and ensure tool thickness matches sheet metal thickness for correct forming.

3. Final Answer:

   Create a forming tool part with rib shapes, save it, then insert it into the sheet metal part using Insert > Forming Tool, ensuring the tool thickness matches the sheet metal thickness. -> Option A

4. Quick Check:

   Forming tool part + insert + thickness match = correct ribs [OK]

Hint: Match forming tool thickness to sheet metal thickness [OK]

Common Mistakes:

• Skipping forming tool creation and drawing ribs directly
• Using weldments instead of forming tools for ribs
• Trying to convert surface features to forming tools