T-slot nut

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 or table for a router, drill press, or bandsaw. T-slot nuts are also used with T-slot structural framing 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.[1]

A heavy-duty T-slot nut with a M12 bolt is rated to support 10000 N (about 1 imperial ton).[2]

Profile 40×40 (40 mm by 40 mm, with 8 mm grooves) extruded aluminum profile 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.[3] 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.

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  CAD model of a rotating T-nut used with aluminum T-slots/ T-track/ extrusions
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  T-nut (red) installed in a T-Slot

See also

• T-slot structural framing

References

• Erik Oberg et al. "T-Bolts, slots, nuts and tongues" (2008). Machinery's Handbook, 28th ed. New York: Industrial Press. p. 1632–1634.
• ASME B5 standards committee

Further reading

1. David Alkire Smith. "Quick Die Change". 2005. p. 106.
2. item Industrietechnik GmbH. "T-Slot Nut 12 St M12, heavy-duty".
3. item Industrietechnik GmbH. "timeline: 1980".

• ANSI/ASME B5.1M-1985 (R1998) standard, "T-Slots: Their Bolts, Nuts, and Tongues."