SOLIDWORKS 2018 gives us the ability to create these features in a single command, the new Tab and Slot command. Bosses and Cuts in a single command. The fundamental elements of a Tab and Slot command. When working with Tab and Slot command in SOLIDWORKS 2018 we want to break down the feature into four fundamental areas.

A costly part of the manufacturing process is creating fixtures, so many designers are now turning to self-fixturing, design techniques to reduce assembly and set-up costs in the manufacturing process. SOLIDWORKS 2018 introduces a powerful Tab and slot tool to automate this design step.

SOLIDWORKS 2018 introduces a powerful Tab and slot tool to automate this design step. Tab and slot can be created on parts in an assembly, a single part, or a multibody part. You start by choosing an edge to define the tab, and a face to define where the slot where will terminate. Offsets can be applied to control the tab distance from the ends. So I just upgraded to 2018 solidworks and I thought I would try out the tab and slot function. I assumed this would have been a feature available in an assembly. But it seems I could only create this feature when I have 2 sheet metal bodies built as one part. I think this would be much better if I could create this feature in assembly.

Solidworks 2018 Tab And Slot Features

Tab and slot can be created on parts in an assembly, a single part, or a multibody part. You start by choosing an edge to define the tab, and a face to define where the slot where will terminate. Offsets can be applied to control the tab distance from the ends. Spacing can be defined equally among a given number of instances or by a defined length. The length of each tab can easily be specified, and the height can be a blind value, or up-to or offset-from the selected surface.

Corner treatments, such as fillets and chamfers can be applied to the tabs and their size can be specified. The clearance between the slot and tab can be defined as well and SOLIDWORKS creates features in both components to meet these specifications.

Solidworks Tab And Slot Feature

These tab and slot features are fully editable, for instance, an additional tab and slot can be added on the side by adding a new group to the definition.
The new tab and slot feature not only reduces design time by automating the creation of these features but reduces manufacturing costs by minimizing the need to build expensive fixtures that can delay manufacturing.