Introducing our SOLIDWORKS Sheet Metal Design Resources Page (Updated for 2026)

Last updated on February 4th, 2026 at 09:14 am

Do you design sheet metal parts in SOLIDWORKS? If so, be sure to check out our new SOLIDWORKS Sheet Metal Design Resources page!

At ASM, we don’t just fabricate exceptional sheet metal parts-we also share our internal Design for Manufacturing (DFM) knowledge to help customers design better parts.

This new resources page, developed as part of our mission to bridge the gap between design and manufacturing, features short videos offering practical DFM tips and tricks from our in-house SOLIDWORKS experts on the estimating and engineering team. You’ll also find blog posts covering a wide range of sheet metal design topics.

Whatever information you need related to SOLIDWORKS sheet metal design, our goal is to make sure you can find it all in one place on our resources page.

Sharing Our SOLIDWORKS Design Expertise

With decades of combined experience in sheet metal fabrication and deep expertise in SOLIDWORKS, our team is focused on helping engineers optimize designs from the very beginning.

Every day, our estimators and engineers apply DFM principles to analyze prints for manufacturability during the quoting process. We work closely with customers to identify potential design challenges early and recommend changes that improve manufacturability, cost, and lead time. By addressing issues upfront, we help prevent downstream problems during prototyping or production.

With our new resources page, we’re able to share that real-world SOLIDWORKS and DFM expertise with engineers everywhere-not just those we work with directly. Whether or not you ultimately order parts from ASM, we’re here to support better sheet metal design decisions. (Though we’d certainly love to work with you!)

Our short videos are packed with practical guidance, answering common questions about SOLIDWORKS and demonstrating step-by-step workflows. Need to determine the ideal sheet metal bend radius or the maximum height for a louver? Looking for tips to navigate SOLIDWORKS more efficiently? Our team has you covered.

If there’s a SOLIDWORKS topic you’d like us to explore, don’t hesitate to let us know!

Filling Gaps in Sheet Metal Design Training

While there are many programs available to train engineers on designing precision machined parts in SOLIDWORKS, equivalent training for sheet metal design is much harder to find. As a company dedicated to high-quality sheet metal fabrication and committed to supporting American manufacturing, we’re motivated to share knowledge that helps close those gaps.

For example, not all engineers realize it’s a best practice to design parts using the sheet metal toolbar from the start rather than converting a solid model later. Designing in the sheet metal environment from the outset allows potential manufacturability issues to surface early, saving time and cost.

Some of the videos on our resources page focus on highly specific considerations, such as bend radius and the k-factor. By sharing our SOLIDWORKS knowledge from A to Z, we aim to empower engineers to create better parts and strengthen the US manufacturing ecosystem as a whole.

Our SOLIDWORKS Sheet Metal Design Resources Page is a reference you can bookmark and return to whenever questions arise during the design process.

As we continue to cover the fundamentals of sheet metal design, we’ll expand into more advanced topics to help you take your SOLIDWORKS skills to the next level. We’ll update the page weekly to keep it as useful and comprehensive as possible.

ASM is here for you every step of the way, from design through manufacturing. Request a quote to work with our expert team today.

Sheet Metal Design for Manufacturing

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SOLIDWORKS Sheet Metal Design Resources FAQ

What resources can I find on ASM’s SOLIDWORKS Sheet Metal Design Resources page?

Our resource page offers a wealth of information curated to enhance your understanding of SOLIDWORKS sheet metal design. It includes short videos featuring DFM tips and tricks from our SOLIDWORKS expert, Dave Pincince, along with informative blog posts covering a wide range of sheet metal design topics.

How does ASM leverage SOLIDWORKS expertise to aid in sheet metal part optimization?

With 25 years of sheet metal fabrication experience and 13 years specializing in SOLIDWORKS, our expert, Dave, analyzes prints for manufacturability daily. He collaborates with customers, providing insights and recommending modifications to optimize designs for both manufacturability and cost, preventing potential issues during prototyping or production.

What specific SOLIDWORKS topics do the short videos on the resource page cover?

Dave’s videos cover a spectrum of topics, addressing common queries and demonstrating step-by-step procedures within SOLIDWORKS. Whether determining ideal sheet metal bend radii, understanding maximum louver heights, or simplifying navigation within the software, these videos offer practical guidance.

Why does ASM prioritize sharing SOLIDWORKS sheet metal design knowledge?

We’re committed to bridging the gap in sheet metal design training. Many engineers lack comprehensive training in SOLIDWORKS for sheet metal, and our goal is to empower them with crucial knowledge. For instance, we emphasize starting designs using the sheet metal toolbar from the outset, preventing potential design flaws affecting manufacturability.

How frequently is ASM’s SOLIDWORKS Sheet Metal Design Resources page updated?

We are dedicated to providing up-to-date and comprehensive resources. The page is updated weekly, covering fundamentals and progressively advancing to more complex SOLIDWORKS sheet metal design topics, ensuring engineers have a go-to reference for their queries and skill advancement.

Matt Sordillo: