How to Do a Sheet Metal Jog in SOLIDWORKS

A sheet metal jog creates a small offset bend in a sheet metal part. It is useful when one section of a flange or tab needs to sit above or below another face while keeping the part manufacturable as sheet metal. In SOLIDWORKS, the Jog tool creates two bends and the offset between them in one controlled feature.

Start with a sheet metal part

The Jog command is intended for sheet metal geometry. Start with a base flange, converted sheet metal body, or another sheet metal feature that already has a thickness and bend settings. If the model is still a normal solid body, convert it to sheet metal before expecting sheet metal bend behavior.

Create the jog sketch

1. Select the sheet metal face where the jog should start.
2. Start a sketch on that face.
3. Draw the line that defines the jog location.
4. Dimension the sketch so the jog is controlled.
5. Exit the sketch and start the Jog command.
6. Set the offset distance and bend options.

Set the jog offset

The offset distance controls how far the jog moves the sheet metal face. Use the design requirement or manufacturing requirement instead of choosing a value only by appearance. If the jog must clear another part, include the needed clearance and check the assembly after the feature is created.

Check bend direction and material side

Before accepting the feature, review the preview. Confirm that the jog moves in the correct direction and that the bends are placed on the intended side of the sketch line. A flipped direction can make the part look correct from one view but wrong in the assembly or flat pattern.

Verify the flat pattern

After creating the jog, flatten the part and inspect the flat pattern. Make sure the bends unfold correctly, the bend lines are understandable, and the jog does not create overlapping geometry. This is especially important when the jog is close to holes, slots, corners, or other bends.

Manufacturing considerations

A jog may be easy to model but harder to form if it is too small, too close to another feature, or not compatible with the available tooling. Check minimum bend radius, material thickness, tooling access, and bend relief. If the jog will be made on a press brake, confirm that the offset and bend spacing can actually be formed.

Troubleshooting

If the jog fails, simplify the sketch and make sure the line is on the correct face. Check that the part is recognized as sheet metal and that the jog does not intersect nearby geometry. If the flat pattern fails, move the jog farther from other bends or adjust the bend relief.

Use the jog feature when the offset is a real formed sheet metal detail. If the part only needs a cosmetic step or a machined feature, another modeling method may be more appropriate.