Our convenient daily lives are actually filled with complex tools and components, from small staplers to large cars and motorcycles. If you take any single component apart, you'll find that they all require a "combination structure" to connect with each other. This time, we'll introduce some common combination structures and design principles to provide you with more methods for designing products.
We can first divide these structures into two types of combinations: "disposable" and "repeatable". If the combination does not need to be disassembled, the "disposable" combination structure will be chosen because it is more stable. Conversely, if it is needed for functions such as buckles, opening and closing mechanisms, or if it needs to be disassembled to test other combinations, the reusable structure will be chosen.
This time, we will first introduce several common disposable modular structures: they cannot be disassembled after assembly and are stable and durable.
Suitable for products with streamlined internal space, or designs that favor a simplified appearance, enclosed shells, etc. After being snapped together, the absence of protruding components reduces the risk of accidental disassembly.
2. Sleeve + barb
Its design principle is to use the open spring design of the sleeve to generate a slight tension to allow the buckle to pass through, and to use the barb to buckle the sleeve in the opposite direction; since the connection is inside, it will be completely covered by the component shell, so if the gap is designed correctly, the object will be very strong and stable.
3. Self-locking buckle
Another commonly used structure and upper sleeve combination is the concept of male and female interchange, changing the buckle to an open design and bending slightly outward; it narrows when the structure is assembled, and expands again after reaching the position to hold the object.
Compared to the previous image, this design differs in that the expansion screws are individual and independent of the components. The advantage is that the screws can still be removed separately by drilling or disassembly after the parts are assembled. Plastic injection molding is a common method for mass production; however, SLS 3D printing technology not only allows for understanding product shapes during the development phase but can also be directly used for testing more complex components because Sinterit 's laser powder technology has virtually no limitations on the structure of the prototype sample. (What is SLS 3D printing technology? A beginner's guide: Comparison and principles of common 3D printing technologies )
Traditional assembly structures can certainly be assembled using glue, nails, or screws, but this often damages the product casing or aesthetics, or renders the prototype unusable for prototyping. The structures introduced here can all be completed in a single print using the Sinterit Lisa and Lisa PRO 3D printers with SLS technology, resulting in aesthetically pleasing and stable performance, providing product designers with more practical inspiration.
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