Introduction

Snap-fit joints are a quick and easy way of connecting two 3D printed components together using interlocking features. Not only are they a low cost and time saving connection method but they can also reduce the number of parts in an assembly and offer the possibility of rapid assembly and disassembly.

In this article, you'll learn which snap-fit connectors are the most appropriate for 3D Printing, good design practices to consider when designing snap-fits with plastics, and discover which 3D printing process is the most suitable for manufacturing your snap-fit connections.

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Snap-fit connections

3D printed snap-fits don't have injection molding design limitations (draft angles, separation lines, wall thickness, undercuts etc) and can be easily designed and altered. This makes them ideal for rapid prototype generation where clearance and fit are critical. Which is why they're often applied in the design and testing of enclosures.

Snap-fit construction for a DIY loud speaker

Common snap-fit connections

There are 2 main types of snap-fit connections that are appropriate for 3D printing: cantilever and annular.

Cantilever snap-fits

The cantilever is the most common snap-fit joint and consists of a protrusion (some type of bead or hook) at one end of the beam and a structural support at the other end. This protrusion is inserted into a cut-out or slot and deflects upon insertion. Once fully inserted, the protrusion bends back locking the connection into place.

A cantilever snap-fit on a 3D printed enclosure

Cantilever snap-fits are easy to design and intuitive for the user during assembly and disassembly. In many cases, it's the cheapest way to join 2 parts together.

Annular snap-fits

The annular snap-fit utilizes hoop-strain to hold a pressed part in place. Common examples of annular snap-fits are bottle and pen caps.

Annular snap-fits are commonly used for the caps of pens

With annular snap-fits, it is possible to achieve a waterproof seal around the joint.

For the rest of this article, the focus will be on cantilever snap-fits.

Designing snap-fit connections

In general, snap-fits will encounter the most stress during attachment and should return to their neutral position once the joining process is completed.

Once the parts are mated, an undercut holds them together. Depending on the shape of the undercut, snap-fit assemblies can also be designed to be permanent. A well designed snap-fit with suitable material can be used many times without any noticeable fatigue.





Good design practice

Several design features can be implemented to reduce stress and strain on the snap-fit assembly. These include:

Taper the design



A snap-fit cantilever with constant cross section has an uneven distribution of strain (top image). A good design tip is to diminish the cross section of cantilever beam over its length (bottom image). This uses less material and results in a more even distribution of strain in the cantilever.

Filleting the base of the cantilever



The addition of a fillet at the base of the cantilever can help to distribute the stress over a broader area making the connection stronger. The radius of the fillet should be at least of 0.5x the thickness of the base of the cantilever.

Increase width



Increasing the width of the clip will add strength to the design (if this is feasible in the design constraints). This may require trial and error to achieve the correct stiffness however the clip should be at least 5mm wide.

Final position



To help reduce stress and improve the strength of the connection ensure that the snap-fit cantilever is only deflected during the assembly and not when the components are connected together.

Build direction



It's important to consider build direction. If possible, try to avoid designing snap-fit cantilevers that are built up from the bed vertically (in the z direction) as these are inherently weaker due to the anisotropic nature of 3D printing. A snap fit built in the direction shown in the image to the left will be much stronger.

Add lugs



Consider adding lugs into your assembly to assist with alignment of components and to transfer some of the shear loads that the clips may be subjected to.

Advanced design guides

Advanced design of snap-fit connections is out of the scope of this article. For more detailed information on the design of cantilever snap-fits the MIT snap-fit design guide and snap-fit design for plastics offer excellent technical background and design specifications.

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Tolerances

Variations in 3D printing properties including printer calibration, print materials and printer technology mean there are no strict tolerancing rules when printing snap-fit connections.

For FDM a tolerance of 0.5 mm is recommended, and a tolerance of 0.3 mm best for all other 3D printing processes.

Technologies and materials

The table below discuss the main 3D printing technologies and whether they are appropriate for printing snap-fit joints.

Process Description FDM Cheap and effective way of manufacturing snap-fit connections but lower accuracy than other printing methods. When printing with FDM it is recommended to use strain resistant materials such as ABS, Nylon and TPU. SLA SLA resins can be used for snap-fits, but are relatively brittle increasing the likelihood of breaking after repeated use. Durable SLA resin is recommended. SLS SLS is suitable for printing functional snap-fit prototypes or end use parts that will be opened and closed many times. For maximum tear resistance consider using an SLS Nylon. Material Jetting Good strength and elasticity combined with high resolution details makes Material Jetting good for snap-fit applications. Durable resin (PP-like) and Digital ABS are the most common materials for snap-fits because of their toughness and flexibility. Binder Jetting Not suited for snap-fit connections

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