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Deleting parts from sheet metal after boolean subtraction.

Carson_LehCarson_Leh Member Posts: 7

Hello,

I've been transitioning into Onshape from Sketchup. I've been able to figure out most of my issues with videos and existing support on the forum but I'm having trouble with a sheet metal part I've created.

My model is here: https://cad.onshape.com/documents/4c91b8d205809010388a1ca1/w/38b482cf2e095199ac471215/e/c5a3a003ade9402722b08dbd

Essentially I have a tube that pierces a sheet metal part. I've cut a hole with a boolean subtraction. Because the tool is a tube it leaves a leftover circle in the middle of the cutout. Which I can delete after the sheet metal part is "finished" in the 3d model, but the leftover circle is still left in my flat view of the sheet metal part. How can I remove this cut out properly so it shows in both the 3d model and the flat version of the sheet metal?

Screen Shot 2025-05-29 at 4.47.05 PM.png

Best Answer

  • glen_dewsburyglen_dewsbury Member Posts: 1,049 PRO
    Answer ✓

    I drew a sketch on the end of the guide line used to produce the hole. The involves using a mate connector and selecting near the end of the line putting the sketch normal to the tube. Using the use command I selected the outer edge of the tube. Next extrude/subtract the circle and merge with the bracket and through all. Cut through sheet metal component will be normal to the faces. It is a slot shape allowing for tilt of the tube. If you want to give some clearance for ease of assembly adjust the circle sketch as sown below.

    image.png image.png image.png image.png

Answers

  • glen_dewsburyglen_dewsbury Member Posts: 1,049 PRO

    The Boolean used to make a hole leaves behind the center slug. You can use a delete part to get rid of it or draw a circle on the end of the line used as guide for leg tube. Then extrude/subtract through bracket.

    No mirror of bracket required since the parts are the same. See assembly where the same bracket is used twice. There is no left and right.

    Finish sheet metal part not really needed unless additional features to be added that don't behave as sheet metal.

    https://cad.onshape.com/documents/8d99d2e8db497e36f8a3c7b7/w/62ee57b0f090ccf79afc8c52/e/76181dbead14e24cefdf2971

    image.png
  • Carson_LehCarson_Leh Member Posts: 7

    Thank you for your help. I see you were able to complete this fix. I'm trying to replicate that on my own.

    When I use delete part I get the error: Delete part 1 did not regenerate properly. Active sheet metal models are not allowed. If I "finish" the model I can delete in 3d but not in flat sheet metal.

    I'm still missing something here unfortunately, can you offer more guidance on why I'm not able to replicate this function?

  • glen_dewsburyglen_dewsbury Member Posts: 1,049 PRO
    Answer ✓

    I drew a sketch on the end of the guide line used to produce the hole. The involves using a mate connector and selecting near the end of the line putting the sketch normal to the tube. Using the use command I selected the outer edge of the tube. Next extrude/subtract the circle and merge with the bracket and through all. Cut through sheet metal component will be normal to the faces. It is a slot shape allowing for tilt of the tube. If you want to give some clearance for ease of assembly adjust the circle sketch as sown below.

    image.png image.png image.png image.png
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