The First Snap-Fit Handbook

Snap-fits have long been used to join plastic parts, but the available technical know-how focused only on locking feature performance, primarily the cantilever hook. The 'system level' knowledge and design skills needed to create good snap-fit interfaces existed in the minds of self-taught snap-fit experts but was not captured in the literature. New designers of plastic parts wishing to use snap-fit had nowhere to turn unless they were fortunate enough to have access to an experienced snap-fit designer. This book organizes and presents all design aspects of snap-fits with an emphasis on the systems level thinking required to create world-class attachments. Beginning as well as experienced product designers will find the information they need to develop snap-fits more efficiently and avoid many common snap-fit problems. Content includes: - Minimum Requirements for Successful Snap-Fits - Details of Constraint Features - Improving Snap-Fits with Enhancements - Fundamental Concepts behind Snap-Fit Performance - Feature Analysis - A Logical Process for Creating Snap-Fits - Diagnosing and Fixing Snap-Fit Problems