A systematic approach to integral snap-fit attachment design

Traditional integral snap-fit attachment design focuses almost exclusively oil the individual locking features, such as cantilever hooks, bayonet-fingers, compressive hooks and others. The positioning a,ld of orientation of other significant features on parts, such as those that facilitate or enhance engagement and eliminate unwanted degrees of freedom left by locking features, i.e. locating features and enhancements, are not considered. This paper builds oil relatively new methodologies and guidelines for arranging ail attachment features on plastic parts comprising snap-fit assembly. Classification of features into categories of locking features, locating features and enhancements of these is used as the basis for discussion. A systematic approach to attachment design is presented.