WOW Episode 15: Tab & Slot

We use Tab & Slot construction in our weld shop to fabricate our robotic manufacturing systems. I was introduced to the technique by Richard Holdren, who had applied it in the shipbuilding industry. We plasma cut all our parts on Richard Keeton's Plasma Systems, Inc. cutting table, so it is simple to add these features to our parts to make them self-fixturing. Steel is most economical in plate form. Building from plate reduces our structural steel inventory. Our high-definition Hypertherm plasma cutting equipment makes accurate parts quickly.

As industry ramps back up after the world's ill-advised covid lockdown, our customers demand quick delivery. Tab & Slot construction saves time and prevents errors and rework.

In some cases, we use an extended twist tab was incorporated in the design. The tab is twisted using a wrench to lock the parts together before welding without tacks. The tab is then twisted off before final outside welding.

It is Lincoln Logs for adults. This is not a new technique but still not as widely adopted as I think it should be. We wanted to share with you another trick you might consider using in your shop.

Share your experiences with Tab & Slot below.