Slots In Solidworks
In SolidWorks 2014, you can define a slot just like you would a hole, and detail your design faster and with less error. SolidWorks2014 lets you automatically generate a slot based on fastener/hardware size, and limit range of fasteners/hardware automatically via the slot mate.
SolidWorks Tutorials 6: How to Draw Centerpoint Slot
The slot center mark placement options affect all center marks you place in slots, not just the ones SOLIDWORKS places in drawing views automatically. To manually place a center mark in a slot, select Slot center mark for Manual Insert Options in the Center Mark PropertyManager. Setting Slot Center Marks at View Creation. My slot center distance was 50mm, so my total travel is also 50. This setup for creating slots is correct up until SolidWorks 2013. In SolidWorks 2014 hole wizard is introducing slots as a hole type. Mating in 2014 will also be easier. The slot mate will only require one mate to achieve the same functionality as the instructions above. You can mate bolts to straight or arced slots and you can mate slots to slots. You can select an axis, cylindrical face, or a slot to create slot mates. To create a slot. To place a Counterbore Slot, Countersink Slot, or Slot, you must first select Hole Wizard and choose the Hole Type on the “Type” tab of the Hole Wizard command. After specifying the appropriate Standard, Type, Size, Length, and End Condition as you would for any other Hole Wizard hole, select the Positions tab of the Hole Wizard command.
The center point slot is sketches by setting a center point, end circle center and point on the slot.
Step 1
Select plane from the Featuremanager design tree (e.g. Top Plane).
Step 2
Select the “Centerpoint slot” button from the command manager.
Step 3
Drag the mouse pointer to graphics area to select the centerpoint of the slot (Point 1).
Then drag the pointer to left or right side to select the end circle center point of the slot (Point 2).
After that, move the pointer upward to enlarge the size of centerpoint slot and click the mouse button to select the Point 3. Then you get an Centerpoint straight slot in graphics area.
Dimensioning Slots In Solidworks
Creating a slotted hole or slotted counterbore in SolidWorks isn't too difficult a task. You can use the slot sketch tool to quickly create the radius and the length of the slot. To add a counterbore I can create an offset of the through hole and specify the counterbore depth.
When working with slots in an assembly I have to use special mates so that my hardware will be able to move feely within the slot. I first need to make sure I have a plane at the center of the slot lengthwise and through the center.
These planes will be used to mate hardware into the slot. The lengthwise plane will be coincident to the temporary axis of the hardware.
The center plane will have a limit mate, located in the advanced mates drop down, to the temporary axis of the hardware. With the limit mate I enter a value for the starting dimension between the two entities. Then I specify the maximum and minimum travel distance. My slot center distance was 50mm, so my total travel is also 50.
Create Slots In Solidworks
This setup for creating slots is correct up until SolidWorks 2013. In SolidWorks 2014 hole wizard is introducing slots as a hole type. Mating in 2014 will also be easier. The slot mate will only require one mate to achieve the same functionality as the instructions above.
Slots In Solidworks Tutorial
Solidworks Slot Mate
Thanks,
Jordan Nardick, Elite AE
Applications Engineer
Computer Aided Technology, Inc.