<p>If the equipment has to be removable, then there's no point in trying to make a one-piece object in the first place.  So it looks like you have two problems. The first is to decide what's the best way to split your container to facilitate both putting the equipment inside &amp; removing it; the second is how to latch the two together.  I can't answer the first since you haven't shown us the equipment.</p>

<p>As to the second: there are a number of plans for spring-latching connectors (such as used with straps, backpack covers, etc) on thingiverse.com.  If you have no constraints on the exterior of your container, I would just merge the latching connectors into the container wall (e.g. with meshmixer) .</p>

CC BY-SA 3.0
2017-02-16T18:50:52.637Z
2017-02-16T18:50:52.637Z
Carl Witthoft
<p>Thanks for your reply all. I think I have a solution for my need. Here are some figures!</p>

<p><a href="https://i.sstatic.net/BfZmN.png" rel="nofollow noreferrer"><img src="https://i.sstatic.net/BfZmN.png" alt="enter image description here"></a></p>

<p><a href="https://i.sstatic.net/BfyZt.png" rel="nofollow noreferrer"><img src="https://i.sstatic.net/BfyZt.png" alt="enter image description here"></a></p>

<p><a href="https://i.sstatic.net/hBYET.png" rel="nofollow noreferrer"><img src="https://i.sstatic.net/hBYET.png" alt="enter image description here"></a></p>

<p>More picture of the clip!</p>

<p><a href="https://i.sstatic.net/S7WMO.png" rel="nofollow noreferrer"><img src="https://i.sstatic.net/S7WMO.png" alt="enter image description here"></a></p>

<p><a href="https://i.sstatic.net/VGDQU.png" rel="nofollow noreferrer"><img src="https://i.sstatic.net/VGDQU.png" alt="enter image description here"></a></p>

<p><a href="https://i.sstatic.net/P74zp.png" rel="nofollow noreferrer"><img src="https://i.sstatic.net/P74zp.png" alt="enter image description here"></a></p>

CC BY-SA 3.0
2017-03-02T11:42:50.503Z
Right part of the model seem quite hard to print. You will most likely have to use support structures. It will be not easy to ensure that locks would fit.
Mikhail Z
CC BY-SA 3.0
2017-03-02T12:26:19.407Z
I've added three more figures of the clip (what I believe you reefer to as right part), This is the first thing I'll 3D print but I've seen youtube videos showing much more cliff-hanging than this.
Bjartmar
CC BY-SA 3.0
2017-03-02T20:43:31.180Z
Possible issue is not overhang itself, but possible geometry distortion. You may get clips that either too tight or lock loose
Mikhail Z
CC BY-SA 3.0
2017-03-02T21:14:54.973Z
Okay, that might happen. But I've asked a friend who uses this printer a lot. He thinks the precision is quite good so I'll give it a shot. Will post some pictures later. The printers producer claims precision down to 20 microns with the finest nozzle. Guess I'll use that one!
Bjartmar
CC BY-SA 3.0
2017-02-27T18:14:05.520Z
2017-03-02T12:23:40.957Z
2017-03-02T12:23:40.957Z
Bjartmar
<p>I have <a href="https://ultimaker.com/en/products/ultimaker-2-plus" rel="noreferrer" title="Ultimaker 2+">Ultimaker 2+ 3D Printer</a> and I need to print a piece that doesn't fit within the build volume of the printer. Even though it would fit I'd still need to print it in two parts because I'll need to fit some equipment inside. I could use glue to put it together, but I'll need to remove the equipment later.</p>

<p>So I'm trying to find some feasible solutions how to attach/snap it together. The wall thickness is currently 3mm.</p>

<p><a href="https://i.sstatic.net/FFckZ.png" rel="noreferrer" title="Cut Plane"><img src="https://i.sstatic.net/FFckZ.png" alt="Cut Plane" title="Cut Plane"></a></p>

<p>Plane for cutting the part.</p>

<p><a href="https://i.sstatic.net/L2hhV.png" rel="noreferrer" title="Cut Cross Section"><img src="https://i.sstatic.net/L2hhV.png" alt="Cross Section where I split the part" title="Cut Cross Section"></a></p>

