00:00In this video, you'll learn how to download, install, and use the FreeCAD Sheet Metal Workbench.
00:06You'll start from a clean FreeCAD install and end with a simple, realistic sheet metal part.
00:11First, select the Sheet Metal Workbench. If it's not there, go to Tools and select Add-on Manager.
00:18Here you can install, update, or remove FreeCAD workbenches.
00:22Enter Sheet Metal in the search bar and select it.
00:32When it's already installed, it's possible that there's an update available.
00:37Then you can click on the Update button.
00:40Otherwise, click on the Install button.
00:43Click on OK to continue.
00:46A status message will appear here.
00:51Exit this menu.
00:52And make sure to restart FreeCAD.
00:58Now, the Sheet Metal Workbench will be available.
01:02Select it and create a base shape.
01:08Here, you can select different shape presets, like U-Shapes and Boxes.
01:15For this video, select the Flat preset.
01:19Leave all parameters as they are.
01:21Make sure the Embed in New Body box is checked.
01:25Click on OK to apply.
01:27Now, a new body is created automatically with the Sheet Metal part embedded.
01:32Hold the Control key and select these four edges.
01:37Then, click on the Make Wall button.
01:41Four flanges will be added to the model.
01:46Here you see which edges are selected.
01:51Click on the Select button.
01:53Hold the Shift key and click on this edge to deselect it.
01:57Click on the Preview to apply.
02:01Here you can change the length of the flanges.
02:05And click the arrow to flip the direction.
02:10Choose the definition of the length here.
02:14Leave the bend radius the same as the plate thickness.
02:18Change the bend angle here.
02:23Change wall positions to specify the size definition.
02:29Check Unfold to see how a flat version will look.
02:32And uncheck it to go back.
02:36Change the bend angle back to 90 degrees.
02:39Now go to the Offsets tab for more options.
02:43Here you can create gaps and extend flanges.
03:05Now go to the Miter tab.
03:07Uncheck Auto Miter to create gaps between the flanges.
03:11Check it again.
03:12Here you can enter the gap between two flanges.
03:17The Max Extend Distance is the possible limit on extended flanges, also needed for the Auto Miter feature.
03:30Uncheck Auto Miter again.
03:47Now go to the Perforation tab and check Perforate.
03:52Now go to the Perforation tab and check Perforate.
04:02We must change the section of the cuts and tabs here.
04:12And now go to the Cuts and Tabs here.
04:13Now go to the Offsets tab again.
04:17Also, relief cuts did not give any results in this example, even when perforations were disabled.
04:37Enable the perforations again. Go to the General tab and check Unfold to see how the perforations
04:45will look.
04:49Click on OK to apply.
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04:55Double click on Bend to access its parameters. Uncheck Unfold to fold the model and click on
05:01OK to apply.
05:05Select the bottom face and click on the Unfold button.
05:10Now, a new flat version will be added outside the body. And you can also change the K factor
05:15to define the dimensions of the flat object.
05:19Also, other parameters can be changed like projected sketch lines, colors, manual updates,
05:24and transparency.
05:30Click on OK to apply.
05:34Click on these eye icons to hide the flat object and show the folded object.
05:39Click on the eye icon of the flat object again to show it.
05:42Now, both versions are visible.
05:45So that was a quick overview of the latest version of the sheet metal workbench in FreeCAD.
05:51It has changed since a previous video was done about this.
05:56You might also want to check out my 3D printing channel.
05:59See you there!
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