Template for sheet metal part

Each new sheet metal part is created from a template. When you use the default sheet metal template installed with Autodesk Inventor, the default material, sheet metal rule and unfold rules are applied to the sheet metal parts created. You can use this template or another predefined sheet metal template (English or Metric for example), modify one of the predefined templates, or create your own templates by copying and modifying one of the existing templates. If you use a part template and then convert the model to sheet metal, the material defined in the part overrides the material defined in the Sheet Metal Rule of the sheet metal template.

Tip: If you routinely create sheet metal parts using a specific material or thickness, or parts which are produced using specific machines or tooling within your shop, consider creating unique templates for these commonly created model types.

What to include in sheet metal template

You can define a style in a sheet metal file and save it as a template, and then use it as the basis for new sheet metal parts. Include the following information:

• Any model geometry that is useful as a starting point including faces or contour flange base features.
• Sheet metal styles for bends, sheets, corners, and material type. These values are the default for all sheet metal parts based on the template.
• Parameter names and values you customize in the Parameters dialog box. Establish your own parameter names, enter instructions or other explanatory text in the parameters list, or set up your own parameters.
• Change the sizes of the origin work planes to accommodate the average size of the sheet metal parts you create.

iProperties in sheet metal template

Specify iProperties such as cost center, project name, or manager and save them as part of the template. Use iProperties to find, track, and manage files, and automatically add and maintain information in title blocks, parts lists, and bills of material.

Default sheet metal template

Any sheet metal file can be used as a template when you save it in the Autodesk\Inventor [version]\Templates folder. Set any template to be the default template for creating new sheet metal parts. To make a template the default, save it in the the Templates folder with the file name sheet metal.ipt. To avoid overwriting the existing default template, move or rename it before saving the new template.

Files that reside in the Templates folder appear on the Default tab of the New dialog box when you create new files. Files that reside in a subfolder of the Templates folder appear on other tabs in the New dialog box.

Note: To add tabs to the New dialog box, create new subfolders in the Templates folder and add template files to them. The New dialog box displays a tab for each subfolder in the Templates folder.