Ta bl

blee of Conte
Conte nts

Topic Part

Introduction. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Introduc
Introducti
tion
on

Snap-Fi
Sna p-Fitt Des
Desiign App
Appllica
cati
tions
ons . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . I

Types of Snap-Fits
Snap-Fits . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . II
II

Snap-Fi
Sna p-Fitt Beam Des
esiign Using
Using Class ica
call Beam Theo
heory
ry . . . . . . . . . . . . . II
III

Improved Cantilever Snap-Fit Design. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . IV

U
U“
“ “&L
““Sha
Shape
ped
d Snap
S napss . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . V

General Des
Des ign Guide
Guidellines . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . VI
VI

Engliis h/M
Engl h/Metri
etricc Conversi
Co nversion
on Chart
Cha rt . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Ins
Insiide Back Cover
Introduction

Sna p-Fi
p-Fitt De s ign

This manual will guide you through the Abo ut BASF

BASF Performa nc e P oly
olyme
me rs
basics of snap-fit design, including: types BASF Plastics is a fully integrated, global supplier of
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oundiing, ma nufnufac
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ture and di
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stributi
bution
on of hundreds
hundred s
of resin grad
gradeses .
how to calculate the strength of the unit and
BASF is
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of research and development engineers continues to
three common causes of failure in snap-fits
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de vel
elop
op new res ins to further
further extend the hori
ho rizons
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PET))

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Pa rt I

Sna p-Fi
p-Fitt Des ign App lic a ti
tion
onss
Why ususee sna
s nap-fi
p-fits
ts?? Thi
hiss c hap ter wil
will gi
give
ve you
you a thumb
th umbnail
nail
s ketch of the bene fits of snap -f-fiits and
a nd the materi
m aterial
alss us ed
to make them. UNDERCUT

Snap-fits are the simplest, quickest and most cost-

effec
effecti
tiv
ve method
metho d of ass embemblling two parts. When de signed
properly, parts with snap-fits can be assembled and
REQUIRES SLIDE IN MOLD
disassembled numerous times without any adverse effect
on the as se
sembl
mbly y. Snap-fi
Snap-fitsts are also
also the mo st
envi
en vironme
ronmenta
ntallly fri
friend
end ly form
form of
o f ass em
embly
bly be
beca
caus
usee
of their ease of disassembly, making components of
different materials easy to recycle.

Although sna p-fi

p-fitsts can be de designed
signed wi with
th many
ma ny material
materials,
s,
SLOT
the ideal material is thermoplastic because of its high
flexibility and its ability to be easily and inexpensively
molde
mol dedd into
into complex geo geometri
metries es . Other ad advantages
vantages NO SLIDE REQUIRED

include its relatively high elongation, low coefficient of

fri
riction,
ction, and
a nd s uff
uffiicient s trength and ri rigidi
gidity
ty to meet
me et the
requirements
requi rements of most a pp ppllica
cati
tions
ons .

The designer should be aware that the assembly may have

some play“
p
“ lay“due to tolerance sta stack-up
ck-up of the two mati mating
ng
parts. Some s nap-fnap-fiits can also
also increase
increase the co st
of an injection molding tool due to the need for slides in the
mold. An experienc
experienc ed des
d es igne
gnerr ca
cann often
often elimi
elimina
natete the NO SLIDE REQUIRED,
need
ne ed for sl
s lide
dess by ad ding a s lot in the wal
wa ll dir
direc
ectl
tly
y below MOLD LESS COMPLEX

the undercut or by placiplacing

ng the s naps on the e dge of the the
part, so they face outward (see Figure I-1). Figu
Figu re I-1

I-1
S N A P - F I T D E S I G N A P P L IC
I C A T IO
IO N S

Concluding points: Sna Snap-fi

p-fits
ts so
sollve the probl
p roblem
em of
of
creating an inexpe
inexpensivnsivee comp
c omponent
onent tha t can be quiquickl
ckly
y
and e as ily joioined
ned with an anothe
othe r piece
piece.. Thermo
hermoplas
plasti
tics
cs
are the ide deal
al material
material for
for snap
sn ap-f
-fiits b eca us
usee they
the y have the
flexi
exibil
biliity and res
resiilien
ence
ce nec es s ary to all
allow
ow for numerou
num erouss
asse
as sembl
mbly y and didisa
sassss embl
embly y operations.
operations.

Door handle
handle be zel

Ba c ks id e o f b e ze l De ta il o f b a c ks id e o f b e ze l, c a ntile ve r d e s ig n

I-2
Pa rt II
II

Type s of Sna p-
p-Fi
Fits
ts
Thi
hiss cha
chapte
pterr provide
providess an overv
o verviiew of the did ifferen
erentt types of When designing a cantilever snap, it is not unusual for the
canti
ca ntillever snap-fi
sna p-fits
ts and gi
gives
ves an
a n ide
ideaa of
o f when
when they
the y are use d. designer
de signer to g o through s everal iterations
terations (chachangi
nging
ng length,
thicknes
thicknes s, de
defflec
ecti
tion
on d imens ions
ons,, etc .) to de sign a s nap
nap-f
-fiit
Mosostt engi
e nginee
neeriring
ng mate
materi
rial
al app lica
cati
tions
ons wi
withth s nap
nap-f-fiits us
usee the
with a lower allowable strain for a given material.
canti
ca ntillever des
d es ign (see
(se e Figure
Figure II-1) and,
and , thus , this manua
ma nuall wiwilll
focus on that d es esiign. The cylc ylindri
ndrica
call de
dess ign can
c an be
be Other types of snap-fits which can be used are the “U“
employed
em ployed whe n an a n unfil
unfilled thermo
thermoplasplasti
ticc mate
m ateririal
al with
with or L
““s ha
hape
pedd cant
c antiilever s nap s (s ee Pa
Part
rt Vfor more
mo re deta
d etaiil).
highe
higherr elongati
elonga tion
on will
will be us
used
ed (a typical appli
ap plica
cati
tion
on is anan Thes e are
a re used
us ed when the s trai
train
n of the
the s trai
traight
ght ca nti
ntillever
as pi
piri
rinn bottl
bo ttle/c
e/cap
ap as
asse
se mbly
mbly)). sna p cannot
c annot b e des
d es igned bebellow the al
a llowab
owablle s trai
train
n for
for the
given material.

