Slots In Solidworks
Ever since the additions of the slot sketch tool for 2009 and the Hole Wizard Slot for 2014, SOLIDWORKS almost seems like a whole new software for the those who design machined parts. Adding these tools were long overdue. Additionally, SOLIDWORKS supports the standard methods for dimensioning slots when they are created by using these tools. This online video demonstrates how to quickly define parameters within an object by working with slots in SolidWorks. You will learn how to use various slot tools including the Center Point Arc Slot to easily rotate objects and create angled slots, which saves you time. Solidworks tutorial - Sketch Entities Slots with SolidworksLession 6: https://youtu.be/ScLUxJAeq2o. 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 mate: Click Mate (Assembly toolbar) or Insert Mate.
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.
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.
Thanks,
Solidworks Hole Wizard Slot
Jordan Nardick, Elite AE
Applications Engineer
Computer Aided Technology, Inc.