Hello guys , this is a very simple problem .
all i want is to drive screws in PLA plastic after 3d printing . for the design to be un-mountable(i don't know if that's the right word) . the solution i found is the carve space for a nut in the 3d design the stick that nut to it when it's out using hot glue or epoxy , and then just drive the screw in that nut .
is this a reliable solution ?
thank you very much
Why not simply use a self-tapping screw directly into the hole in the pillar?
I would only consider a nut if the thing needs to be unscrewed very frequently. Using a nut you run the risk that the nut pulls out. Building a nut into an injection-moulded product would be much more secure.
...R
Put the nut at the other side of the printed part - then the screw will pull tend to pull the nut in rather than out - no adhesive needed .
You can get nuts specifically for this job. They are called "threaded insert". They have grooves on the outside that engage with the plastic, resisting pulling out. For 3D-printed parts, you insert them with a temperature-controlled soldering iron set for the correct temperature to melt the plastic just a little bit.
For example see McMaster-Carr part 94130A331 for a 3mm thread. A pack of 100 is just a few bucks.
Hello Robin , thank you very much for your attention . yes this design does require constant screwing/unscrewing , but thank you very much for the self-tapping srew info , i never knew that was a possibility , and it will be useful in an other part of my project . thank you .
MorganS , thank you very much for that Sir , it will sure be useful later , thank you !
-JohnLincoln : i don't know how i missed that , i already had long enough screws at hand but somehow i missed the thought that i should have screws on the other side , i think i will go with that for this specific use .
thank you very much .
Problem solved , thank you <3
I use brass inserts.
On ebay, M2 screw nuts are 100 @ ~$2.00
Use a hot soldering iron to slowly push them into a slightly smaller hole.
Yes, I know people use self-tappers for 3D prints, but I would only do that for a use-once screw I think.
MarkT:
Yes, I know people use self-tappers for 3D prints, but I would only do that for a use-once screw I think.
I don't mind using them for regular opening and closing myself because I take care to make sure the screw goes back into the same thread each time.
If I was making something for someone else I would prefer a nut and bolt. Those screw inserts look like a good idea, although I would be afraid I might not push them in straight with a soldering iron. Maybe make a special bit that fits neatly inside the insert.
...R
