Omar Khalid
Creating plastic fasteners in SOLIDWORKS involves designing snap hooks, also known as snapfits, which are commonly used to join plastic components without additional hardware like screws or bolts. The process begins by defining a reference point and invoking the fastening feature wizard, where you select Insert > Fastening Feature > Snap Hook. This opens a pane with sections for Snap Hook Selections and Snap Hook Data, allowing you to position the hook on the model body and adjust its geometry. You can also use the Mirror feature to create multiple hooks and grooves for a sturdy fastening. Fine-tuning the gap height and width clearance ensures a secure fit, and you can visualize the design in real time using the graphics window. With these steps, you can create a functional Snap Hook and Groove system for plastic enclosures.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Type of fastener | Snap hook, also referred to as snapfits |
| Material | Plastic |
| Use | Mating plastic components together without the need for additional hardware fasteners such as screws and bolts |
| Parts | Two |
| First part (male) | Cantilever beam with a hook on the end |
| Second part (female) | Receptacle, or groove, into which the cantilever and hook will fit |
| Process | The cantilever undergoes some displacement as it traverses the receptacle, and once it is mated, the cantilever relaxes to provide a tight fastening |
| Steps | Define a reference point, invoke the fastening feature wizard, select INSERT > FASTENING FEATURE > SNAP HOOK, position the hook on the model using Snap Hook Selections options |
| Offset | 2mm offset to the gap height |
| Additional clearance | Add 0.25mm to the width clearance |
| Mirroring | Select the Features tab, click Mirror, select the front plane as the mirror plane, select the hook and groove from the design tree or graphics window |
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What You'll Learn
Snap Hook Design in CAD
To design a snap hook in CAD, you first need to define a reference point for the snap hook. To do this, select the right or front plane and sketch a point on the midpoint of the inner top edge of the box. You can then constrain the point to lie at the midpoint of the edge.
Once the reference point is defined, you can start creating the snap hook feature. You can now change the hook dimensions according to your design requirements. Go back to the Snap Hook section and scroll down to see a 2D illustration of the hook profile and a front view. Here, you can input dimensions for the depth at the top of the hook, the length of the main hook body, and the width at the root. It's important to note that there is no option to select the angle of inclination, which is crucial in snap hook design as it affects mating friction and force. To determine the angle of incidence, you will need to use trigonometry.
After you have positioned the hook and set the dimensions, you can construct the groove into which the hook will fit when the two halves of the box are mated. To do this, first unhide the top half of the box. Then, go to the top menu and select INSERT > FASTENING FEATURE > SNAP HOOK GROOVE. In the Snap Hook Groove pane, select the hook and the body into which you will make the groove. You can now see a groove on the inside face of the selected body. You can also design in some offset to allow the hook greater clearance.
With these steps, you can create a functional snap hook and groove system in CAD.
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Snap Hook and Groove System
To create a Snap Hook and Groove system in SolidWorks, you can follow these steps:
First, start with two halves of a box. You can create one box and mirror it to save time, resulting in a hollow enclosure. Hide the top half of the enclosure by right-clicking on the body representing it and selecting the Hide icon.
Next, define a reference point to locate the snap hook. Select a plane (right or front) to place the snap hook feature. You can then evoke the snap hook feature.
Once you are happy with the groove design, press the green tick, and the Snap Hook Groove pane will close. You will have successfully created a Snap Hook and Groove system at this point.
However, a single snap hook is not very useful for fastening two halves together. You will need to replicate the hook and groove to create more fasteners. To do this, click on the Features tab in the top ribbon menu and select Mirror. Choose the mirror plane and select the hook and groove from the design tree or graphics window. You can now mirror this feature as many times as needed along any plane.
Additionally, you can explore combining the snap hook system with lips and grooves, as many enclosures utilize this combination. This process can also be used to create a hollow cube with snap hook fastening.
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Snap Hook Creation Feature
The snap hook creation feature in SOLIDWORKS allows users to design snap hooks, also known as snapfits, which are a type of integrated plastic fastener used in injection-molded parts. This feature simplifies the process of creating secure fastenings without the need for additional hardware such as screws or bolts.
