Embed Hardware into 3D Prints
3D printing is already a super useful manufacturing technique. Adding hardware directly into 3D prints can take it to the next level, making products not only more functional but also more durable.
Threaded Inserts
These pieces of hardware are super useful for objects that need to be attached securely. While you can screw directly into the plastic of a 3D print, it’s not very durable. If you need to screw and unscrew the components multiple times, you’d end up wearing down and deforming the plastic. Using a metal threaded insert is much more durable because the metal doesn’t lose its shape. We add this to 3D prints by thermal insertion. After the print is completed, we heat the threaded insert slightly and press it into a pre-made hole. The heat causes the plastic to melt just enough to allow the insert to fit. As it cools, the plastic resolidifies, securing the insert in place. And then you can screw and unscrew something into it as many times as you want without worrying!
Springs
Coiled springs are also handy for some printed products. We use them for any products that need tension, compression, or shock absorption—or those that just need to go up and down. A good example of a product that needs a spring is a button, such as the one in the picture below. We added a spring when assembling it so that the button could actually be pressed down, and then spring back up.
A responsive and pressable button that we printed with springs inside it.
The placement of the springs allows the green button to move up and down.
Bearings
Bearings are components that reduce friction in moving parts. They’re useful for making rotational movements smoother, for example in a robot arm. If you want a product to be 3D printed that has rotating parts, we’ll probably incorporate some ball bearings in it.
Magnets
Magnets are also quite useful in 3D prints, especially for creating secure closures where parts need to snap together easily. This makes it simple to attach and detach components, such as in 3D-printed enclosures for electronics. Magnets also come in handy for large scale models that need to be quickly assembled and disassembled for easy transport.
Scrap Metal
Sometimes, we use scrap metal (leftover material) to add weight to 3D prints. This is super useful for awards and trophies, which tend to be quite lightweight when printed. Adding metal to the inside of a trophy's base gives it a more premium and stable feel. To do this, we print the base hollow and separately print the flat bottom surface. After filling the base with metal scraps and securing them with epoxy, we glue the bottom surface in place and let it dry.
The trophy we made for the Glory Heavyweight Grand Prix 2024 winner had a weighted base to give it a premium feel.
As you can see, using hardware in 3D prints can make them more functional, durable, and versatile. Contact us to get started!