Cantilever snap-fits print axis

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I'm new to 3d printing and need to design and print a case on an Ultimaker S5 using PLA.
The case is box like and consist of a top and a bottom part. I was thinking about cantilever snap-fits to join the two parts. I read that these snap-fits need to be printed in the X-Y-plane for better stability. However with the bottom/top side down the walls will be in the Z-axis and thus the snap-fits would be printed in the X-Z- plane. If I would print the part lying in it's side I would need a lot of support in the inside. How am I supposed to do this correctly?



Also what tolerances should I use to make the parts fit well while still being separable?










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    Welcome to SE 3D Printing!
    – Pᴀᴜʟsᴛᴇʀ2
    4 hours ago










  • I removed the printer as this is not a printer specific question.
    – Trish
    3 hours ago














up vote
2
down vote

favorite












I'm new to 3d printing and need to design and print a case on an Ultimaker S5 using PLA.
The case is box like and consist of a top and a bottom part. I was thinking about cantilever snap-fits to join the two parts. I read that these snap-fits need to be printed in the X-Y-plane for better stability. However with the bottom/top side down the walls will be in the Z-axis and thus the snap-fits would be printed in the X-Z- plane. If I would print the part lying in it's side I would need a lot of support in the inside. How am I supposed to do this correctly?



Also what tolerances should I use to make the parts fit well while still being separable?










share|improve this question









New contributor




xuma202 is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
Check out our Code of Conduct.















  • 2




    Welcome to SE 3D Printing!
    – Pᴀᴜʟsᴛᴇʀ2
    4 hours ago










  • I removed the printer as this is not a printer specific question.
    – Trish
    3 hours ago












up vote
2
down vote

favorite









up vote
2
down vote

favorite











I'm new to 3d printing and need to design and print a case on an Ultimaker S5 using PLA.
The case is box like and consist of a top and a bottom part. I was thinking about cantilever snap-fits to join the two parts. I read that these snap-fits need to be printed in the X-Y-plane for better stability. However with the bottom/top side down the walls will be in the Z-axis and thus the snap-fits would be printed in the X-Z- plane. If I would print the part lying in it's side I would need a lot of support in the inside. How am I supposed to do this correctly?



Also what tolerances should I use to make the parts fit well while still being separable?










share|improve this question









New contributor




xuma202 is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
Check out our Code of Conduct.











I'm new to 3d printing and need to design and print a case on an Ultimaker S5 using PLA.
The case is box like and consist of a top and a bottom part. I was thinking about cantilever snap-fits to join the two parts. I read that these snap-fits need to be printed in the X-Y-plane for better stability. However with the bottom/top side down the walls will be in the Z-axis and thus the snap-fits would be printed in the X-Z- plane. If I would print the part lying in it's side I would need a lot of support in the inside. How am I supposed to do this correctly?



Also what tolerances should I use to make the parts fit well while still being separable?







pla 3d-design






share|improve this question









New contributor




xuma202 is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
Check out our Code of Conduct.











share|improve this question









New contributor




xuma202 is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
Check out our Code of Conduct.









share|improve this question




share|improve this question








edited 3 hours ago









Trish

2,731231




2,731231






New contributor




xuma202 is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
Check out our Code of Conduct.









asked 4 hours ago









xuma202

1113




1113




New contributor




xuma202 is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
Check out our Code of Conduct.





New contributor





xuma202 is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
Check out our Code of Conduct.






xuma202 is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
Check out our Code of Conduct.







  • 2




    Welcome to SE 3D Printing!
    – Pᴀᴜʟsᴛᴇʀ2
    4 hours ago










  • I removed the printer as this is not a printer specific question.
    – Trish
    3 hours ago












  • 2




    Welcome to SE 3D Printing!
    – Pᴀᴜʟsᴛᴇʀ2
    4 hours ago










  • I removed the printer as this is not a printer specific question.
    – Trish
    3 hours ago







2




2




Welcome to SE 3D Printing!
– Pᴀᴜʟsᴛᴇʀ2
4 hours ago




Welcome to SE 3D Printing!
– Pᴀᴜʟsᴛᴇʀ2
4 hours ago












I removed the printer as this is not a printer specific question.
– Trish
3 hours ago




I removed the printer as this is not a printer specific question.
– Trish
3 hours ago










1 Answer
1






active

oldest

votes

















up vote
3
down vote













Let's look at the general design.... it is a case... so a box of to halves. And we need some kind of connector...