Concluding points: Mos ostt ap pl

pliica
cati
tions
ons ca
can
n empl
e mploy
oy a
canti
ca ntillever type s nap -fi
-fitt in
in the d es ign. In appli
ap plica
cati
tions
ons wi
with
th
tight
tight pa ckaging requirements
requirements , the “U“or U“or “L“s hap
hapeded s nap ma y
be required.
Y

CANTILEVER

“U” SHAPED CANTILEVER Automotive oil filter snaps

“L” SHAPED CANTILEVER

Figu
Figu re II-1

Cordless screw driver housing, cantilever snap-fit

II-1
P a rt II
III

Sna p-Fi
p-Fitt De
De s ign Usi
Us ing Cla
Cla s s ic a l Be a m The ory
A de
design
sign engineer’s
engineer’s job is to find find a ba
ballanc
ancee b etween MATI
MATING
NG FORCE
FOR CE
integrity of the assembly and strength of the cantilever
beam.
be am. Whi hille a c anti
antillever beam
bea m with
with a de ep overhang
can
ca n make the uni u nitt secure,
se cure, it
it also
also puts more s trai
train
n on the P

beam
be am during
during ass emb
emblly and dis dis as se mbl
mbly.
y. Thi
hiss chap ter R

explai
expl ains
ns how this
this baballanc
ancee is a chi
chieved.
eved. α' W
α

A typical snap-fit assembly consists of a cantilever beam

with
with an
a n overhang at the end of the bea
b eam
m (see Figure
gure III-1).
The dep
d epth
th of the overhang de fines the amount
am ount of
deflection during assembly.
FRICTION CONE R
}

P α+β
ENTRANCE
ENTRANCE SIDE
SI DE
W

β
α

RETRACTION SIDE

Frict
Frict ion Co efficien t µ = tan β
efficien

Mating
Mating Force =W

OVERHANG DEPTH W = P ta n(α + β)

µ—+ tan α
Figu
Figu re III-1 W =P— —— ————
tan α
1– µ tan

Figu
Figu re III
II-2
-2
The overhang
o verhang typica
typicallly has a gentl
g entlee ramp on the entrance
side and a s harpe
harperr angle on the retraction
retraction side. The smal s malll
angl a t the entrance s ide (α) (s
anglee at (s ee Fi
Figu
gure
re III-2
-2)) helps to The main design consideration of a snap-fit is integrity
reducee the as se mbly eff
reduc effort,
ort, whil
while the s harp a nglnglee at
a t the of the as s emb ly and stre strength
ngth of the be am. The integ integririty
ty of
on s ide (α)“ makes disa
retraction
retracti disass s emb ly very
very diff
difficult or the as
a s s emb
emblly is co
control
ntrollled by the s ti tifffnes s (k) of the beam
be am
impos sibl
siblee d ep
epend
endiing on the intend
intended ed functi
unction.
on. Both the and the amount
a mount ofo f de
defflec
ectition
on requi
req uired
red for ass embemblly or
assembly and disassembly force can be optimized by disa
di sa ss emb
emblly. RiRigi
gidi
dity
ty can be increas ed ei either
ther by using
using a
modiifying the angles menti
mod mentioned
oned ab above.
ove. highe
higherr modul
mod ulus
us ma
materi
terial
al (E)
(E) or by
b y incre
increas as ing the
th e cros
c rosss
s ec
ecti
tiona
onall mom
momentent of inertia
inertia (I
(I) of the beab eam.
m. The produ
p roduct ct of
thes e two p aram
arameteetersrs (EI
EI)) wi
will determi
dete rmine ne the tota
totall ri
rigidi
gidity
ty of
a gi
g iven b eaeam
m length.
length.

III-1
S N A P - F I T D E S I G N U S I N G C L A S S I C A L B E A M TH
TH E O R Y

The integrity
integrity of the a ss emb
emblly can al also
so be improved b y Can ti
tillever Be am : Defl
Deflec
ec ti
tion-S
on-S train Formulas
increas ing the overhang dep th. As a res ul ult,
t, the beam
has to de flec ectt further
further and, therefore, requires
requires a grea ter P
t
effort
eff ort to c lea
earr the overhang
o verhang from the interl nterloc
ockiking
ng hoo
h ook.
k.
However, as the beam deflection increases, the beam
s tres
tresss a ls o incre
increas
as es . Thi
hiss will
will res
resul
ultt in
in a fail
failure if
if the b ea
eamm
stres s is ab
above
ove the yiel
yield
d s trength of the materi
mate rial
al.. L
b

Thus, the deflection must be optimized with respect to the

I ) Uniform
Uniform Cross Sect ion,
yield
eld strength
s trength or
o r strain of the
the mate
materi
rial.
al. Thi
hiss is ac
achi
hieved
eved by
Fixed End to Free End
optimi
optimizizing
ng the bea
beam m secti
s ection
on ge ometry toto ensure
e nsure that
tha t the
P Eb 3