To begin using the snap hook creation feature, you first need to define a reference point. Once that is done, you can invoke the fastening feature wizard by navigating to INSERT > FASTENING FEATURE > SNAP HOOK in the top menus. This will open up a dedicated pane for designing the snap hook.
The pane is divided into two main sections: Snap Hook Selections and Snap Hook Data. In the Snap Hook Selections section, you can locate and position the hook on the model body. This section allows you to select the face and exact location where you want the hook body, also known as the cantilever part, to appear. The Snap Hook Data section provides a 2D representation of the hook geometry, giving you a visual reference for adjustments.
When designing the snap hook, you can customize various parameters such as the gap height and width clearance to ensure a secure fit. For example, increasing the gap height allows the hook to engage sooner, resulting in a looser fit between the connected parts. Adjustments to these values provide real-time updates in the graphics window, allowing you to visualize the changes and make informed decisions. Once you are satisfied with the design, simply confirm your selections, and you will have created a functional snap hook and groove system.
Additionally, SOLIDWORKS enables you to mirror the snap hook feature, creating multiple instances along any plane. This functionality is particularly useful when designing plastic enclosures that require multiple fastening points. By mirroring the hook and groove, you can efficiently create a sturdy and consistent fastening system for your plastic components.
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Mirroring the Hook and Groove
At this point, you will have a basic snap hook and groove system. However, you can further refine the design by utilising the additional input boxes in the Snap Hook Groove pane. These boxes allow you to introduce an offset, providing greater clearance for the hook. By default, a 2mm offset is applied to the gap height, allowing for earlier engagement of the hook and a looser fit between the top and bottom halves of the box. Depending on your specific requirements, you may need to adjust this offset to achieve the desired level of tightness or looseness in the fastening.
It is important to note that when working with multiple external parts or bodies, you may encounter limitations when trying to create features on them simultaneously. In such cases, you have two options. You can either create the snap hooks and grooves individually, one by one, or you can employ a pattern face or similar tool to create a pattern of the grooves in the downstream part. By understanding and working within these constraints, you can effectively mirror the hook and groove features in SolidWorks to create robust plastic fastening systems.
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Plastic Enclosure Creation
Once you have the models of the internal components, you can proceed to arrange them within the enclosure. Consider the layout and positioning of each component to optimize space utilization and functionality. This step may involve collaborating closely with electronics designers to ensure that their requirements are met and to incorporate any feedback they may have.
After finalizing the arrangement of components, you can begin designing the outer surface or enclosure package. This involves deciding on the shape, size, and overall aesthetics of the enclosure while taking into account factors such as ergonomics, manufacturability, and any industry-specific standards or regulations.
When designing plastic enclosures, it is essential to consider the specific properties of the plastic material you intend to use. Different types of plastics have varying strengths, flexibilities, and thermal properties, which will influence the performance and durability of the enclosure. Additionally, consider any additional treatments or processes that may be required, such as molding, machining, or surface treatments, to achieve the desired finish and functionality.
Throughout the design process, regularly review and analyze the enclosure design for any potential issues or improvements. Utilize SolidWorks' tools and features to simulate real-world conditions and test the performance of your enclosure. This iterative design process will help refine and optimize the enclosure to ensure it meets the required specifications and standards.
Finally, once the design is finalized, you can output the necessary manufacturing files and drawings. These files will serve as the reference for producing the plastic enclosure, ensuring that the final product accurately reflects the design intent and functions as expected.
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Frequently asked questions
Snap hooks, also called snapfits, are a type of plastic fastener used in injection-molded parts. They are used to join plastic components without the need for additional hardware such as screws or bolts.
To create a snap hook in SolidWorks, you need to invoke the fastening feature wizard. Go to the top menus and select INSERT > FASTENING FEATURE > SNAP HOOK. Position the hook on the model using the Snap Hook Selections options.
Go to the top menu and select INSERT > FASTENING FEATURE > SNAP HOOK GROOVE. This will open the Snap Hook Groove selection pane on the left-hand side of the screen. Select the hook from the design tree and the body into which you will make the groove.
You can use pattern-driven mates to create multiple fasteners. Create a hole and pattern it. Then, place your stud and nuts, and pattern the fasteners accordingly. This allows for speed and adjustability, as you can change the hole pattern and the fasteners will move as needed.