How about splitting the connector into a separate C-shaped piece? That way the connector clip can be printed with the C to the plane, getting maximum durability out of either pice. You just need to print some short overhangs, the clip going around the central box, possibly in dedicated notches. Also, this is easily removable from the outside with a screwdriver. And easily replaceable. Also, both sides could be identical, if designed in the right way.



Or we use a slot in the lower body, and a Y shaped slot in the top, and make the connectors have a flat hook that matches into the lower body (push in from below) then the split top pushes through the top and latches in... This isn't removable from outside easily.



Third alternative: bolts. If the item inside the box - a PCB? - is going to be bolted to the lower case anyway, why not add extra long screws and have the top case be bolted to the lower case with the same screw that holds the PCB in place? Or, just use a pair of additional bolts and nuts on the corners.






share|improve this answer






















  • I like the idea with the C shaped clamp. Is this better than pins on one part and holes on the other that make a press fit? This would at least be invisible. I have a PCB to put inside but I don't think it's a good plan to have the pins go trough the holes in the PCB because they could only be 2.5mm in diameter and would need to be about 18mm tall. Maybe I can make the case a little bigger and add Pins and holes in the outer corners?
    – xuma202
    2 hours ago










  • C-clamps means, that your sides might be identical. also, some addition about using for example longer screws...
    – Trish
    2 hours ago











  • identical sides is not relevant for me because I'll need various cutouts anyways. Screws might be an option.
    – xuma202
    2 hours ago










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1 Answer
1






active

oldest

votes








1 Answer
1






active

oldest

votes









active

oldest

votes






active

oldest

votes








up vote
3
down vote













Let's look at the general design.... it is a case... so a box of to halves. And we need some kind of connector...



How about splitting the connector into a separate C-shaped piece? That way the connector clip can be printed with the C to the plane, getting maximum durability out of either pice. You just need to print some short overhangs, the clip going around the central box, possibly in dedicated notches. Also, this is easily removable from the outside with a screwdriver. And easily replaceable. Also, both sides could be identical, if designed in the right way.



Or we use a slot in the lower body, and a Y shaped slot in the top, and make the connectors have a flat hook that matches into the lower body (push in from below) then the split top pushes through the top and latches in... This isn't removable from outside easily.



Third alternative: bolts. If the item inside the box - a PCB? - is going to be bolted to the lower case anyway, why not add extra long screws and have the top case be bolted to the lower case with the same screw that holds the PCB in place? Or, just use a pair of additional bolts and nuts on the corners.






share|improve this answer






















  • I like the idea with the C shaped clamp. Is this better than pins on one part and holes on the other that make a press fit? This would at least be invisible. I have a PCB to put inside but I don't think it's a good plan to have the pins go trough the holes in the PCB because they could only be 2.5mm in diameter and would need to be about 18mm tall. Maybe I can make the case a little bigger and add Pins and holes in the outer corners?
    – xuma202
    2 hours ago










  • C-clamps means, that your sides might be identical. also, some addition about using for example longer screws...
    – Trish
    2 hours ago











  • identical sides is not relevant for me because I'll need various cutouts anyways. Screws might be an option.
    – xuma202
    2 hours ago














up vote
3
down vote













Let's look at the general design.... it is a case... so a box of to halves. And we need some kind of connector...



How about splitting the connector into a separate C-shaped piece? That way the connector clip can be printed with the C to the plane, getting maximum durability out of either pice. You just need to print some short overhangs, the clip going around the central box, possibly in dedicated notches. Also, this is easily removable from the outside with a screwdriver. And easily replaceable. Also, both sides could be identical, if designed in the right way.



Or we use a slot in the lower body, and a Y shaped slot in the top, and make the connectors have a flat hook that matches into the lower body (push in from below) then the split top pushes through the top and latches in... This isn't removable from outside easily.



Third alternative: bolts. If the item inside the box - a PCB? - is going to be bolted to the lower case anyway, why not add extra long screws and have the top case be bolted to the lower case with the same screw that holds the PCB in place? Or, just use a pair of additional bolts and nuts on the corners.






share|improve this answer






















  • I like the idea with the C shaped clamp. Is this better than pins on one part and holes on the other that make a press fit? This would at least be invisible. I have a PCB to put inside but I don't think it's a good plan to have the pins go trough the holes in the PCB because they could only be 2.5mm in diameter and would need to be about 18mm tall. Maybe I can make the case a little bigger and add Pins and holes in the outer corners?
    – xuma202
    2 hours ago










  • C-clamps means, that your sides might be identical. also, some addition about using for example longer screws...
    – Trish
    2 hours ago











  • identical sides is not relevant for me because I'll need various cutouts anyways. Screws might be an option.
    – xuma202
    2 hours ago












up vote
3
down vote










up vote
3
down vote









Let's look at the general design.... it is a case... so a box of to halves. And we need some kind of connector...