4 (L )
t
des ired defl
d eflection
ection can
c an b e reached
rea ched wi
without
thout excee di ding
ng the Stiffness: k = =
Y
strength or strain limit of the material.
t
Strain: e = 1.50 ( )Y 2
The assembly and disassembly force will increase with L

both
bo th s ti
tifffnes s (k) and ma
maxi
ximum
mum de defflec
ecti
tion
on o f the bea
b eam
m (Y).
The force (P) required to deflect the beam is proportional
to the prod uct of the the two fac
factors:
tors: P t
2
t
P= kY

The s ti
tifffnes s val
value
ue (k)
(k) de
depe
pends
nds on bea
b eam
m geometry
ge ometry as
L
s ho
hown
wn in Fi
Figu
gurere III-3
-3..
b

Stress or strain induced by the deflection (Y) is also shown

II ) Uniform
Uniform Width,
Width, Height
Height Tapers
in Figure
Figure III-3. The c alcul
alculate
atedd s tres
tresss or strai
s train
n value
value s hould
to t/ 2 at Free End
End
be less than the yield strength or the yield strain of the
P Eb
t 3

6.528 (L )
material in order to prevent failure. Stiffness: k = =
Y
t
When selecting the flexural modulus of elasticity (E) Strain: e =0 .9 2 ( )Y 2
L
for hygros
hygroscop
cop ic materi
m aterial als,
s, i.e., nylon,
nylon, c are s houl
houldd be taken.
In the dry as mol
moldededd sta
state te (DA
(DAM), the da datas
tashee
heett value
value may
be us
used
ed to c al
alcul
culate
ate stif
stifffnes s, dedefflec
ecti
tion
on or retention
retention force
b
of s nap de
dess ign. Under normal
norma l 50% relative
relative humidity
humidity P
t
cond iti
tions
ons , however, the the physi
p hysicacall prope rti
rties
es de
decreas
creas e
and,, therefore,
and therefore, the stif
stifffnes s and retenti
retentionon force
force reduc
reducee
whille the d efl
whi eflec
ecti
tion
on increas
increas es . Both scena sc enari rios
os sh
shoul
ould
d be
be
checked. L b
4

III) Uniform Height,Width

Height,Width Taper s
to b/ 4 at Free End
End
P Eb t 3
Stiffness: k =
Y
= (L )
5.136
t
Strain: e =1 .1 7 ( )Y 2
L

Where:
E = Fl
Flexura
exura l Mod
odulus
ulus
P = Force
Y= Deflection
b = Width of Beam

Figu
Figu re III
II-3
-3

III-2
S N A P - F I T D E S I G N U S I N G C L A S S I C A L B E A M TH
TH E O R Y

Concluding points: In a typical snap-fit, the strength

of a beam is dependent on its geometry and maximum
defflec
de ecti
tion
on during
during as se mbl
mbly.
y. The force
force to as se mble and
disassemble snap-fit assemblies is highly dependent on
the overhang entrance and retraction angles.

Close
Close -up of automotive
automotive fuse b ox, snap on s ides of box Close
Close -up of automo ti
tive
ve fuse
fuse box snap

Close- up o f automo tiv

tivee fuse bo x, full
full vi
view
ew

III-3
Pa rt IV
IV

Im pro ve d Ca nti
ntille ve r Sna p-
p-Fi
Fitt De
De s ign
The ca
cantintillever beam
be am formul
ormulas as us
used ed in c onventi
onventionalonal
s nap
nap-f
-fiit des ign underes
und eresti timate
mate the amouamount nt of strain at
the bea
b eam/wal
m/walll interf
nterfac
acee bec
b ecausaus e they
the y do not inclinclude
ude the
defforma
de ormati tion
on in
in the wall itstself
elf.. Ins
nstea
tead,
d, the y as s ume theth e wall
to be co
comp mpllete
etelly rigid
rigid with
with the de defflec
ecti
tion
on ococcurri
curring
ng only in
the be am. Thi hiss ass
a ss umpti
umptionon mayma y be val aliid when the ratio
ratio of
beam length to thickness is greater than about 10:1.
However,
Howev er, to ob tai
tainn a more acc a ccurate
urate p redi
redicti
ction
on of total
allowable deflection and strain for short beams, a
magnification factor should be applied
to the co
conventi
nventiona
onall formula. Thi hiss will
will ena ble grea ter
flexibility in the design while taking full advantage of
the s trai
train-c
n-carry
arryiing cacapa
pabil
biliity of the mate
m ateri rial.
al.

BASF Plas
BASF Plas ti
tics
cs has de devvel
elope
ope d a method for es ti timati
mating
ng
these deflection magnification factors for
various
ous sn
snap
ap-f-fiit bea
b eam/wal
m/walll confi
configurati
gurations
ons as sho
shownwn
in Figure
Figure IV-1. The res resul
ults
ts of this
this tec
techni
hniqu
que,
e, which
have been verified both by finite element analysis and
tual part testing 1, are shown graphically in Figure IV-1.
actual
ac
Figure
Figure IV-2 s hows s imi millar res ul
ults
ts for be am
amss of
tapered cross se secti
ction
on (bea
(beam m thickness
thickness decdecreasi
reasing
ng
by 1/2 at the tip).

Snap-Fit Design Examples 1 &2 illustrate this procedure

for de s igning snap
s nap -fi
-fits
ts,, inc
incllud
udiing c alcul
alculating
ating the ma
maxi
ximum
mum
strain developed during assembly and predicting the snap-
in force requir
re quired
ed..

1Chul S. Lee, Alan Dubin and ElmeElmerr D.

D. Jones
Jo nes , Short
S
“ hort Cantilever Beam
Deflec
ec ti
tion
on Analysis
Analysis Applied to Thermop las ti
ticc S nap -Fi
-Fitt Desi
Des ign,“
gn,“198
19877 SPE
S PE
ANTEC, held in Los Angeles, California, U.S.A.

