Thread: Tapping into 3D Printed Parts
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Unread 01-29-2016, 12:54 AM
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Re: Tapping into 3D Printed Parts
This really depends on your application. We 3D printed the shooter release mechanism on our 2014 practice robot so we wouldn't have to machine two. We printed 'threads' (they really didn't turn out well) and forced a nylock nut on the back of it and it lasted all season.

However it's important to note the part was being loaded in shear and not in tension. I would not recommend loading a 3D printed / plastic thread in tension for an application that applies a load of more than a few pounds. Conversely, I don't see any problem with using this method to load fasteners in shear. I've done this before for personal 3D printed projects and didn't even bother tapping the hole, I just drilled out the hole with the tap drill and drove the bolt in. YMMV.
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Mike Schreiber

Kettering University ('09-'13) University of Michigan ('14-'18?)
FLL ('01-'02), FRC Team 27 ('06-'09), Team 397 ('10), Team 3450/314 ('11), Team 67 ('14-'??)