T-Slot Nut Comparison

Roll-In T-Nuts vs Sliding Nuts: XAHQ or XAHN?

Choose XAHQ Roll-In T-Nuts when the nut must be added through the slot after the frame is assembled or when the profile end is not accessible. Choose XAHN Sliding Nuts when an open profile end is available and the nut can be loaded from the end before the final assembly is closed.

Both families use an internal metric thread and neither includes a spring ball or spring leaf. During vertical installation, support the nut until the bolt begins to engage.

Compare XAHQ and XAHN

XAHQ Roll-In T-Nuts

XAHQ21 / XAHQ22 / XAHQ23

XAHN Sliding Nuts

XAHN21 / XAHN23 / XAHN31

XAHQ and XAHN at a glance

XAHQ and XAHN at a glance
Selection point	XAHQ Roll-In T-Nuts	XAHN Sliding Nuts
Assembly stage	Post-assembly	Pre-assembly / end-feed
How the nut enters	Tilt it through the slot opening and roll it into position	Insert it from an open profile end and slide it along the slot
Open profile end required	No	Yes
Can enter through the middle of the slot	Yes	No
Threaded-hole direction	Face the threaded hole outward toward the slot opening	Face the threaded hole outward toward the slot opening
Temporary spring retention	None	None
Vertical positioning before bolt engagement	Support the nut	Support the nut
Removal and reuse	Reusable when there is no structural damage	Remove through an open profile end; reusable when undamaged
Available product range	XAHQ21/22/23; GB G306/G408 and EU 308/408; M5, M6 or M8, with available thread sizes varying by profile series	XAHN21/23/31; GB G306/G408 and EU 206/308/408/4010/4510/5010; M4, M5, M6, M8 or M10, with available thread sizes varying by profile series
Available materials and finishes	Carbon steel with zinc, nickel or chrome plating, depending on code	Carbon steel with zinc or chrome plating, and SUS304 with vibratory polishing, depending on code

Assembly stage

XAHQ Roll-In T-Nuts: Post-assembly
XAHN Sliding Nuts: Pre-assembly / end-feed

How the nut enters

XAHQ Roll-In T-Nuts: Tilt it through the slot opening and roll it into position
XAHN Sliding Nuts: Insert it from an open profile end and slide it along the slot

Open profile end required

XAHQ Roll-In T-Nuts: No
XAHN Sliding Nuts: Yes

Can enter through the middle of the slot

XAHQ Roll-In T-Nuts: Yes
XAHN Sliding Nuts: No

Threaded-hole direction

XAHQ Roll-In T-Nuts: Face the threaded hole outward toward the slot opening
XAHN Sliding Nuts: Face the threaded hole outward toward the slot opening

Temporary spring retention

XAHQ Roll-In T-Nuts: None
XAHN Sliding Nuts: None

Vertical positioning before bolt engagement

XAHQ Roll-In T-Nuts: Support the nut
XAHN Sliding Nuts: Support the nut

Removal and reuse

XAHQ Roll-In T-Nuts: Reusable when there is no structural damage
XAHN Sliding Nuts: Remove through an open profile end; reusable when undamaged

Available product range

XAHQ Roll-In T-Nuts: XAHQ21/22/23; GB G306/G408 and EU 308/408; M5, M6 or M8, with available thread sizes varying by profile series
XAHN Sliding Nuts: XAHN21/23/31; GB G306/G408 and EU 206/308/408/4010/4510/5010; M4, M5, M6, M8 or M10, with available thread sizes varying by profile series

Available materials and finishes

XAHQ Roll-In T-Nuts: Carbon steel with zinc, nickel or chrome plating, depending on code
XAHN Sliding Nuts: Carbon steel with zinc or chrome plating, and SUS304 with vibratory polishing, depending on code

Choose XAHQ when the profile end is closed

XAHQ is the post-assembly choice in this comparison. Align the threaded hole toward the slot opening, insert the nut at an angle and roll it into the slot. It does not require access to an open profile end.

This installation method is useful when the frame is already assembled, an end cap or another component blocks the profile end, or an additional mounting point must be added along an accessible slot.

XAHQ has no spring retention. Hold it at the required position in a vertical slot until the bolt starts engaging.

View XAHQ Roll-In T-Nuts

Choose XAHN when end-feed installation is available

XAHN must enter from an open profile end. Keep the threaded hole facing the slot opening, slide the nut to the required position and then align it with the mating bolt. It cannot be inserted through the middle of the slot and can only be removed through an open profile end.

XAHN can be repositioned along the slot before tightening. Because it has no spring ball or leaf, support it during vertical positioning until the bolt starts engaging.

View XAHN Sliding Nuts

Match the exact product row

Do not select from the family-level thread range alone. Use the applicable product page to match all of the following:

GB or EU profile system
Exact profile series
Slot opening
Required metric thread
Dimensions shown for the selected row
Material and finish
Profile-end access and installation orientation

A slot-width label is not enough

A nominal 6 mm, 8 mm or 10 mm slot description does not prove that two profile geometries are interchangeable. If the exact profile series is unknown, send a cross-section drawing or measured slot dimensions with the RFQ.

Which one should you order?

Order from the XAHQ family when mid-slot installation is required and the selected XAHQ row matches the profile.
Order from the XAHN family when an open profile end is available and the selected XAHN row matches the profile.
Do not substitute one family for the other based only on the thread or nominal slot width.

Frequently Asked Questions

Send your profile details for an XAHQ or XAHN quote

Include the profile system and series, slot dimensions, thread, assembly access, material or finish preference and quantity.

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