Joining 3D printed parts

  1. Adhesives for 3D printed parts: Choose the right adhesive for the materials you are working with.

  2. Snap-Fit Joints

    • 3D printed snap-fit connectors require altering your model but little effort to assemble - and offers the option to disassemble
    • Alternatively, you can glue snap-fit connectors in place
    • Video
    • Article

  3. Captive Nut: Provides more torque than 3D printed threads. It is a clean way to join parts together if designed properly. Video

  4. Threaded holes

    1. Heat set inserts
    2. Straight holes: Printing a straight hole is the easiest way but is not easy to get right. The printed diameter needs to be just right so that the threads of the bolt bite into the plastic. This is basically a one-time-use. Coarse threaded screws (e.g. wood screws) are not great for this purpose.
    3. Straight holes tapped to size: Use a hand tap or a tap in a power drill to create threads in the printed plastic.
    4. Self-forming thread: Printing vertical ridges in the hole for the screws to bite into.
    5. 3D printed threads: Works okay if threads are big enough for your 3D printer to print properly (Video)

  5. Hinges