Working with T-tabs and T-junctions

Overview

You can use T-tab features to create a connection with robust positioning between 2 sheet metal flanges. Unlike normal tabs, T-tabs form a T-like configuration, when one flange is attached to the other.

T-tabs can be created from T-junctions by the SmTabCreate command. T-junction features are often used as an intermediate stage for making T-tabs.

Creating a T-junction

A T-junction can be created on existing separate flanges in the following way:
  1. Select one thickness face on the flange.
  2. Do one of the following:
    • Click the Connect Flanges () tool button in the Sheet Metal | Junction ribbon tab.
    • Choose Connect Flanges in the Sheet Metal | Junction menu.
    • Type SMFLANGECONNECT in the Command line.
  3. Press Enter.

Alternatively, you can create a T-junction feature in place of a T-like hard edge between 2 flanges (image at the left):

  1. Hover over a hard edge between the flanges and click the Create Junction () tool in the Quad menu, or do one of the following:
    • Click the Create Junction () tool button in the Sheet Metal ribbon tab.
    • Choose Create Junction from the Sheet Metal | Junction menu.
    • Type SMJUNCTIONCREATE in the Command line.
  2. Select a hard edge.

Creating a Single T-tab

The SMTABCREATE command creates a single T-tab by default. This feature has only a single slot.

To create a single T-tab:
  1. Hover over a T-junction face and click the Create single Tab () tool in the Quad menu, or do one of the following:
    • Click the Create single Tab () tool button in the Sheet Metal ribbon tab.
    • Choose Create single Tab from the Sheet Metal | Tab menu
    • Type SMTABCREATE in the Command line.
  2. Select a T-junction face.

Creating an Array T-tab

Different from Single T-tabs, array T-tab features have multiple slots.

To create an array T-tab:
  1. Hover over a T-junction face and click the Create array Tab () tool in the Quad menu, or do one of the following:
    • Click the Create array Tab () tool button in the Sheet Metal ribbon tab.
    • Choose Create array Tab from the Sheet Metal | Tab menu.
    • Type SMTABCREATE in the Command line.
      You are prompted: Select junction to create single tab or [Array]: select Array option.
  2. Select a T-junction face.

Modifying T-junction and T-tab Parameters

A T-junction has only the Junction gap parameter.

Array T-tabs and Single T-tabs have the following properties: Distance, Length, Clearance, Fillet radius, and Chamfer distance. Array T-Tabs also have the Slot number parameter.

You can set the value of all parameters in the Mechanical Browser panel.

Deleting a T-junction or T-tab

When a T-tab feature is deleted, BricsCAD restores a T-junction feature with the corresponding geometry. Erasing a T-Junction joins the flanges and creates a T-like hard edge between them.

Related commands

The MECHANICALBROWSEROPEN command displays the Mechanical Browser.

The SMDELETE command erases a feature.