How to Speed Up Sheet Metal Fabrication Using SOLIDWORKS Tab and Slot?

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Speed up the SheetMetal Fabrication & Assembly using SOLIDWORKS Tab and Slot

 

While designing a SheetMetal parts, theinterlocking of SheetMetal components is more important to improve the assembly accuracy, structural strength, and manufacturing efficiency. In that, SOLIDWORKS helps you to achieve this with the tool "Tab and Slot". The following content explains how to use the Tab and Slot feature in Sheetmetal design.

In this example, we will use a multibody sheet metal part however, Tab and Slot can be added to any part, not just sheet metal. 

Click Tab and Slot on Sheet Metal Toolbar. We will first fill in the parameters for the size of the tabs.

Tab and Slot Property Manager

ü Listed under the Tabs section are Length, Thickness, and Height which are set to 10mm, 5mm, and Blind Height to 5mm respectively.


Sheet Metal Toolbar

ü For Edge Type, we will keep this at Sharp Corner, although there are also selections for Fillet and Chamfer edges.  Those fillet and chamfer edges used for load transfer across the faces.


Sheet Metal Toolbar

ü After that, select edges and faces for a new group

ü For Edge<1> selection, we will choose edges where two parts meet. 

ü For Face<2> selection, we will choose the face for the component that will have the slots. 

ü After selecting the face, the points are automatically defined and the preview shows automated Tab and Slot geometry.

ü For Spacing, we will choose Equal Spacing and set the number of instances to 7. 

ü Click OK.

ü Two Tab and Slot features are created. Hiding each body individually reveals the tabs and slots.

Sheet Metal Toolbar

 

ü Edit one of the Tab and Slot features (right-click > Edit feature).

ü Change the Edge Type to Fillet Edge and click OK.

Sheet Metal Toolbar

ü Notice fillets are added to the edges of the tabs.

Sheet Metal Toolbar

ü Edit one of the Tab and Slot features again. Enable Offset and add on offset value to each side. Notice how the tabs and slots move inward.

Sheet Metal Toolbar


üUnder Slot, select Equal offset and click OK. An equal gap around the tab is created in the slot. 



Equal offset




üTab and Slot features can also be added at the assembly level between two components. To do this, the assembly must be in Edit Part Mode on either the tabbed or slotted component then follow the above guide



Edit Part Mode
 

 

Conclusion

In modern sheet metal fabrication, Tab and Slot design is essential for creating accurate, reliable, and cost-effective assemblies. Also, in designing of sheet metal parts for laser cutting, welding, or manual assembly, using tab and slot is almost always a smart choice. The benefits of using Tab and Slot are:

ü Accurate Part Alignment During Assembly

ü Easier and Faster Assembly

ü Strengthens joints before welding or fastening

ü Reduced Manufacturing Errors

ü Better Weld Accuracy and Quality

ü Eliminates the need for fixtures or jigs

ü Ideal for laser-cut, CNC, or flat-pack designs


Contact Us: Have questions or need assistance? Feel free to reach out!

Phone: +91 94454 24704
Email: mktg@egs.co.in


 


 



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