IV-1
IMPROVED CANTILEVER SNAP-FIT DESIGN

8. 0

ON A BLOCK
(SOLID WALL)
7. 0

6. 0 4
2
ON A PLATE
(OR THIN WALL)

Q
3
R
O 5. 0
T
C
A
F
N 5
IO
T
A
C
I
F
I 4. 0
N
G
A
M
N
O
I
T
C
E
L 3. 0
F
E
D

2. 0

1. 0

0. 0

0 .0 1 .0 2 .0 3.0 4 .0 5.0 6.0 7 .0 8 .0 9 .0 1 0 .0 1 1.0

ASPECT RATIO, L/t

Uniform
Uniform Beam , Q Fact or
Figu
Figu re IV-1

IV-2
IMPROVED CANTILEVER SNAP-FIT DESIGN

8 .0

t/2

7 .0

6 .0
2T

Q 5T
R
O 5 .0
T
C
A
F
N
IO
T
A
C
I
F
I 4 .0
N
G
A
M 5T
N
IO
T
C
E
L 3 .0
F
E
D

2 .0

2T

1 .0

0 .0

0 .0 1.0 2 .0 3 .0 4 .0 5 .0 6 .0 7.0 8.0 9 .0 1 0 .0 1 1 .0

ASPECT RATIO, L/t

Tap ered Bea m, Q Factor

Figu
Figu re IV-2

IV-3
IMPROVED CANTILEVER SNAP-FIT DESIGN

Improved Formulas Allow ab le Stra in Value

Value , eo
MATERIAL UNFILLED 30% GLAS S
b P EI 9.8%(2)
t P PC 4%(1) - 9.2%(2)
W
Acetal 7%(1) 2.0%
Y Nylon
Nylon 6 (4) 8% (5) 2.1%(1)
PBT 8.8%(2) 2.0%
P C/P ET 5.8%(2)
ABS 6% - 7%(3)
α
L
P ET 1.5%(1)
Table IV-I

Figure IV-3 NOTES:

(1)
70% of tensile yield strain value
(2)
G.G. Trantina. Plastics Engineering.
MAX
MAXIM
IMUM
UM S TRA
TRAIIN (@BAS
(@BASE)
E) August 1989.
tY
(3)
V.H. Trumb
Trumbull
ull.. 19
1984
84 ASME WiWinte
nterr Annu
Annual
al Conferenc
Confere ncee
∈ = 1.5 ———- (4)
DAM - “Dry
Dry As Molde d “cocond
ndiition
2
L Q
(5)
BASF
BA SF test lab; Note 4% s houl
houldd be
b e us ed in Mati
Mating
ng Force
MATING FORCE Formula
W = Pµ—
+——tan α
———— Co e ffi
fficient
cient o f Fri
Fricc ti
tion
on (1)
tan α
1– µ tan
MATERIAL µ
∈
P = bt
2
E—
—— — ——— P EI 0.20 - 0.25
6L
PC 0.25 - 0.40
Ac etal 0.20 - 0.35
Where: Nyllon 6
Ny 0.17
0.1 7 - 0. 40
W = Pus h-on Force Force P BT 0.35 - 0.40
W’ = Pull-off Force P C/PET 0.40 - 0.50
P = Perpe ndi ndicul
cular
ar Force
Force ABS 0.50 - 0.60
µ = Co
Coeff
effiicient of Frict
Frictiion P ET 0.18 - 0.25
α = Leaeadd Angle
α’ = Return Angle Tab le IV-II
b = Beam Width Width NOTES:
t = Bea m Thi Thicknes
cknes s (1)
Material tested against itself
L = Beam Length
E = Fl
Flexura
exura l Mod odulus
ulus
∈ = Strain at Base
∈o = Allowa
owable ble Mat
aterial
erial Strai
Stra in
Q = Deflection Magnification Factor
(refer to Figure IV-2 for proper
Q values)
Y = Deflection

Wheel cover with cantilever snaps

IV-4
IMPROVED CANTILEVER SNAP-FIT DESIGN

Snap -Fi
-Fitt Des ign Ex
Exam
am pl
plee #1 Snap -Fi
-Fitt Des ign Ex
Exam
am pl
plee #2
Uniform Beam - Type 4 Uniform Beam - Type 5
GIVEN: GIVEN:
b P
Material ⇒ Ultradur B4300 G3 Y Material ⇒ Unfilled
t
P
W (PBT) Acetal
Y t = 3 mm t = 0.063 in
L = 15 mm Y = 0.090 in
L
L b = 6 mm b L = 0.225 in
t
α E = 4830 MPa b = 0.242 in
µ = 0.3 (From Table
IV-II, Coefficient of Figure IV-5
Friction)
α = 30
30..0° DETERMINE:
∈o = 2.5% (From Table
IV-I, Allowable IS THIS TYPE OF SNAP-FIT ACCEPTABLE FOR USE IN
Strain Value) ACETAL (ULTRAFORM N2320 003)

Figure IV-4
DETERMINE: SOLUTION:

A) THE MAX
MAXIMUM DEFLE
DEFLECCTION OF SNAP
SNAP tY (From Q Factor Graph,
∈ = 1.5 ———-
2
L Q Figure IV-1)
B) THE MATI
MATING
NG FORCE
FORC E
L = 3.57
— 3.57 ⇒ Q = 2.7
SOLUTION: t
A) THE MAXIMUM AL
ALLOWABLE
LOWABLE DEFLEC
DEFLECTION
TION OF SNAP
S NAP (0.063)(0.090)
∈ = 1.5 —————
2 ———— = 6.2%
(0.225) (2.7)
∈o L2 Q
1.5 tY
∈o = 1. — max
——- ⇒ Ymax = —— ——
2
L Q 1.5 t Therefore, it is acceptable for unfilled acetal (POM)
L = 5.0 ⇒ Q = 2.07 (from Q Factor Graph) (See Allowable Strain Value, Table IV-1).
—
t
(0.025)(15)2 (2.07) Concluding points: Unlike conventional formulas, BASF
Ymax = —————————— ——=
= 2.59 mm
1.5(3) include
ncludess the de
defflec
ecti
tion
on mag
m agni
niffica
cati
tion
on factor
fac tor in
in all ca
callculati
culations
ons .
The examples s how how to calculcalculateate the ma
maxi ximum
mum s trai
train
n
There
hereffore, in
in an actua
a ctua l de
dess ign, a small
s maller
er value
value for de
defflec
ecti
tion
on
during
duri ng as se mbl
mbly y and how to pred ict
(Y) would be chosen for an added factor of safety.
the force needed for assembly.
B) THE MA
MATING
TING FOR
FORCCE
bt—
2 ∈o
E—
P=— — ——
6L
6(3)2 (4830)(0.025)
P = ——————————— = 72.45 N
6(15)

W = Pµ—
+——tan
——a——
1–µ tan a
0.3 + tan30º
W = 72.45 ———————— = 76.9 N
(72.45)¹ – 0.3 (tan30º)

Therefore, it will take 76.9 N mating force to

as s emb
emblle p arts, if the p art de flecte
ectedd to the ma teri
terial
al’’s
allowab
allowab le s trai
train.
n. Close
Close -up of automotive
automotive whee l cover snap s

IV-5
Pa rt V

U
“ “& L
“ “Sha pe d Sna ps
The cantilever beam snap-fit design isn’t appropriate
for all
all ap
appli
plica
cati
tions
ons . Thi
hiss chap
c hap ter de fines “L“
L“a nd U“
U
“ “s ha
hape
pe d
snap s a nd tell
tells when they are used .

Occasionally, a designer will not be able to design a

canti
ca ntillever s nap -fi -fitt co nfigurati
gura tion
on with a s trai
train
n below
b elow the
allowa
allowable ble lilimit of the inte
inte nd
ndeded ma
mate
teri
rial.
al. Thi
Thiss is us ua
uallly d ue
to li
limi
mited
ted pa
packaging
ckaging sp ac acee which
which c an res tri
trict
ct the length of
the s nap
nap.. Thi hiss is the idedeal
al ti
time
me to cons idederr using
using either an “L” SHAPED CANTILEVER
L
“ “s hap
hapeded sna p or a “U“sha pe ped d sna p.
Figure V-1
The L “ “s hap ed s nap (s ee Fi Figure
gure V-1) is is forme
ormed d b y des igning
in s lots in the ba bass e wa ll whi
which ch eff
effec
ecti
tivel
vely y increa
increa s es the
beam length and flexibility compared to a standard
canti
ca ntillever bea m. Thi hiss al
a llows the d es ignegnerr to red
reduce
uce the
s trai
train
n duri
d uring
ng as s emb ly bel be low the
th e all
allowab
owab le limi
mitt of the
se lec
ectedted ma teri
terial
al.. It should be note d that ad di ding
ng a s lot to
the ba se wal walll may not be acce ptabl ptablee in some d es esiigns for
cos meti
meticc or air
air fl
flow conce
co ncerns.rns.

The U“
U
“ “s ha
hape
pedd s na
napp (see FiFigure
gure V-2)
V-2) is
is ano
another
ther way to
increase the effective beam length within a limited space
envelope.. With
envelope th this
this des
d es ign, even
e ven materi
mat erials
als with
with low
low
allowa
allowable
ble s trai
train
n limi
limits
ts (s uch as hi
highly
ghly glas
glas s -filled ma
materi
terials)
als)
can be des igned to mee t ass embl embly y requi
requirements.
rements. The “U” SHAPED CANTILEVER
U
“ “sha pe
ped d d es ign us ual
uallly incorpo
incorpo rates the und ercut on the
outer edge
e dge of the pa rt to elimi
eliminate
nate the ne ed for sl s lide in the Figure V-2
mold, unless a slot is acceptable in the wall from which the
snap proj
projects
ects..

V-1
“U “ & “L “ S H AP
A P E D S N A P S ( C O N S T AN
AN T C R O S S S E C T I O N )

L
L“
“ “S HA
HAP
P ED S NAP–FIT L Shaped Snap-F
Snap-Fit
it Example
Example
P A) Ca
Callcu
cullat
atee the mini
minimum
mum length
leng th (L
(L2) of the s lot (see
(se e
s ketc
ketch,
h, Fi gure V-3) in the main wall for Ultramid 8233 nylon
Figure
in the confi
co nfiguration
guration bel
be low. The req uiuired
red defl
d eflec
ecti
tion
on is
is .38
.3 8
L1
inches.
t
A A
B) Calcul
Calculate
ate the requir
re quired
ed force (P) to defl
d eflec
ectt the
R b
snap .38 inches
inches .
Section
A-A
GIVEN:

L2 ∈8233 = .025
t = .1 in
L1 = .5 in
Figure V-3
R = .12
.12 in
I = Momen
Momentt of Ine
Inerti
rtiaa (rect
(rectang
angle)
le)
(6/∈o)Yt(L1+ R) - 4L13 - 3R(2πL12 + πR2 + 8L1R) bt 3 1(.1)3
L2 = ——— —————————— ———-
—----------–––——–———— I= = = 8.333(10-5)
12(L1 +R)2 12 12
E = 1.31 (106)
or,
b = 1.0 in
Y = .38
P
Y= [4L13+3R(2πL12 +πR2 + 8L1R) + 12L2(L1 + R)2]
12EI (6/∈ ) Yt(L + R) - 4L13 - 3R(2πL12 + πR2 + 8L1R)
Yt(L
A) L2 = —–––––———1————— ——————————————
12(L1 +R)2