<p>Cut cross section.</p>

CC BY-SA 3.0
2017-02-16T13:19:49.093Z
Could you highlight where the cut is?
Tomáš Zato
CC BY-SA 3.0
2017-02-16T13:34:21.540Z
I've added another figure of the full part and cut plane. The other shows the cross section of the cut.
Bjartmar
CC BY-SA 3.0
2017-02-16T14:10:36.187Z
By the way, have you considered putting equipment inside during the print? Pause print, put equipment inside, continue.
Tomáš Zato
CC BY-SA 3.0
2017-02-16T18:02:15.447Z
@TomášZato The equipment needs to be removable (presumably non-destructive)
Sean Houlihane
CC BY-SA 3.0
2017-02-16T20:32:43.340Z
Possible duplicate of [Tips for making parts that push/snap together](http://3dprinting.stackexchange.com/questions/736/tips-for-making-parts-that-push-snap-together)
Tom van der Zanden
CC BY-SA 3.0
2017-02-27T15:32:14.583Z
@TomvanderZanden I don't think this is considered a duplicate. For this situation, the examples outlined in your link are not a viable option for re-joining a large model. Especially one with such thin walls.
tbm0115
<3d-design>
Feasible 3D Printed Snap Connectors
Bjartmar
# Feasible 3D Printed Snap Connectors

(Asked by: username_0 on 2017-02-16)

I have [Ultimaker 2+ 3D Printer](https://ultimaker.com/en/products/ultimaker-2-plus "Ultimaker 2+") and I need to print a piece that doesn't fit within the build volume of the printer. Even though it would fit I'd still need to print it in two parts because I'll need to fit some equipment inside. I could use glue to put it together, but I'll need to remove the equipment later.

So I'm trying to find some feasible solutions how to attach/snap it together. The wall thickness is currently 3mm.

[![Cut Plane](https://i.sstatic.net/FFckZ.png "Cut Plane")](https://i.sstatic.net/FFckZ.png "Cut Plane")

Plane for cutting the part.

[![Cross Section where I split the part](https://i.sstatic.net/L2hhV.png "Cut Cross Section")](https://i.sstatic.net/L2hhV.png "Cut Cross Section")

Cut cross section.

**Tags:** 3d-design
> **Comments:**
> **username_1**: Could you highlight where the cut is?  
> **username_0**: I've added another figure of the full part and cut plane. The other shows the cross section of the cut.  
> **username_1**: By the way, have you considered putting equipment inside during the print? Pause print, put equipment inside, continue.  
> **username_2**: @TomášZato The equipment needs to be removable (presumably non-destructive)  
> **username_3**: Possible duplicate of [Tips for making parts that push/snap together](http://3dprinting.stackexchange.com/questions/736/tips-for-making-parts-that-push-snap-together)  
> **username_4**: @TomvanderZanden I don't think this is considered a duplicate. For this situation, the examples outlined in your link are not a viable option for re-joining a large model. Especially one with such thin walls.  

---

## 2 answers

### Answer by username_5 on 2017-02-16. Score: 1

If the equipment has to be removable, then there's no point in trying to make a one-piece object in the first place. So it looks like you have two problems. The first is to decide what's the best way to split your container to facilitate both putting the equipment inside & removing it; the second is how to latch the two together. I can't answer the first since you haven't shown us the equipment.

As to the second: there are a number of plans for spring-latching connectors (such as used with straps, backpack covers, etc) on thingiverse.com. If you have no constraints on the exterior of your container, I would just merge the latching connectors into the container wall (e.g. with meshmixer) .


---

### Answer by username_0 on 2017-02-27. Score: 0

Thanks for your reply all. I think I have a solution for my need. Here are some figures!

[![enter image description here](https://i.sstatic.net/BfZmN.png)](https://i.sstatic.net/BfZmN.png)

[![enter image description here](https://i.sstatic.net/BfyZt.png)](https://i.sstatic.net/BfyZt.png)

[![enter image description here](https://i.sstatic.net/hBYET.png)](https://i.sstatic.net/hBYET.png)

More picture of the clip!

[![enter image description here](https://i.sstatic.net/S7WMO.png)](https://i.sstatic.net/S7WMO.png)

[![enter image description here](https://i.sstatic.net/VGDQU.png)](https://i.sstatic.net/VGDQU.png)

[![enter image description here](https://i.sstatic.net/P74zp.png)](https://i.sstatic.net/P74zp.png)

> **Comments:**
> **username_6**: Right part of the model seem quite hard to print. You will most likely have to use support structures. It will be not easy to ensure that locks would fit.  
> **username_0**: I've added three more figures of the clip (what I believe you reefer to as right part), This is the first thing I'll 3D print but I've seen youtube videos showing much more cliff-hanging than this.  
> **username_6**: Possible issue is not overhang itself, but possible geometry distortion. You may get clips that either too tight or lock loose  
> **username_0**: Okay, that might happen. But I've asked a friend who uses this printer a lot. He thinks the precision is quite good so I'll give it a shot. Will post some pictures later. The printers producer claims precision down to 20 microns with the finest nozzle. Guess I'll use that one!  

---

