3D Printer Joints: Types and Uses

The advent of 3D printing has greatly increased the efficiency and versatility of producing complex parts with moving parts, intricate designs, and functional capabilities all at once. Making joints, which enable various components to attach, mov, or articulate with one another, is a particularly fascinating use of 3D printing technology. Mechanical, structural, and even creative endeavours rely on joints because of their ability to turn static prints into functional assemblies.

This comprehensive guide will review the various 3D printer joints, how they work, and real-world examples of their use. Picking the correct joint is crucial for any construction project, from basic inclosures to intricate mechanical systems.

1. Snap-Fit Joints

Snap-Fit Joints: What Are They?

The purpose of a snap-fit joint is to facilitate the assembly of multiple parts by eliminating the need for traditional fasteners such as screws or glue. A movable component of these joints clicks into position when pushed into the appropriate groove, hole, or notch. In particular, for plastic components, snap-fit joints are popular due to the ease and economy with which they allow for assembly.

Snap-Fit Joint Types

A wide variety of snap-fit joints are available, and they’re all great for specific tasks:

1. Cantilever snap joint: With its flexible tab that locks into a slot, the cantilever snap joint is the most common type of snap-fit design.

2. Annular snap joint: Circular components, such as bottle caps, are common candidates for the annular snap joint, which consists of a ring-shaped ridge that snaps into a matching groove.

3. ball-and-socket snap joints: Joints that allow for rotation often make use of ball-and-socket snap joints, which are characterised by their pliability and articulated design.

4. Hinge-Snap Fit Pivots: It’s possible to lock and rotate this joint by combining a hinge with a snap-fit component.

Applications of Snap-Fit Joints

When it’s time to put together or take apart a product, snap-fit joints are the way to go. They find widespread application in appliance housings, toy construction, and electronic device cases.

Case in point

Without screws, a 3D-printed phone case with a snap-fit mechanism can be easily and securely clipped onto the phone. Just like that, cantilever snap-fit joints are a common way to make tiny plastic housings for electrical components easy to repair.

Download file: thingiverse

2. Hinged Joints

What Are Hinged Joints?

To turn or pivot around a central axis, two components can use hinged joints. Doors, lids, and other components that open and close frequently often have these joints. You have two options when printing hinges: either print each part separately and then assemble them, or print the whole thing at once.

Types of Hinged Joints

Simple and long-lasting, fixed hinges only permit motion in one direction.

Living hinges are part of a new kind of printed hardware that combines thin, bendable sections of material with their associated components. Their adaptability makes them ideal for uses that aren’t particularly demanding or heavy.

Application of Hinged Joints

Any kind of container, door, or box would be incomplete without hinged joints. Assembling components in this way allows them mobility while keeping them connected to the overall structure.

Case in point

An example of a 3D-printed storage box lid is one that opens and closes effortlessly without the use of screws or metal hinges. Plastic wallets and clamshell containers are two examples of projects that benefit greatly from living hinges.

Download link: thingiverse

3. Ball-and-Socket Joints

What Are Ball-and-Socket Joints?

One component of a ball-and-socket joint fits into a socket on the other. Because of this, the two components can rotate and move in different directions. Products requiring a large range of motion often make use of ball-and-socket joints due to their extreme versatility.

The Ball-and-Socket Joint and Its Utility

Action figures, robots, and other devices that need to move around articulatively often use these joints. They find additional application in lamps and other devices that require precise positioning.

Case in point

When designing robotic limbs, a ball-and-socket joint is the way to go for achieving pliability. To give it a human touch and allow it to move around like a real person, a 3D-printed action figure could have ball-and-socket joints in the limbs.

Download file: thingiverse

4. Dovetail Joints

Why Are Dovetail Joints Necessary?

Parts with a wedge shape that fit together at right angles form dovetail joints, which lock together. Their widespread use in woodworking is due to their extraordinary strength. Dovetail joints provide a safe method of joining two force-sensitive components in three-dimensional printing.

Dovetail Joint Applications

If you need to join two pieces of furniture or frames securely but don’t want to use screws or glue, dovetail joints are the way to go.

Case in point

To make sure the structure doesn’t collapse under weight, a 3D-printed modular shelf unit could utilise dovetail joints to join the sides and shelves.

Download file: thingiverse

5. Press-Fit Joints

Press-Fit Joints: What Are They?

