What are the three types of snap fits?

There are three main types of snap-fits: annular, cantilever, and torsional. Most snap-fit joints have a common design of a protruding edge and a snap-in area. The specific name of the snap-fit is usually named after the type of stress or strain it utilizes; the torsional snap-fit uses torque to hold parts in place.

What is an annular snap-fit?

Annular snap-fit joints are often used to connect circular or elliptic parts, like containers/lids or pens/caps. In this type of snap-fit joint a ridge around the circumference of one part locks into a groove in the second part. During the assembly tensile or compressive hoop stresses occur together with bending.

What is a cantilever snap joint?

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.

What are torsion snap joints used for?

Torsion Snap Joints Unlike in the cantilever snap fit design, torsion snap fits basically deflect beams by twisting a bar. They are simple wats for creating separable connections. These robust solutions also amount to an economical and sophisticated joining method.

What are the advantages of snap fits?

Benefits of Snap-Fit Connections Can be designed right into the molding process, eliminating assembly steps and speeding up assembly and throughput. Reduces material needs, saves on material costs, and makes the product lighter weight.

What is the snap fit most common for plastic Assembly?

Snap-fit joints are the most widely used way of joining and assembling plastics. The most common snap fit is the cantilever. It is based on a flexural beam principle where the retaining force is a function of the material’s bending stiffness. The second most widely used is the torsional snap joint.

What is a snap fit model?

Snap-fit model is a push together model that does not require any glue in order to be assembled.

What materials are best for a cantilever snap joint?

Types of snap joints In view of their high level of flexibility, plastics are usually very suitable materials for this joining technique.

How do snap fits work?

In its simplest form, a snap fit is a small protrusion (hook, stud, or bead) which is deflected during assembly to catch in a depression on the mating part. A protruding part of one component is deflected during the joining process and catches a feature in the mating component.

How do snap-fits work?

What are snap fits made of?

A snap-fit is an assembly method used to attach flexible parts, usually plastic, to form the final product by pushing the parts’ interlocking components together.

What is the snap-fit most common for plastic Assembly?

What are the different types of snap fit joints?

TYPES OF SNAP-FIT JOINTS There are a wide range of snap-fit joint designs. In their basic form, the most often used are the cantilever beam (snap leg), Figure 1, and the cylindrical snap-fit joint, Figure 2. For this reason, these two designs and designs derived from these basics are covered in this text.

Why are snap fits used for plastic parts?

ABSTRACT: Snap fits are the simplest, quickest & most cost effective method of assembling two parts. Basically, a molded undercut on one part engages a mating lip on the other. This method of assembly is uniquely suited to thermoplastic materials due to flexibility, high elongation and ability to be molded into complex shapes.

How are annular snap joints used in plastic?

Annular snap joint is used to join symmetrical round parts. Depending on annular joint geometry, joints can be removable, permanent or difficult to remove. Complex plastic tooling is required to make parts with annular snap joints. Following are the common problems faced during snap design and product lifetime.

What to be aware of when using snap fits?

Things To Be Aware of When Using Snap-Fits: · Some designs require higher tooling cost. · They are susceptible to breakage due to mishandling and abuse prior to assembly. · Snap-fits that are assembled under stress will creep. · It is difficult to design snap-fits with hermetic seals.