Tab and Slot PropertyManager

The Tab and Slot feature is available in all parts, not just sheet metal parts.

To open the Tab and Slot PropertyManager:

  1. In a part, click Tab and Slot (Sheet Metal toolbar) or Insert > Sheet Metal > Tab and Slot.

Selection

  Group List Lists the selections that define each tab and slot feature. A group is a selection of an edge and the corresponding face that belong to two identical bodies or components to define several tab and slot locations in one feature. Each group can have different tab and slot parameters.
  Link Groups Together

Links groups of tab and slot features together so that all parameters apply uniformly to the features.

If you edit a parameter for a linked group, all of the tab and slot features in the group update accordingly.
  New Group Creates another tab and slot group from the selected edge and face.
Tab Edge Defines the edge for the tabs.
Slot Face Defines the face for the slots.
Tab Face Defines the face for the tabs.
Start Reference Point Sets the start location of the tabs.
End Reference Point Sets the end location of the tabs.

Spacing

Equal Spacing Sets an equal distance between tabs. Set the Number of Instances .
Spacing Length Sets the number of instances based on the distance you set in Spacing .
Center Align Places the tabs from the center of the intersecting edge.

Specify the Number of Instances and Spacing to define the number of instances based on the distance.

Offset

If you want the tabs and slots to span the entire edge of the model, set these values to zero.

Tab Start Reference  
Start Offset Sets the location to start the tabs.
Tab End Reference  
End Offset Sets the location to end the tabs.
  Equal Offset Creates an offset where the start and end distance is the same from the reference points.

Tabs

Tab Length Defines the tab length.
Tab Thickness (Available in non-sheet metal parts.) Defines the tab thickness. Select a face for Offset Plane where the tabs attach.
Tab Height

Blind

Lets you set the Tab Height Value.

Up To Surface

Sets the tab height up to the Slot Face.

Offset From Surface

Lets you set the Tab Offset Value that is measured from the Slot Face.
Tab Direction (Non-sheet metal parts only.) Creates the tab in a direction other than normal to the tab face based on your selection in the graphics area.

You can select points, planes, edges, axes, vertices, linear sketch entities, or planar faces.
Edges Type Lets you set the tab edge treatments.

Sharp Edge

Fillet Edge

Set the Radius .

Chamfer Edge

Set the Chamfer Edge Treatment Value .

Instances to Skip

Instances to Skip Skips the tab and slot instances that you select in the graphics area.

In the graphics area, pink selection orbs display on the tab and slot instances. The pointer changes to when you hover over each instance and the coordinates of the instance appear. Click a selection orb.

To restore a skipped instance, click the selection orb again.

Slot

  No Through Cut

Slots are always created as through all cuts unless the cuts are impractical. If you do not want a through all cut, select this option.

If a through cut is impractical for the model (for example, models with a single body), No Through Cut is unavailable.
  Normal Cut Specifies that the slot is normal to the sheet even if the tab is at an angle to the slot.

Slots that are normal to are essential in the manufacturing process.
Slot Length Offset Sets the offset value for slot length.
Slot Width Offset Sets the offset value for slot width.
  Equal offset Sets equal values for Slot Length Offset and Slot Width Offset.
  Corner Type Sets the type of corners for slots.

Slot Sharp Corner

Slot Fillet Corner

Set the Slot Corner Fillet Value .

Slot Chamfer Corner

Set the Slot Corner Chamfer Value .

Slot Circular Corner

Set the Slot Corner Circular Cutout Value .