[mplanchard]

Find a sheet metal vendor for some advice. You also have price to worry about too.

You are in the Dallas area? Go to swugn.net and see when the next local SolidWorks local user group meeting is. You may also get some advice.

When Investigating analysis go to tools, addins and turn on SolidWorks Simulation. You will then see simulation tutorials under Help.

You want to use shell elements. These will provide good results. Also sketch profiles to indicate large concentrations of mass, such as a motor. Then use Insert curve, split curve. Now the area bounded by the sketch can accept a distributed load. Marie