A parametric study for improving snapfit design

Abstract

Conventional snapfit design, which involves a short cantilever attached to a base which is not perfectly rigid, is based on the simple beam-deflection equation, the latter neglecting beam shear and deformation of the base wall and therefore grossly underestimating the deflection of the beam, especially when the beam aspect-ratio is less than approximately 5. In this paper, both the finite-element and experimental techniques have been employed to study the effects of the wall and beam widths and the material properties on the deflection behaviour of different cantilever-beam configurations. The finite-element and experimental results have been found to be in good agreement and the effects of the wall and beam widths and the material properties have been found to be significant. Better snapfit design, and consequently a superior end-product, is achievable, therefore, with the accurate prediction of the deflection of the beam.