The friction between the two components is what keeps press-fit joints together. When pressed together, the slightly larger part forms a secure connection due to the friction between it and the other part. This fast and simple joint type eliminates the need for screws or adhesives.

Press-Fit Joint Applications

If you need a secure but removable connection for mechanical parts, gears, or electrical components, a press-fit joint is a good choice. Assemblies that may require disassembly for maintenance often contain these components.

Case in point

The use of press-fit joints to connect gears to axles is feasible in a basic gear assembly. The gears won’t slide thanks to the snug friction fit, but they’re still easy to remove as needed.

Download file: thangs

6. Living Hinges

Living hinges: what are they?

A thin, bendable section that enables the connected components to fold or bend is known as a living hinge. Printed as a single unit, living hinges eliminate the need for individual components. For lightweight applications that require a hinge that is flexible but not load-bearing, these are the perfect choice.

The Many Purposes of Living Harmony

Packaging, storage boxes, and other objects that are bent often often use living hinges. They’re great for places where regular hinges made of metal or plastic would be too cumbersome or costly.

Case in point

With a living hinge, the lid of a 3D-printed clamshell container could open and close many times without breaking. Takeout containers and other product packaging made of plastic frequently use this design.

Download file: Makenica

7. Pin Joints

What Are Pin Joints?

Commonly referred to as pivot joints, pin joints enable the rotation of two components by means of a pin that connects them. When it comes to facilitating rotational movement between components, this type of joint is both simple and effective.

Uses of Pin Joints

Mechanical assemblies, including hinges, wheels, and rotating arms, frequently make use of pin joints. You can find them in many toys, basic machines, and 3D-printed mechanical gadgets.

Case in point

A pin joint enables a 3D-printed door to glide effortlessly open and shut. Turntables and wheels are two examples of common rotating mechanisms.

Download file: cgtrader

8. Joints with Threads

A Threaded Joint: What Is It?

One component of a threaded joint twists into a matching thread on the opposite component, creating a screw-like mechanism. For uses involving frequent assembly and disassembly, these joints are perfect.

Threaded Joint Applications

Caps, lids, and mechanical components that require a secure yet removable connection frequently employ threaded joints. They offer a secure fit and are simple to unscrew for reuse.

Case in point

You can undo and reseal the secure closure of a 3D-printed container with threaded lid as many times as you want. A 3D-printed mechanical component could also have threaded joints for safe component attachment and disassembly.

Download file: turbosquid

9. Interlocking Joints

What Are Joints That Interlock?

Like putting together a puzzle, interlocking joints ensure that each component fits snugly into place. You won’t need any fasteners, glue, or screws with these joints because they create a secure bond.

The Many Purposes of Interlocking Joints

For modular designs, interlocking joints are the way to go because they allow parts to fit together securely while still being removable. Typical applications include toys, puzzles, and modular constructions.

Case in point

In order to make sure that a 3D-printed puzzle fits together properly and stays put once put together, the pieces could utilise interlocking joints. The pieces of a modular furniture system can snap together to form a whole, but they are also easily detachable for storage or transportation.

Download file: printables

Best 3D Modelling Software

SelfCAD is a 3D printing software designed to help students easily create and prepare models for printing. It is simple to learn, making it ideal for use in schools and classrooms. Students can use it to design, edit, and slice their 3D models all in one place. Because it runs in a web browser, teachers and students can access it from any computer with internet. This makes it a useful tool for teaching 3D design and printing in both in-person and online classes.

SelfCAD is a complete solution for varied design requirements because it includes sculpting, rendering, slicing, and 3D printing tools. Users of the cloud-based platform may easily save and share their work, collaborate in real-time, and view their projects from any location. SelfCAD is an appealing option for anyone wishing to discover and release their creativity in 3D modeling due to its accessibility, adaptability, and emphasis on parametric design.

Final Verdict

With 3D printer joints, the sky’s the limit when it comes to making dynamic, long-lasting, and practical designs. Having a good grasp of the various kinds of 3D printer joints, from simple snap-fit and hinge joints to more intricate ball-and-socket and dovetail connections, can greatly improve your design skills.

You can make 3D-printed things that are more durable, adaptable, and useful by choosing the right joint type for your job. To get the most out of your 3D printing projects, whether they’re simple inclosures or intricate mechanical assemblies, you must master the art of 3D printer joints.