Where:
L2 = Length of slot as s hown in in sketch
ske tch (6/.025)(.38)(..1)(.62) - 4(.5)3 - .36[.5π +.122π + 4(.12)]
)(.38)( 12)]
∈o = Allowable strain of material = —————————————2———————————––
12(.62)
Y = Maximum deflection required in direction
of force
t = Thi
hicknes
cknes s L2 = 0.954 in
L1 = Length as shown in in sketch
s ketch
R = Radius
Radius a s shown in in sketch
(at neu
neutral
tral axis
axis )
B) Y= P [4L13+3R(2πL12 +πR2 + 8L1R) + 12L2(L1 + R)2]
P = Force 12EI
b = Beam Width
Width
E = Fl
Flexura
exura l Mod
odulus
ulus
.38 = P [4(.5)3+(.36)[.5π+
I = Momomen
entt of
o f Ine
nerti
rtiaa (12)(1.31)(10 )(8.333)(10-5)
6

.122π+ 8(.5).12]
8(.5).12] + 12(0.954)(.62)2]

.38 = P (5.655
1.31(103)

P= 88 lb

V-2
“U “ & “L “ S H A P E D S N A P S

U Sha
Shaped
ped Snap–Fit
Snap–Fit U
“ Shaped
Shaped Snap
Snap
Example #1

P
P
t
L1
L1 L2
b
L2
R
R Section
A A
A-A

Case 1
Case 1
A) Calcul
Calculate
ate the amo
amount
unt of
o f de
defflec
ecti
tion
on a t the ti
tip
p of
o f the
Y= ∈ [6L + 9R {L1(2πL1 + 8R) + πR }+
1
3 2 beam
bea m for
for a 1.0 pound load
9(L1 + R)t
6L2 (3L12 - 3L1L2 +L22 )] GIVEN:

P = 1.0 lblb
or, I = 0.8 33 x 10-4 in4 = bt 3 /12 (rectang ul
ular
ar cros
crosss sec ti
tion)
on)
E = 534,000 psi
R = 0.15 in in
P
Y= [6L13 + 9R {L1(2πL1 + 8R) + πR2}+ L1 = 1.4
1 .4 in
in
18EI L2 = 0.973
0 .973 in
6L2 (3L12 - 3L1L2 +L22 )] t = 0.1 in
in
b = 1.0 inin

6L13 + 9R{L1(2πL1 + 8R) + πR2} + 6L2(3

A) Y = P [ 6L (3L
L12 - 3L
3L1L2 + L22)]
18EI
1
L3 t Y= [6(1.4)3 +9(0.15){(1.4)
18(534,000)(0.833 x 10 )
-4

P
L2 L1 b (2π•1.4 + 8 • 0.15) + π(0.15)2} + 6(0.973
6 (0.973))
{3(1.4) - 3(1.4)(0.973) + (0.973)2}]
2

R Section
A A = 0.064 in
A-A

Case 2

∈
Y= [4L13 + 2L33 +3R {L1(2πL 1 + 8R) + πR2}]
3(L1 + R)t

or,

Y = P [4L13 + 2L33 +3R {L1(2πL 1 + 8R) + πR2}]

6EI

Where:

Vari
ariab
ablles de
deffined on previ
previous
ous pa
page.
ge.

V-3
“U “ & “L “ S H A P E D S N A P S

U“
U
“ “Sha pe d Sna p Concluding points: Sna Snap-fi
p-fits
ts can
c an us e ei
e ither the “U“or
U“or “L“
Exam
Ex am ple #2 sha pe
pedd design
de sign toto overcome
overcome s pa pacece li
limi
mitati
tations
ons.. Both the
the “L“
and U “ “s hap ed s nap s e ffec
ectitivel
vely
y red
reduce
uce s trai
train
n duri
du ring
ng
as s em
embly
bly,, thus making it it ide
ideal
al for
for ma teri
terials
als with
with lower
L3
allowa
allowableble s train li
limits.
P
L2 L1

Case 2
A) Calcul
Calculate
ate the amo
amount
unt of
o f de
defflec
ecti
tion
on a t the ti
tip
p of
o f the
beam
bea m for
for a 1.0 pound load

GIVEN:

I = 0.833 x 10-4 in4

E = 534,000 psi
R = 0.15 in
L1 = 0.7 in
L1 = L2
L3 = 0.273 in
t = 0.1 in
in Automotive wheel cover

P
Y = [4L 3 + 2L33 + 3R {L1(2πL1 + 8R) + πR2}]
6EI 1
1
= [4(0.7)3 + 2(0.273)3 +
6(534,000)(0.833 x 10-4)
3(0.15){0.7(2π • 0.7 + 8(0.15)) + π (0.15)2}]

= 0.012 in

Close -up of above c over backside featuring

Close featuring the “L“sha pe d s nap -fi
-fitt
des ign (from
(from a top a ngle)

