How to create a sheet metal rule in Fusion 360?

When planning a bent part in Fusion 360, the first thing to do is create a sheet metal rule for your material of choice if you have not done so already. 

What are sheet metal rules?

In 3D programs, sheet metal rules will include the information needed for the program to automatically calculate the correct formed versus flat dimensions for a part. Programs will have default rules and they may not match the properties for the actual material you will be using, or a fabricator’s process. 

Creating sheet metal rules in Fusion 360

1. Navigate to the Sheet Metal tab, click MODIFY, and then click Sheet Metal Rules.

To add sheet metal rules in Fusion 360, navigate to the Sheet Metal tab and click the MODIFY dropdown menu. Then select Sheet Metal Rules.

This will open the Sheet Metal Rules window. 

2. Hover over any existing rule to reveal the New Rule icon. Click the New Rule icon to start creating a new rule. Please note: it’s easiest to hover over a rule that already uses the units (inches or mm) that you intend to set up the new rule with. 

Hover over an existing sheet metal rule and click New Rule to create a new rule.

3. Name the rule and update the material Thickness, K Factor, and Bend radius information to match the Advanced Details provided for each bendable material on the Bending Calculator page. To see the Advanced Details, select your chosen material from the dropdown menu at the top of the page and then scroll down to find the specs. 

For this example, we’ve selected 0.125” 5052 aluminum. You can also find these specifications for each material and thickness on the individual material pages if you scroll down to find the Material Details and Design Considerations (for example, 5052 Aluminum Laser Cutting). 

Find the K-factor and bend radius for your desired material under the Advanced Details in SendCutSend's Bending Calculator.

Units are specified as either in (inches) or mm (millimeters) in sheet metal rules. Make sure all the units are consistent. This should be easy if you clicked New Rule from an existing rule in your intended units. 

In Fusion, update the information in your new sheet metal rule to match the Advanced Details from SendCutSend's Bending Calculator.

4. When the rule settings are updated, click Save. The rule will be added to your Library!

After you click Save on your new rule, it will be visible in your Sheet Metal Rules library.

For pointers on adjusting rules for flanges and creating reliefs in Fusion 360, see our Guide to Designing Bend Reliefs

When your design is ready, export either a 3D STEP file or a 2D DXF!

How To Export a STEP File from Fusion 360
How To Export a DXF File from Fusion 360 

In Summary

How to create a sheet metal rule in Fusion 360?

1. Navigate to the Sheet Metal tab, click MODIFY, then click Sheet Metal Rules.
2. Hover over any existing rule to reveal the New Rule icon. Click the New Rule icon to start creating a new rule.
3. Name the rule. Update the material Thickness, K Factor, and Bend radius to match the Advanced Details on the Bending Calculator page.
4. When the rule settings are updated, click Save. The sheet metal rule will be added to your Library!

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