How to Work with T Tabs and T Junctions in BricsCAD Mechanical

Quick answer: T-tab features create a connection with robust positioning between two sheet metal flanges. Unlike normal tabs, T-tabs form a T-like configuration when one flange attaches to another. SMTABCREATE creates them from T-junctions, which often serve as an intermediate stage toward a T-tab.

Creating a T-Junction

From separate flanges:

1. Select one thickness face on the flange.
2. Launch SMFLANGECONNECT via the Connect Flanges tool button on the Sheet Metal | Junction ribbon tab, the Sheet Metal | Junction menu, or the command itself, confirming the same command covered elsewhere in this hub.
3. Press Enter.

From an existing T-like hard edge between two flanges:

1. Hover over the hard edge and choose Create Junction from the Quad menu, the Sheet Metal ribbon tab, the Sheet Metal | Junction menu, or run SMJUNCTIONCREATE directly, confirming the same command covered elsewhere in this hub.
2. Select the hard edge.

Creating a Single T-Tab

SMTABCREATE creates a single T-tab by default, with just one slot.

1. Hover over a T-junction face and choose Create single Tab from the Quad menu, the Sheet Metal ribbon tab, the Sheet Metal | Tab menu, or the command itself.
2. Select the T-junction face.

Creating an Array T-Tab

Unlike single T-tabs, array T-tabs have multiple slots.

1. Hover over a T-junction face and choose Create array Tab from the Quad menu, the Sheet Metal ribbon tab, the Sheet Metal | Tab menu, or run SMTABCREATE and choose the Array option when prompted.
2. Select the T-junction face.

Modifying T-Junction and T-Tab Parameters

A T-junction only has a Junction gap parameter. Both Array and Single T-tabs share Distance, Length, Clearance, Fillet radius, and Chamfer distance properties; Array T-tabs additionally have a Slot number parameter. Set any of these values in the Mechanical Browser panel.

Deleting a T-Junction or T-Tab

Deleting a T-tab feature restores a T-junction feature with the corresponding geometry. Erasing a T-junction instead joins the flanges and creates a T-like hard edge between them.

Frequently Asked Questions

What’s the difference between the properties of a single T-tab and an array T-tab? They share Distance, Length, Clearance, Fillet radius, and Chamfer distance, but only array T-tabs have an additional Slot number parameter.

What happens if I delete a T-tab feature? BricsCAD restores a T-junction feature in its place, with the corresponding geometry.

Can I create a T-junction directly from two flanges that aren’t yet connected? Yes, select a thickness face on one and run SMFLANGECONNECT.

Does a T-junction have as many editable parameters as a T-tab? No, a T-junction only has a Junction gap parameter, far fewer than either type of T-tab.