Hole tool slotted hole

[Anonymous]

How to create a slotted hole using Hole tool, in a sketch and in solid bodies?

[mdavis22569 · Accepted solution]

Why would you make it with a Hole tool?

Why not use the slot option under Rectangle in sketch mode?

 

[HarryHighpants]

I know it's an old / dead thread, but I feel compelled to answer your question 'Why would you make it with a Hole tool?'

When I make standard (circular) holes, I always use the hole tool. I was taught that it is bad practise to sketch a circle and then extrude-cut. Something to do with annotating later on. Also, it's easier to edit hole features than editing a sketch and changing diameters.

I would think the same principle would (or should) apply to a slotted hole?

[Anonymous]

In my experience, creating slots from the Hole tool or Hole Wizard (SW) is best practice and easier.  95% of the time I model slots I intend to have a standard bolt or screw thru it.  Being able to quickly choose the screw size and a Close, Normal, or Loose fit saves the time of having to either look up standard clearances or first creating a hole for the same screw size and jotting down the clearance dimensions to use in dimensioning a slot sketch.  

Having a slotted hole as part of the Hole Tool would be a significant time saver.

[jtylerbc]

Here is a post on the Idea forums asking for a Slot feature similar to the Hole feature.  The discussion posts for the Idea also list additional threads asking for essentially the same thing under different names. 

If this is a feature that would benefit you, you might want to go give those Ideas a vote.

[Anonymous]

Voted!  Thanks.

[jeffsteiger6735]

The benefit of having slots created as a "hole tool" would be dimensioning. Currently there is no way that I am aware of to show parametric dimensions for both the slot diameter and length as one dimension.

There is also no real standard on calling up slots. Some groups call them up by the width (diameter) and overall length while some prefer to call the width (diameter) by the design length (center to center length) of the slot.

[kelly.young]

Here are the links to the Inventor ideas in regards to slots:

Slot Feature Creation in modeling mode

slot joint constraint

Sheet Metal Slot And Tab

Idea Search: Slot

If you think they would be helpful give them a vote!