Hexagonal Plate Slot Geometry for Simpler T-Nut Clamping
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing plates with T-shaped grooves for receiving T-slot nuts are complex to produce and require thick material, leading to high manufacturing costs and material waste.
Innovation Solution
The use of hexagonal grooves with an angle of 42° to 48°, preferably 45°, allows for easier and cost-effective production, enabling thinner plates with larger threaded holes and flexible clamping systems, using T-slot nuts that can be threaded and rotated within the grooves.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If T-shaped grooves are used to receive T-slot nuts, then the grooves can accommodate standard T-slot nuts, but the grooves are complex to produce and require large material thickness
Solution Approach 1:
The groove cross-section is changed from T-shaped to hexagonal, fundamentally altering the geometric parameters to simplify manufacturing while maintaining functionality for receiving T-slot nuts
Solution Approach 2:
Instead of adapting the T-slot nut to fit a T-shaped groove, the invention inverts the approach by using a hexagonal groove that accommodates the T-slot nut, reversing the traditional design paradigm
2Weight of stationary object
If T-shaped grooves are used, then the grooves can receive T-slot nuts, but the plate requires large material thickness
Solution Approach 1:
The hexagonal groove geometry allows for optimized material distribution, enabling thinner plates while maintaining sufficient structural strength and stability for clamping applications
3Strength
If T-shaped grooves are used, then the grooves can accommodate T-slot nuts, but larger diameters of threaded holes cannot be realized
Solution Approach 1:
The hexagonal groove cross-section provides adequate space for larger threaded hole diameters in the T-slot nut, improving clamping capability while the groove itself remains geometrically simple to manufacture
Data Source
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AI summary
In a plate (1) having at least one slot (3) in its surface (2), the slot (3) being provided to receive a slot nut, the production of the slot (3) is to be simple and cost-effective. To this end, the cross-section of the slot (3) perpendicular to the longitudinal direction of the slot (3) is hexagonal. To produce a slot (3) in the surface (2) of a plate (1), the plate (11) is machined with a side-milling cutter from the left and from the right at an angle in the range from 42° to 48°, preferably 45°, to the surface (2) of the plate (1) and the slot (3) thus produced is then cleared using a face-milling cutter at right angles to the surface (2) of the plate (1). A slot nut, which is intended to be received in a slot (3) in a surface (2) of a plate (1), has a cross-section, perpendicular to the longitudinal direction of the slot (3), that is hexagonal.