Snap-to-Connect
Bring a loose rail or bracket close to an open T-slot and it seats into place, lined up with the rest of the frame. No nudging parts into position by hand.
T-slot framing
T Slot Design Software
Design T-slot aluminum racing rigs, lab carts and frames in 3D on your computer or phone. Only compatible joints and accessories snap onto each rail.
- T-slot rails from 20 mm to 1.5"
- 75 joints and brackets
- 99 panels, hinges, handles and casters
- Runs in your browser
How it works
From idea to parts list in three steps
- 01
Snap the frame together
Bring a rail or bracket close to an open slot and it seats into place, lined up with the rest of the frame.
Watch the demo - 02
Repeat bays and shelves
Design one bay of a rack or enclosure, then repeat it in any direction with the spacing you choose.
Watch the demo - 03
Build it in order
Step-by-step assembly guides show which rails, brackets and panels join at each step, so the frame goes together in the right order.
Watch the demo
Made for T-slot framing and enclosures
What Connects to What?
Click an open slot and the parts drawer lists only the T-slot brackets, joints and accessories that fit that profile size.
Build Once, Repeat Many (NX)
Design one bay of a rack, shelf unit or enclosure, then repeat it in a chosen direction. Preview the copies and set how many you want and the spacing between them.
Make It Flush!
Line up a panel, shelf or rail with the face or edge of its neighbor without resizing either one, so enclosure panels sit flush with the frame.
Point & Click Measuring
Click two points on the frame to read the distance between them. Lengthen an upright and the measurement updates with it.
Draw & Cut Shapes
Add a clean opening to a panel, like a cable pass-through in an enclosure side, while the rest of the panel stays as it is.
Instant Assembly Guides
See how the T-slot frame goes together one numbered step at a time, with the brackets and panels to add at each step.
Massive Library of Real Parts
T-slot profiles, brackets, panels and fasteners sit alongside 7,300+ other real parts, so wood shelves, casters and hardware can go into the same frame and the same parts list.
Try
The parts library
T-slot rails, brackets and panels in the library
Enclosures, carts and machine frames are built from the same rails, brackets and panels you would order, each tagged with its slot size.
- 19
Profiles
Single, double and triple slot rails in fractional (1", 1.5") and metric (20, 30, 40 mm) sizes.
- 75
Brackets and joints
Corner brackets, inside joints and angled connectors for each profile series.
- 99
Panels and hardware
Acrylic and mesh panels, panel hangers, hinges, handles, casters and tool holders.
- 5
Fasteners
T-slot screws matched to each profile series.
Counted from the live catalog. Search every part in the library.
Lay Out a T-Slot Frame Without CAD
T-slot framing goes together like a kit: rails, brackets and fasteners that bolt into the slots, with no welding. Crafti works the same way. Place a rail, bring a bracket to an open slot and it snaps into place, on your computer or your phone.
Match the Slot Before You Buy
Fractional and metric T-slot profiles use different slot sizes, so a bracket or screw made for one series won't fit the other. Mixing them up is one of the most common, and most expensive, T-slot mistakes.
Read more
Crafti tracks the profile series of every rail and fitting, and only offers parts that fit the slot you're working on.
Enclosures, Carts and Machine Frames
T-slot is the usual choice when a frame has to stay square but still be easy to change later: 3D printer enclosures, lab and utility carts, cabinets with acrylic or mesh panels, display stands.
Read more
Start from one of the examples below and resize it, or begin with a single rail.
Which Profile Size?
As a rough guide, the smaller profiles (20 mm and 1") suit light enclosures, displays and desktop frames, while the larger ones (40 mm and 1.5") are better for carts, benches and frames that carry weight.
Read more
Build the frame in one size, swap the rails and compare: the parts list and cut plan update with every change.
Doors, Panels and Hinges
Panels, panel hangers, hinges and handles are all in the library, so you can design an enclosure with doors that open and see every panel, hinge and screw on the parts list.
Example projects
T-Slot Project Examples
Open any of these T-slot designs for free with its full list of rails, brackets and accessories, then change it to fit your space. Want a design we don't have yet? Ask us.
Missing a Part?
We add parts based on what people build. If a bracket, profile or accessory you need isn't in the library, tell us and we'll look at adding it.
Every Connection Has a Size
Crafti knows the size, type and depth of each T-slot connection, so the parts drawer only lists brackets and accessories that fit the rail you clicked.
From Parts List to Cart
When the design is ready, Crafti matches each line of the parts list to a store product and fills your cart at McMaster-Carr, The Home Depot or Lowe's. You review everything before checkout, and nothing is bought until you do.
Questions
T-slot design questions
Is T-slot the same as 80/20?
80/20 is a popular brand of T-slot aluminum extrusion. Crafti's library uses its profile series, so designs work for either name.
Can I add acrylic panels and doors?
Yes. Panels, panel hangers, hinges and handles are in the library, so you can design enclosures with doors.
Can I design a 3D printer enclosure?
Yes. Start from the 3D printer frame example, size it around your printer and add panels and a door.
Does Crafti handle both metric and fractional T-slot?
Yes. The fractional 1" and 1.5" series and the metric 20 mm, 30 mm and 40 mm series are in the library, each with its own brackets and screws.
Can I add wood shelves or a plywood top?
Yes. Transition parts connect T-slot aluminum to wood, so shelves and tops can be part of the same design and parts list.
How do I know how many stock lengths to buy?
The cut plan lays your finished rails out along the stock length you choose and tells you how many lengths you need.
Can someone review my frame before I order?
Yes. Send the design's link to a colleague, a client or your supplier. They can look it over or copy it, but only you can edit your version.
Is there anything to install?
No. Crafti runs in the browser on your computer or your phone.
Do I need Crafti Pro?
No. You can design for free, and many features work in the free version. Crafti Pro unlocks some features and includes monthly credits for Crafti AI. See Pricing for what it includes.
Keep exploring
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Guides and tutorials
How to Use 80/20 Aluminum
Learn how to use 80/20 aluminum: project ideas from workbenches to sim rigs, the steps from design to installation, and how T-nuts and bolts hold part…
Quick Tips for Measuring in Crafti – Ruler, Profiles & Measurement Box
Learn how to use measurement tools to design with precision. We'll show you how to measure profiles, vertex-to-vertex distances, and total scene dimen…
How to Use Nx – Your Shortcut to Faster Design
Learn how to use NX, the tool that lets you duplicate objects at exact distances and speed up your design process. Perfect for creating fast, precise …
How Does Snapping Work?
Let's cover the basics of snapping in Crafti!
Start Your T-slot Project
Design in your browser on your phone or computer, then get the parts list, cut plan and assembly steps.
Start a Project