3D Printing R&D: Interlocking Zipper Joint for 5 mm Thick Plates скачать в хорошем качестве

3D Printing R&D: Interlocking Zipper Joint for 5 mm Thick Plates

Joining thin 3D printed plates flush end-to-end is a notoriously tricky problem—especially without glue or fasteners. Our solution: the Zipper Joint, a geometry-based interlock that’s been successfully tested on 2 mm thick plates across multiple projects and models as seen below:    • 3D Printing R&D: Interlocking Zipper Joint...   In this video, we respond to a user request to adapt the joint for 5 mm thick plates. The challenge? Thicker material changes how the joint behaves—especially the draft angle that controls fit and grip. 🧪 What we tested: Reduced the draft angle of the joint geometry Printed test pieces with angles from 0° to 2°, in 0.5° increments Evaluated fit, strength, and ease of assembly ✅ Result: The experiment was a success. We found that the ideal draft angle for 5 mm plates is very small—between 0.5° and 1°, ensuring a snug, reliable interlock without excessive force. This expands the Zipper Joint’s versatility for thicker applications. Whether you're building modular walls, airflow deflectors, or tile systems, this geometry-first approach keeps things clean, strong, and printable. Test it yourself and let us know what applications you would use it for: https://makerworld.com/en/models/1942...|