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REF-SM-1

Field Value
Title Protolabs sheet metal design guidelines
Type guide
URL https://www.protolabs.com/resources/design-tips/sheet-metal-design-guidelines/
Notes Bend, flange, relief, and hole-placement rules.
Linked rules 20

Rules Using This Reference

Rule Pack Severity Title
SM-001 C_SHEET major Min flange length ≥ 4× thickness
SM-002 C_SHEET major Prefer consistent bend radii across bends (tooling reuse)
SM-003 C_SHEET major Hole/slot diameter ≥ material thickness
SM-004 C_SHEET major Hole-to-edge distance: enforce guideline thresholds (distortion risk)
SM-005 C_SHEET major Hole-to-bend proximity: flag distortion-prone features
SM-006 C_SHEET major Tabs: width ≥ 2×t (or ≥ 3
SM-007 C_SHEET major Notches: width ≥ t (or ≥ 1
SM-008 C_SHEET major Countersink angles limited to standard angles
SM-009 C_SHEET major Formed countersink tolerances looser
SM-010 C_SHEET major Bend angle tolerance expectation ±1°
SM-011 C_SHEET major Multi-bend stack-up: flag tight across-bend tolerances
SM-012 C_SHEET major Hem design: check minimum inside diameter and return length vs thickness
SM-013 C_SHEET major Offset features: flag very small offsets likely to be inconsistent
SM-014 C_SHEET major Hardware inserts spacing: enforce manufacturer spec placeholder requirement
SM-015 C_SHEET major Edge burr control note present (deburr, edge break)
SM-016 C_SHEET major Consistent thickness per part
SM-017 C_SHEET major Laser cut internal corners: suggest radii to reduce crack initiation
SM-018 C_SHEET major Small formed part sizes below guideline risk handling issues
SM-019 C_SHEET major Very long bends near max envelope: flag handling/deflection risk
SM-020 C_SHEET major Prefer symmetric bend layout to reduce twist/warp

Sources

  • D:\02_Code\36_RapidDraft_DFMBenchmark_ExpertMode\server\dfm\manifest.json
  • D:\02_Code\36_RapidDraft_DFMBenchmark_ExpertMode\server\dfm\rule_library.json
  • D:\02_Code\36_RapidDraft_DFMBenchmark_ExpertMode\server\dfm\references.json
  • D:\02_Code\36_RapidDraft_DFMBenchmark_ExpertMode\server\dfm\process_classifier.json
  • D:\02_Code\36_RapidDraft_DFMBenchmark_ExpertMode\server\dfm\overlays.json
  • D:\02_Code\36_RapidDraft_DFMBenchmark_ExpertMode\server\dfm\roles.json
  • D:\02_Code\36_RapidDraft_DFMBenchmark_ExpertMode\server\dfm\report_templates.json
  • D:\02_Code\36_RapidDraft_DFMBenchmark_ExpertMode\server\dfm\ui_bindings.json