Inse t shot of a “U“

U“shap ed snap -fi
-fitt d esign

V-4
P a rt VI
VI

Gene ra
rall De s ign Gui
Guide
de line s
Three basic issues should be reviewed before finalizing be tween the pa
between parts,
rts, relaxati
relaxation on a t the joi oint
nt ca n res ul
ultt in
in los
losss
a sna p-fi
p-fitt desi
des ign: stres s conce
co ncentrati
ntration,
on, creep/ rel
relaxati
axation,
on, of seal pressure, resulting in leakage of the contained fluid.
and fatigue
fatigue.. Bel
Belowow are des cri
cripti
ptions
ons o f thes e problems Another probl
prob lem of o ften s eeeen n is
is e xces
xcessivsivee pl
p lay betwee n the
and s ugge stions to prevent them. All sh shoul
ouldd be parts
pa rts due
d ue to tolerance var variiati
ations
ons,, some
s ometi times
mes result
resultiing in
cons idered as part of good d es esiign practice
practice for any noise and
a nd vibra
vibrati
tion.
on. Se
Several
veral ways to mini minimimize
ze thes e
thermoplasticc des
thermoplasti d es ign. phenomena incl nclude:
ude: des ignigningng a low stress snap bea beam, m,
designi
de signingng the sna p-fi
p-fitt to incorporate
The single most common cause of failure in snap-fits is
a 90°
9 0° return angle
angle so that it rel relaxes
axes in tens ion versus
stress concentrati
concentration on due to a sharp co rner between the
be nd
ndiing (see
(se e Figu
Figure re VI
VI-2-2)). Thi
Thiss will
will pre
prevent
vent the mamati ting
ng part
p art
snap
sn ap-f-fiit beam
be am a nd the wal walll to which
which it is attac
attached
hed.. Si
Since
nce
from sli
slipp
ppiing pas
pa s t or be
becocomimingng loo
looss e. Anothe r way is to
thiss loc
thi ocation
ation normall
no rmally coincide
coincidess wi with
th the
th e po
poiint of
o f maximum
maximum
use a large
large return angl
ang le and
a nd increa
increase se the land
land length in the
stress , a sharp corner can increase increase the stress beyond the
return ang le area
a rea (see
(se e Figure
Figure VI VI-3). Inc ncreas
reas ing the
strength of the material, causing point yielding or
overhang depth and evaluating the worst case scenario in
breaka
bre akage ge.. Thi hiss is more c ri riti
tica
call for rigi
rigidd pl
p las ti
tics
cs like glass
glas s -
a to leran
erance
ce s tudy wilwill all
allow
ow the de dess ign to retain given
given pulp ulll-
reinforced nylon, which have relatively low ultimate
off force even after relaxation occurs.
elongati
elonga tion.
on. More d uctil uctilee mate
m ateri rials,
als, like
like unrei
unre inforced nyl nylon,
on,
tend to yield and deform before they break, redistributing
RELAXED POSITION
SITI ON UNDEFORMED
the peak
pe ak stres s over a broade r regi region.
on. One sol so luti
ution
on isis to (EXAGGERATED) POSITION
incorpo
ncorporate rate a fillet rad ius at the juncture b etween the b ea eam m
UNDEFORMED P
and the wal walll (s ee Fi
Figure
gure VI-1), so tha thatt the rati
ratioo of
o f rad
radiius to POSITION P
wall thi
thickne
ckne s s (R/t)
(R/t) is at
a t lea
leass t 50%. Goi Going ng be yond 50% 50 %
results in in a ma rgirginal
nal increas
increas e in in strength
s trength and may caus e
othe r probl
prob lems like internainterna l voi
voids
ds and s ink marks . If s ink
markss are an iss ue, a sma ller radius
mark radius can b e us ed, b ut itit RELAXATI ON I N TENSI ON RELAXATI ON I N BENDI NG
may increas
increas e the s tress in this this a rea. Another opti op tion
on is
is to
P = MATING PART FORCE
add
ad d the radi radius
us onl
onlyy on the tens ile s ide of the bea b eam.m.

Figu
Figu re VI-2

SHARP R=
CORNER .5t MINIMUM

LAND LENGTH

t
POOR DESI GN GOOD DESI GN

Figure VI-1
RETURN ANGLE

Creep , or more a cc
Creep, ccuratel
urately
y stress rel
relaxati
axation,on, c an res ul
ultt in
in
a red ucti
uction
on of
o f the hol
ho ldi
ding
ng force
force be
between
tween the two
comp onents co nnec nnected
ted by the snap -f -fiit. Stres
Stresss relaxati
relaxation on OVERHANG DEPTH
willl oc
wi occu
curr graduall
gradu allyy over
over time
time.. If the
there
re is
is a ga
gass ket or s ea
eall

Figu
Figu re VI-3

VI-1
GENERAL DESIGN GUIDELINES

Fatigue, or repetitive loading, is the third major cause

of fail
failure.
ure. FatiFatiguegue co
conce
nce rns p ri rimaril
marily app ly ifif hund reds or
thousand
thous andss of o f cycl
cycles
es are antici
anticipapated.
ted. Whi hille the des
d es ign
s tres
tresss level mightmight b e welwe ll wiwithi
thinn the s trength of the
materi
mate rial
al,, the repea
rep eated
ted a pp ppllica
cati
tion
on of this
this stres s c an
resul
res ultt in
in fatigue
fatigue fail ailure
ure a t some
s ome po poiint in the future.
Some poly polymers
mers pe perfrform
orm bette r than others in this this regard,
making them ideal candidates for snap-fits or living hinges
thatt mus t fl
tha flex repea
rep eated
tedlly. The first first way
wa y to avoid
avoid a fatigue
fail
ailure
ure is to ch choos
oos e a mate
m ateri rial
al known to pe perfrform
orm wel
we ll in
fati
atigue.
gue. Thi hiss can
c an be d one by b y com
compa pari
ring
ng the so-ca
so -callled S-N
S -N
curves of the material materials, s, which
which s how the expectedexpe cted numbe r
of cycles to failure at various stress levels and at different
temperatures
temp eratures o f expos ure. The sec s econd
ond way, stil still using the Close-up of automotive fuel rail cover, snap-fit design
S-N curves, is to choose a design stress level, at the
correct temp erature, that resul res ultsts in
in the required
required numbe r of
loa
oad d ap pli
plicaca ti
tion
onss pri
p rior
or to fail
failure
ure.. Thi
Thiss me tho
thod d wil
will us ua
uallly
be cons erv ervati
ative
ve since
since
S-N curves are typica typicallly generate d a t much muc h higher
higher
freque
requenci ncieses than would
would be b e anti
a ntici
cipa
pated
ted for repea ted
appl
ap pliica
catition
on o f a s nap
nap-f-fiit as s emb
emblly.

