All Slot Commands in Fusion 360: Your Ultimate Guide

Table of Contents

• Introduction: Why Learn Slot Commands?
• Center-to-Center Slot
• Overall Slot
• Center Point Slot
• Three-Point Arc Slot
• Center Point Arc Slot
• Pro Tips for Slot Commands
• Conclusion: Improve Your Fusion 360 Skills
• Key Takeaways

Introduction: Why Learn Slot Commands?

Have you ever found yourself wondering which slot tool in Fusion 360 to use for your design? Slots are essential for mechanical components, providing accurate and flexible design options. In this guide, we’ll cover all five slot commands in Fusion 360, explaining when to use each one, how to apply constraints, and tips for making your sketches fully defined.
Let’s dive in and boost your Fusion 360 workflow with expert slot techniques!

Center-to-Center Slot

The Center-to-Center slot lets you create slots by defining the centers of each arc and then adding width.

• How to Use: Start by selecting two points for the arc centers, then drag to set the slot width or type a specific value for precision.
• Constraints Needed: Add vertical/horizontal constraints and define exact distances to lock your slot into place.

💡 Pro Tip: Hide the body during sketching for a clearer view when adding dimensions and constraints.

Overall Slot

This slot spans from end to end and is perfect for creating slots that need to connect two edges.

• Steps to Create: Click two endpoints for the length, then drag or input a value for the width.
• Save Time: Use the Project (P) tool to reuse existing geometry, ensuring your slot aligns perfectly without manual adjustments.

Center Point Slot

This slot type starts from a center point and extends outward symmetrically, ideal for balanced designs.

• How to Use: Select a center point, drag to set the length, and add the desired width.
• Add Constraints: Align the slot’s center point to a midpoint or axis and define dimensions for length, radius, and position.

Three-Point Arc Slot

A curved slot created by selecting two endpoints and dragging to form an arc, ideal for non-linear designs.

• Step-by-Step: Click two endpoints, drag to form the arc, and add radius, horizontal, and vertical dimensions for accuracy.
• 💡 Pro Tip: Use end-point constraints to connect your slot seamlessly to existing geometry.

Center Point Arc Slot

This slot gives you full control by starting with two center points and defining an arc length.

• Usage: Select two center points, drag for the arc size, and set the slot width.
• Key Constraints: Lock the slot’s center point with vertical and horizontal constraints for precise placement.

Pro Tips for Slot Commands

• Use Project (P) to reuse existing edges and speed up sketching.
• Add constraints early like horizontal, vertical, and coincident to ensure stable sketches.
• Apply Smart Dimension + Arc Tangent (right-click in the dimension menu) for accurate slot dimensions.

Conclusion: Improve Your Fusion 360 Skills

Learning the slot commands in Fusion 360 enhances your design accuracy and efficiency. Each slot type serves a unique purpose, and knowing when to use each one can transform your design workflow. Incorporate these tools into your projects to create precise, editable sketches faster than ever before!

Key Takeaways

• ✔ Center-to-center slots for quick length and width definition.
• ✔ Overall slots for seamless edge-to-edge connections.
• ✔ Center point slots for symmetrical designs.
• ✔ Arc slots for flexible, curved profiles.
• ✔ Use Project and constraints to save time and ensure accuracy.

Ready to take your Fusion 360 skills to the next level? Check out my Fusion 360 Sketch Course!