GuiCommand: Name: SheetMetal Extrude MenuLocation: SheetMetal , Extend Face Workbenches: SheetMetal_Workbench Shortcut: E

SheetMetal Extrude

Description

The SheetMetal Extrude command extends a sheet metal plate at a selected edge face.

It creates a simple extension along the face normal of the selected edge face:

If an outline sketch is added it creates interlocking geometry to close a profile:

Three profiles with outline sketches to add → three results

Usage

Simple Extension

Select one or more edge face(s) to be extended.
There are several ways to invoke the command:
- Press the Extend Face button.
- Select the Sheet Metal → Extend Face option from the menu.
- Right-click in the Tree view or the 3D view and select the Sheet Metal → Extend Face option from the context menu.
- Use the keyboard shortcut: E.
The Extend Parameters Task panel opens (introduced in version 0.5.00).
Optionally press the Select button to add more faces.
- Press the Preview button to finish the selection and display the changes.
Optionally adjust the parameters in the Task panel.
Press the OK button to finish the command and close the Task panel.
An Extend object will be created consisting of one new face extension at each selected face.
Optionally adjust the parameters in the Property editor.

Interlocking Extension

: (Prepare a sketch for interlocking tabs)

Select the edge face to be extended.
Invoke the command as described above.
Press the OK button to finish the command and close the Task panel.
In the Property editor press the ... button of the Sketch property.
The Link dialog window opens.
- Select the prepared sketch from the list
- Press the OK button to close the dialog.
Set the property Use Subtraction to True to create cut-outs to make room for the extensions.
Set the property Offset to adjust the clearance around the extension.

Three profiles → position of the sketches → results without cut-outs → final results

Notes

A sketch can contain more than one outline.

: After inserting a sketch, at least one of its outlines must at least touch one opposite face or the tool will fail to create any extension or cut-out.

: Just one outline touching an opposite face is enough to create extension geometry from all outlines of the sketch.

Each cut-out will have a cuboid shape, no matter what shape the corresponding outline sketch is.
Shapes other than rectangles may behave little bit strange and even though the object can be unfolded, the result will not turn out as expected.

Three outline sketches and their resulting extensions: separate triangle plate with a rectangular cut-out, circle without clearance → unfold solid is split at an unexpected position

In an extension operation it is recommended to leave the property Refine set to True (default).
The extension operation with a linked sketch may fail due to coplanar issues if the face on the sketch side and the face on the opposite side are coplanar, but with opposite orientations. A small offset may help in such a case.

Properties

Data

base Object|LinkSub: \"Base object\". Link to the planar face to be extended.
gap1|Distance: \"Gap from the left side\". Default: {{value|0,00 mm}}.
gap2|Distance: \"Gap from the right side\". Default: {{value|0,00 mm}}.
length|Length: \"Length of Wall\". Default: {{value|10,00 mm}}.

Offset|Distance: \"Offset for subtraction\". Default: {{value|20,00 µm}}.
Refine|Bool: \"Use Refine\". Default: True.
Sketch|Link: \"Wall Sketch\".
Use Subtraction|Bool: \"Use Subtraction\". Default: False

⏵ documentation index > SheetMetal > Addons > External Command Reference > SheetMetal Extrude

This page is retrieved from https://github.com/FreeCAD/FreeCAD-documentation/blob/main/wiki/SheetMetal_Extrude.md

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