Print in Place Latch Mechanism | Design for Mass Production 3D Printing

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In this episode of Design for Mass Production 3D Printing, we showcase 3D printing's ability to enable the creation of intricate parts that were impossible to mass-produce just a few years ago. We dive into the detailed design process of a print-in-place latch mechanism, compare it with traditional injection molding methods, and highlight the advantages 3D printing provides. Learn how to leverage additive manufacturing to produce complex geometries, and reduce upfront tooling costs, as well as downstream costs like assembly and warehousing. Watch now to learn about the full potential of 3D printing for your manufacturing needs!
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[@scott98390]

If you're literally making your molds out of stone, you're doing it the hard way. Metal is a far better choice. :/s

[@TS_Mind_Swept]

Uhh.. what exactly is this thing for? 🤔 like the manufacturing processes are all fine and good, but I'm afraid I don't quite understand the use case(s) for the latch 😅

[@imacmill]

I can't imagine the spring lasting more than one to two hundred cycles, and I think even that is optimistic.

[@mawoodmain]

How did you get the bottom of the slide to not connect to the bottom?

[@voyeger4464]

The spring in injection molded version is made from steel, while the spring in the 3d printed version is plastic. it cannot be compared. you can't use a spring made from PLA because that spring will hardly last 50 cycles same with ABS. probably nylon will work but that makes it expensive because you require a multi-head 3D printer. If you living in the West it is always the best choice to get the mold designed and made in Asia as it will be cheaper even compared to the 3D printing

[@3jxrn405]

There's a reason for why springs aren't made of plastic.

[@scott98390]

How do you design the spring so that it "breaks free" when you first use it?

[@ryan258147]

So you designed a latch lock that can only use FDM 3D printing to manufacture, but I don't think it is strong enough for its purpose

[@rklauco]

If you made the handle a bit more angled, you can remove the in-build support just by using the mechanism for the first time :)

[@aeonjoey3d]

I can't believe I'm going to say this, but... STL?

[@glabifrons]

A few improvements:

[@cluberic]

I designed a vacuum cleaner attachment and once i started selling alot of them i had to change so it didn't need supports at all. Saved me hundreds of hours. One of the things i did is what you did at

[@AckzaTV]

thanks for actually teaching us practical lessons like printing on a slant, (great name, the first lesson) because your helping literally improve home manufacturing quality of products appearing around the world

[@joachimeuler8269]

The right video at the right time. I’ve been struggling about a spring-loaded mechanism for a geocache for weeks-now here’s the solution! 👍

[@eslmatt811]

What gap do you use between the spring and top surface?

[@antonkukoba3378]

And how is the latch piece gets disconnected from the bottom of the enclosure it lays on during the printing process? The latch will be one piece with the bottom of the enclosure.

[@elpiel]

This video helped me clear up my connector for the product we are building, thank you!

[@christianbureau6732]

Thanks for the lesson 😊

[@floridafoilers]

Great description of the design process and how 3D printing can be a superior solution to traditional injection mold manufacturing. One huge advantage that you highlighted is how you significantly reduced the part count to include metal springs that can rust or present assembly challenges-saving time, money, and part reliability.

[@Vandel212]

What is the longevity of a print in place spring like that compared to a metal one?