Advanced Design and Validation of Snap-Fit Joints

Challenge

Snap-fit (clickable) joints are widely used in construction, automotive and medical devices, especially for multi-material assemblies such as metal–polymer or polymer–elastomer combinations. Designing reliable snap-fit joints is time-consuming and highly dependent on expert knowledge. Current simulation approaches are difficult to converge, strongly dependent on uncertain material parameters and poorly capture long-term behaviour such as creep, temperature and moisture effects. As a result, companies rely on costly trial-and-error prototyping, conservative designs and limited automation, leading to missed opportunities and high development costs.

Project goal

Through this Strategic Basic Research project (Clickable Joints_SBO), we aim to enable faster, more reliable and more automated snap-fit joint design. In this project, we will develop advanced simulation methodologies that accurately capture the behaviour of multi-material snap-fit joints throughout their lifecycle.

By combining automated CAD-FE workflows, shape optimizations methods and manufacturability assessment tools, we help companies reduce development time and risk, improve joint performance and support cost-effective manufacturing and assembly.