Slot

A slot is a straight shape with a round end at each side, like a stretched circle. Cut it right through a part so a bolt can slide along it: an adjustable lamp arm, a tilting phone stand, or a slot for a cable to pass through.

How to use it#

1. In a sketch, click Slot, or press O.
2. Click the centre of one round end.
3. Click the centre of the other round end.
4. Move out from the line between them and click to set the width.

Then extrude it with Remove to cut the slot.

Arc slot#

An arc slot follows a curve, so a bolt can slide round it: a lamp arm that tilts, a hinge that locks at an angle, or a protractor-style adjuster. Choose Arc slot from the ▾ next to Slot, then:

1. Click the centre the slot curves round (the pivot).
2. Click where the slot starts. This sets how far it is from the pivot.
3. Click where it ends, going anticlockwise round.
4. Move out or in and click to set the width.

You get an arc each side and a round end at each end, all joining smoothly. Dimension the width (a round end's diameter), the radius of an arc and the angle it turns through (SOLIDWORKS: Centerpoint Arc Slot · Fusion: Center Point Arc Slot).

What you get#

• Two straight sides and two round ends that meet smoothly (Tangent constraints).
• Round ends that stay the same size (Equal).
• A dashed construction line between the centres of the two ends.

Making it exact#

• Dimension the dashed line to set how far apart the two end centres are. That is how far a bolt can slide.
• Dimension one round end for its radius (half the width), or click the two straight sides with Dimension to set the width.
• Place it with a dimension from an edge to an end centre. Make the dashed line Horizontal (H) or Vertical (V) if the slot should be level or upright.

Step by step#

Here is the whole thing on an adjustable arm, from the SchoolCAD video tutorial.

it: a slot inside a shape cuts right through.](slot-step-3.webp)

If it does not work#

• Click two different ends for the slot. The two end centres were in the same place.