SOLIDWORKS - Using the Flex Feature in Clamshell Packaging Design

Here is a common use case of the Flex feature for those of you in the packaging industry. For chamshell, blister pack, or any type of parts with a "living hinge" in the design.

----

[alialiasgari]

Brief and perfect explanation of a complex feature
thank you

[hawkridgesystems]

DJ, Use the Move/Copy Body command (Insert -> Surface -> Move/Copy...). In the PropertyManager select "Translate/Rotate" as the method (not "Constraints") and choose a sketch line as the Translation Reference and just rotate 180deg around that reference.

[BultiZ]

Is there a way to simulate / design study an living hinge like this? 🧐

[Boerikoe]

Hi, thanks a million for a very clear & systematic explanation of this great function - a perfect answer for my application !
Thanks again for taking the time to help us out here very much appreciated !!

[sophiaguzman]

Sir I think you're helping me get this packaging design job I'm interested in... Thanks!

[usmellfunny]

How do you do the rotation after splitting the bodies!? I am having trouble with that part. 

[jackhartshorne]

this is has been a great help for my live hinge but do you know how to keep a part mated to other components while i move the bend in assembly?

[kerouwhack]

More remedial-- How did you position that reference axis for the rotation/hinge? I can create a reference axis on the edge of my seam (between the two parts), but I can't seem to move it perpendicularly away from the seam. The offset command would be perfect, but it doesn't work outside the sketching mode.

[victorascencao]

Man, thank you very much for this great tip.

[arunksad]

HI i would like to ask you doubt about creating hinges.. i am trying to create a hinge which should be hided from view, so i have created hinge components and assembled it in solidwoks.. but now my issue is that i have created a sheet metal (of a flexible material) which i want to place on both sided of the hinge which will conceal the hinge...i have tried to mate the hinge with the sheet metal but the then the hinge mechanism becomes stiff..can you give me any suggestion how to do this ??

[kwstasxatzi]

Can you show it step by step from the beginning?

[mihkelgysson]

How would you make sure it is the right shape hinge that will allow you to close the lids and also look the way you intended it?