Left Right Bent parts

I'm looking for best practice suggestions. I have many parts which
start out as flats, and then are either bent up or down to create two
different (left or right) versions. What is the best way to do this in
SolidWorks?

 

open, part to be mirrored
select, appropriate plane
insert, mirror part ...

hth

 

If you're doing sketched bent, a rather simple way of doing
left-right/up-down versions is to do two different configurations.
Shetch two bent lines to opposite surfaces and use the other to bent,
for example, downwards and the other upwards and suppress unnecessary
bent from each configuration. You can also create two different edge
flanges to opposite directions and suppress unnecessary one from the
configurations.

If you want those different versions to be independent models, Save As
would be appropriate way to go. Just make the first model with the bent
then save as the model with different name and in the new model change
the properties to opposite direction.
I won't recommend mirroring parts especially if you're working with PDM
Works or such.

 

any particular reason as to why you don't recommend mirror parts with pdmw?

 

To create a mirrored part in a separate file (SW2003 or later):
1.) create new part
2.) add original part using "Insert --> Part"
3.) mirror inserted part body, do not merge bodies
4.) use "Insert --> Feature --> Delete bodies" to delete original.

Note that "delete bodies" is a feature. It does not delete the
inserted part. The inserted part reappears if you roll back. The
reference to the original part is "live". Try it and see.

This scheme works for folks who need separate files for mirrored parts.
Some PDM setups do not like multiple part numbers in a single file.

 

what advantages does this method offer?

 

No particular advantage. You still end up with a mirrored part.

I am aware of situations where some folks wish to have an associative
mirrored part in a separate part file. This accomplishes that task.

 

I think Kenneth means:

Avantage against - insert / symetric part (not sure on the exact English
menu)

?

JM

 

Please excuse if you are getting multiple responses. I view the NG
through Google (beta 2). Seems some things get lost...

Anyhoo... My method is for SW2003 and earlier. Our SW2004 is still in
the box. Plan to jump straight to 2005 when SP1 is out.

I did get a chance to see SW2004 finally. There it is! So, if your
using SW2004 or later, you don't need my advice.

 

Ummm .. do you have to migrate the parts thru SW2004 first? Or
can SW205 deal with 2003 and earlier parts?

 

We'll find out soon, no?

I've been able to open SW98 parts in SW2003, so I see no reason why not.

 

Anyhoo... My method is for SW2003 and earlier. Our SW2004 is still in

"Insert --> Part", did not exist prior to 2003.

 

I guess that leaves SW2003 only.

 

As far as I recall, (SW97), I have been able to insert "base part", or
"symetric part". (not sure about the English translation).

 

It's been there for a good long time, as Brun said. It had different
names, like Base Part or Derived Part.

matt

 

It's been there for a good long time, as Brun said. It had different

for some reason was thinking of multi-body, no idea how i got side tracked

 

Please call me Jean Marc, calling me Mr Brun makes me feel old ;=)))