Sheet Metal Enhancements

Design Guidance

aP Pro 2026 R1 and completes the implementation of the prioritized Design for Manufacturability (DFM) framework for the Sheet Metal process group. This release finalizes the alignment of existing Sheet Metal advice rules with the Critical, Major, and Minor severity classification system first introduced in aP Pro 2025 R1 SP3 and version CMV 330 of the Sheet Metal manufacturing process model. For more information, see the aP Pro 2025 R1 SP3 Release Notes.

With this release, prioritized DFM guidance is now fully implemented across all major Sheet Metal rule categories. Updated rule categories in version CMV 340 of the Sheet Metal manufacturing process model include:

• Hole-related rules

• Bend-related rules

• Hem-related rules

• Wall and blank checks

As a result, beginning with release 26.1, no Unclassified issues will appear when you use the latest Sheet Metal process model.

In addition to implementing severity classifications, unclear or non-design-related advice has been removed to ensure that Sheet Metal DFM guidance remains actionable, relevant, and design-focused.

Removal of Unclear or Non-Design-Related Advice

The following advice rules were removed or disabled to improve clarity and ensure that DFM feedback focuses strictly on design-related manufacturability concerns:

• Hole-to-Hole Distance (Perforating)

  Removed. Close hole proximity is less of a manufacturability concern in perforating operations, as the tooling braces the material during punching.

• Coined Hole

  Removed. This rule evaluates routing operations rather than part geometry and is therefore not a design-related DFM issue.

• Bend Has Gussets

  Removed due to inconsistent recognition of gusset geometry.

• Stock Thickness (Cost Driving Advice)

  Disabled. This advice has been removed pending support for standard metric stock sizes.

  Digital Factory administrators may re-enable this advice within CMWB/Digital Factory configurations if operating with imperial stock standards.