For hygrosc opopiic mate

m ateri
rials
als li
like nylon,
nylon, the eff
effec
ects
ts of
moisture
moi sture o n fi
final part dimens
dimens ions and mecmechanical
hanical
prope rti
rties
es a lso mus t be cons ide dered.
red. For further
information, please consult the BASF Plastics Design
Solutions Guide.

Concluding points: There are a re a numb er of ways

ways to Close
Close -up o f truck
truck mirror
mirror patch cover

overcome
over come the iss iss ues of stress conce ntr ntrati
ation,
on, stress
relaxation
relaxation and fatigue
fatigue.. A wel
welll thoug ht-o
ht-out
ut des
de s ign and
an d
using the right polymer for a given application will minimize
thess e is
the is s ues . Thi
hiss al
a llows the
th e ap pli
plica
cati
tion
on to be nefi
nefitt from
from all
the advantages of a snap-fit design.

Aerator Circul
Circular
ar sa w handle inset shot featuri
featuring
ng s nap-fi
nap-fitt c losure and mating

VI-2
Notes
Engliis h/Metri
Engl h/Metricc Conve
Convers
rs ion Cha
Ch a rt
To Co n ve rt To Mu lt ip ly
En g lis h S ys t e m Me t r ic Sy
Sys t e m En g lis h Va lu e by
by. ..
..

DISTANCE
inc hes millime te rs 25.38
fee t me te rs 0.30478

MASS
ounc e (avdp) gra m 28.3495
pound gra m 453.5925
pound kilogra m 0.4536
U.S . ton me tric ton 0.9072

VOLUME
inch3 centimeter 3 16.3871
inch3 liter 0.016387
fluid ounc e c entime te r3 29.5735
qua rt (liq uid) de c ime te r 3 (lite r) 0.9464
ga llon (U.S .) de c ime te r 3 (lite r) 3.7854

TEMPERATURE
de gre e F de gre e C (°F –32) / 1.8 = °C

PRESSURE
ps i ba r 0.0689
ps i kP a 6.8948
ks i MN/m2 6.8948
ps i MP a 0.00689

ENERGY AND AND POWER

P OWER
in lb f J oule s 0.113
ft lbf J oule s 1.3558
kW me tric hors e p owe r 1.3596
U.S . hors e powe r Kw 0.7457
Btu J oule s 1055.1
BTU “in / (hr “ft2º“F) W/m “°K 0.1442

VISCOSITY
pois e P a “s 0.1

BENDING MOMENT
OR TORQUE
ft lb N “m 1.356

DENSITY
lb/in3 g/cm3 27.68
lb/ft3 kg/m3 16.0185

NOTCHED IZOD
ft lb/in J/m 53.4
 IMPORTANT: WHILE THE DESCRIPTIONS,
DESIGNS, DATA AND INFORMATION
CONTAINED HEREIN ARE PRESENTED IN GOOD
FAITH AND
AND BELIEV
BELIEVED
ED TO BE ACCURAT
ACCURATE, E, IT IS
IS
PROVIDED FOR YOUR GUIDANCE ONLY.
BECAUSE
BECA USE MA MANY FA FACTORS
CTORS MA MAYY AFFECT
PROCESSING OR APPLICATION/USE, WE
RECOMMEND
RECOMM END THA
THAT T YOU
YOU MA
MAKE TESTS TO
DETERMINE THE SUITABILITY OF A PRODUCT
FOR YOUR PARTICULAR PURPOSE PRIOR TO
USE. NO WARRA WARRANTI
NTIES
ES OF ANY KIND, EITHER
EITHER
EXPRESSED OR IMPLIED, INCLUDING
WARRANTIES OF MERCHANTABILITY OR
FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE, ARE
MADE REGARDING PRODUCTS DESCRIBED OR
DESIGNS, DATA OR INFORMATION SET FORTH,
OR THAT THE PRODUCTS, DESIGNS, DATA OR
INFORMATION MAY BE USED WITHOUT
INFRI
NFRINGI
NGINGNG THE INTEL
INTELLECT
LECTUA
UALL PROP ERTY
RIGHT
RIGHTS S OF OTHERS.
OTHERS. IN NO CASECASE SHALL
SHALL THETHE
DESCRIPTI
DESCRI PTIONS,
ONS, INFORM
NFORMA ATI
TION,
ON, DATA
DATA OR
DESIGNS PROVIDED BE CONSIDERED A PART
OF OUR TER TERMSMS AND
AND CONDI
CONDITI
TIONS
ONS OF SALE.
SALE.
FURTHER, YOU EXPRESSLY UNDERSTAND AND
AGREE THAT THE DESCRIPTIONS, DESIGNS,
DATA
DA TA,, AND INFORMA
NFORMATI TION
ON FURNISHED BY BASFBASF
HEREUNDER ARE GIVEN GRATIS AND BASF
ASSUMES NO O BLI BLIGAT
GATIION OR LILIA
ABI
BILI
LITY
TY FOR
THE DESCRIPTION, DESIGNS, DATA AND
INFORM
NFORMAT ATIION GI
G IVEN OR RESULT
RESULTSS OBTA
OBTAIINED,
ALL SUCH BEING GIVEN AND ACCEPTED AT
YOUR RISK.

Ultramid®, Ultradur®, Ultrason®, Ultraform®, Nypel® and Petra® BASF Corporation

are registered trademarks of BASF Corporation Copyright BASF Corporation 2006 1609 Biddle Avenue
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