Use of snap-fit fasteners in the multi-life-cycle design of products

This paper describes the design and the use of snap-fit fasteners for the multi-life-cycle design of products. The advantages, drawbacks and general design considerations on snap-fits are listed. The paper emphasizes that unlike the design and use of conventional fasteners, every snap-fit used in a product must be designed from scratch. Issues of material strength, fastener geometry, part stiffness, attachment strategy and manufacturability are addressed. This paper also presents the use of compliant mechanisms i.e., design for disassembly in designing a new single piece snap fit fastener, which might be injection molded as a one-piece flexible structure. The conceptual design of a new snap-fit fastener which can be disassembled by using a simple tool is presented.