A T-slot nut is used with a threaded clamp to position and secure pieces being worked on in a workshop. The T-slot nut slides along a T-slot track, which is set in
workbench
A workbench is a sturdy table at which manual work is done. They range from simple flat surfaces to very complex designs that may be considered tools in themselves. Workbenches vary in size from tiny jewellers benches to the huge benches used by ...
or table for a router,
drill press
A drill is a tool used for making round holes or driving fasteners. It is fitted with a bit, either a drill or driverchuck. Hand-operated types are dramatically decreasing in popularity and cordless battery-powered ones proliferating due to i ...
, or
bandsaw
A bandsaw (also written band saw) is a power saw with a long, sharp blade consisting of a continuous band of toothed metal stretched between two or more wheels to cut material. They are used principally in woodworking, metalworking, and lumb ...
. T-slot nuts are also used with
T-slot structural framing
T-slot structural framing, sometimes known as aluminum extrusion, or 2020 extrusion when the cross-section is 20x20 mm, is a framing system consisting of lengths of square or rectangular extruded aluminum, typically 6105-T5 aluminium alloy, wi ...
to build a variety of industrial structures and machines.
A T-slot bolt is generally stronger than a T-slot nut and hex-head cap screw.
A heavy-duty T-slot nut with a
M12 bolt is rated to support 10000
N (about 1
imperial ton at rest).
and the T-slot nuts to fit into them comprised the first modular system developed for use in mechanical engineering in 1980 by item Industrietechnik.
[
item Industrietechnik GmbH]
"timeline: 1980"
The item aluminum framing system has since been expanded to include a variety of t-slot nuts that have been designed for specific applications.
The item system is very similar to the "channel-and-groove design" used in
some toys.
File:CAD model of a T-Nut 1.png, CAD model of a rotating T-nut
A T-nut, T nut, or tee nut (also known as a blind nut, which can however also refer to a rivet nut
A rivet nut, also known as a blind rivet nut, or rivnut, is a one-piece internally threaded and counterbored tubular rivet that can be anchore ...
used with aluminum T-slots/ T-track/ extrusions
File:CAD model of a T-Nut 2.png
File:CAD model of a T-Nut 3.png
File:T-Nut - Installed in a T-Slot.png, T-nut (red) installed in a T-Slot
See also
*
T-slot structural framing
T-slot structural framing, sometimes known as aluminum extrusion, or 2020 extrusion when the cross-section is 20x20 mm, is a framing system consisting of lengths of square or rectangular extruded aluminum, typically 6105-T5 aluminium alloy, wi ...
References
* Erik Oberg et al. "T-Bolts, slots, nuts and tongues" (2008). ''
Machinery's Handbook
''Machinery's Handbook'' ''for machine shop and drafting-room; a reference book on machine design and shop practice for the mechanical engineer, draftsman, toolmaker, and machinist'' (the full title of the 1st edition) is a classic reference ...
'', 28th ed. New York: Industrial Press. p. 1632–1634.
*
ASME B5 standards committee
Further reading
*
ANSI
The American National Standards Institute (ANSI ) is a private non-profit organization that oversees the development of voluntary consensus standards for products, services, processes, systems, and personnel in the United States. The organi ...
/
ASME B5 ASME B5 refers to a technical committee of the American Society of Mechanical Engineers and the standard they maintain which deals with machine tools.
Machine tools
As a Standards Development Organization, ASME continues to develop and maintain ...
.1M-1985 (R1998) standard, "T-Slots: Their Bolts, Nuts, and Tongues."
Nuts (hardware)
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