How about splitting the connector into a separate C-shaped piece? That way the connector clip can be printed with the C to the plane, getting maximum durability out of either pice. You just need to print some short overhangs, the clip going around the central box, possibly in dedicated notches. Also, this is easily removable from the outside with a screwdriver. And easily replaceable. Also, both sides could be identical, if designed in the right way.



Or we use a slot in the lower body, and a Y shaped slot in the top, and make the connectors have a flat hook that matches into the lower body (push in from below) then the split top pushes through the top and latches in... This isn't removable from outside easily.



Third alternative: bolts. If the item inside the box - a PCB? - is going to be bolted to the lower case anyway, why not add extra long screws and have the top case be bolted to the lower case with the same screw that holds the PCB in place? Or, just use a pair of additional bolts and nuts on the corners.






share|improve this answer














Let's look at the general design.... it is a case... so a box of to halves. And we need some kind of connector...



How about splitting the connector into a separate C-shaped piece? That way the connector clip can be printed with the C to the plane, getting maximum durability out of either pice. You just need to print some short overhangs, the clip going around the central box, possibly in dedicated notches. Also, this is easily removable from the outside with a screwdriver. And easily replaceable. Also, both sides could be identical, if designed in the right way.



Or we use a slot in the lower body, and a Y shaped slot in the top, and make the connectors have a flat hook that matches into the lower body (push in from below) then the split top pushes through the top and latches in... This isn't removable from outside easily.



Third alternative: bolts. If the item inside the box - a PCB? - is going to be bolted to the lower case anyway, why not add extra long screws and have the top case be bolted to the lower case with the same screw that holds the PCB in place? Or, just use a pair of additional bolts and nuts on the corners.







share|improve this answer














share|improve this answer



share|improve this answer








edited 2 hours ago

























answered 3 hours ago









Trish

2,731231




2,731231











  • I like the idea with the C shaped clamp. Is this better than pins on one part and holes on the other that make a press fit? This would at least be invisible. I have a PCB to put inside but I don't think it's a good plan to have the pins go trough the holes in the PCB because they could only be 2.5mm in diameter and would need to be about 18mm tall. Maybe I can make the case a little bigger and add Pins and holes in the outer corners?
    – xuma202
    2 hours ago










  • C-clamps means, that your sides might be identical. also, some addition about using for example longer screws...
    – Trish
    2 hours ago











  • identical sides is not relevant for me because I'll need various cutouts anyways. Screws might be an option.
    – xuma202
    2 hours ago
















  • I like the idea with the C shaped clamp. Is this better than pins on one part and holes on the other that make a press fit? This would at least be invisible. I have a PCB to put inside but I don't think it's a good plan to have the pins go trough the holes in the PCB because they could only be 2.5mm in diameter and would need to be about 18mm tall. Maybe I can make the case a little bigger and add Pins and holes in the outer corners?
    – xuma202
    2 hours ago










  • C-clamps means, that your sides might be identical. also, some addition about using for example longer screws...
    – Trish
    2 hours ago











  • identical sides is not relevant for me because I'll need various cutouts anyways. Screws might be an option.
    – xuma202
    2 hours ago















I like the idea with the C shaped clamp. Is this better than pins on one part and holes on the other that make a press fit? This would at least be invisible. I have a PCB to put inside but I don't think it's a good plan to have the pins go trough the holes in the PCB because they could only be 2.5mm in diameter and would need to be about 18mm tall. Maybe I can make the case a little bigger and add Pins and holes in the outer corners?
– xuma202
2 hours ago




I like the idea with the C shaped clamp. Is this better than pins on one part and holes on the other that make a press fit? This would at least be invisible. I have a PCB to put inside but I don't think it's a good plan to have the pins go trough the holes in the PCB because they could only be 2.5mm in diameter and would need to be about 18mm tall. Maybe I can make the case a little bigger and add Pins and holes in the outer corners?
– xuma202
2 hours ago












C-clamps means, that your sides might be identical. also, some addition about using for example longer screws...
– Trish
2 hours ago





C-clamps means, that your sides might be identical. also, some addition about using for example longer screws...
– Trish
2 hours ago













identical sides is not relevant for me because I'll need various cutouts anyways. Screws might be an option.
– xuma202
2 hours ago




identical sides is not relevant for me because I'll need various cutouts anyways. Screws might be an option.
– xuma202
2 hours ago










xuma202 is a new contributor. Be nice, and check out our Code of Conduct.









 

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