select
navigate
switch tabs
Esc close

Optimal shore hardness for snap-fits in electrical housing

0
M
1

Hello, I’m designing snap-fit features for a small electronics housing made from PA12 (Nylon) and need to ensure the material provides the right balance of flexibility and durability. The snap-fit will be used for securing and accessing internal components, so it needs to handle multiple assemblies and disassemblies without wearing out or breaking. Does anyone have experience with PA12 in such applications, or can recommend a Shore hardness range that would work best for this type of snap-fit design?

Solved by Tim Meyer

In my experience, the Shore hardness you choose really depends on how often the snap-fit will be engaged. For more rigid snap fits, I usually go for materials with a Shore D hardness above 80, like polycarbonate. For parts that need more flexibility, like in some consumer electronics, softer materials around Shore D60-D70, such as polypropylene, are a good fit. Just make sure the material can withstand the repeated stress without deforming.

    • M

      Hello, I’m designing snap-fit features for a small electronics housing made from PA12 (Nylon) and need to ensure the material provides the right balance of flexibility and durability. The snap-fit will be used for securing and accessing internal components, so it needs to handle multiple assemblies and disassemblies without wearing out or breaking. Does anyone have experience with PA12 in such applications, or can recommend a Shore hardness range that would work best for this type of snap-fit design?

      0
    • T

      In my experience, the Shore hardness you choose really depends on how often the snap-fit will be engaged. For more rigid snap fits, I usually go for materials with a Shore D hardness above 80, like polycarbonate. For parts that need more flexibility, like in some consumer electronics, softer materials around Shore D60-D70, such as polypropylene, are a good fit. Just make sure the material can withstand the repeated stress without deforming.

      0
      Reply
Optimal shore hardness for snap-fits in electrical housing
Your information:




Suggested Topics

Topic
Replies
Views
Activity
Cracking at snap-fit hook base in SLS PA12
Hello everyone, I'm using SLS 3D printing (PA12, 0.12 mm layer height) to create a snap-fit enclosure for a handheld sensor device. The enclosure has three internal hooks that flex about 1.5 mm during... read more
F
A
1
26
May 26
Choosing sheet metal thickness for a lightweight bracket
Hey, working on a small mounting bracket for a consumer electronics housing, cut and bent from stainless steel sheet (304 or 316). The part needs to stay under 200g, but it also has to... read more
D
M
1
42
May 23
Visibility of parting line on GF30 PA6 injection molded handle
Hello everyone, how visible can the parting line be on final molded parts? My team is currently designing a handle cover for an industrial machine, injection molded in PA6 with 30% glass fiber. Aesthetics... read more
T
C
1
65
May 06
Minimum embossed text size for TPU molding
Hey there, I'm designing a flexible watch strap that will be injection molded in TPU (Shore 85A). I want to include some small embossed text (branding and serial number) directly on the strap, but... read more
A
n
2
95
May 05
Printed bracket cracking – how to reinforce?
Hi,  I'm prototyping a small bracket for holding a plastic cover in place—roughly 60 × 30 × 10 mm, with two hooks and two screw holes (M3) on the top side. I printed it in PLA with 20% infill... read more
G
R
1
92
Apr 23