ModWheels C-clamps versus nut capture
By: Vanessa Enriquez (Design & Manufacturing Engineer for Goliath)
Approved by: Lucas Gutierrez (Project Manager for ModWheels)
Initial design
After printing the first design, the customer asked to introduce another way to assemble the toy and suggested nut captures. The first design uses the c-clamps, which have been successfully implemented in previous models. The model shown below was assembled by Natalie, the Modwheels manufacturing engineer.
Figure 1 – Initial design assembly
Alternate assembly
Implementing the nut capture method requires a couple of design changes to the top and bottom panels. After researching different methods, I decided on a simple solution. The simple solution is to replace the squared cutouts for the clamps with circle cutouts. This may cause stress on the rest of the part. A second more detailed solution is explained in source 1. The latter requires an increase in thickness on both panels. For the spacers modeled below, Natalie suggested using nylon material.
Figure 2 – Nut capture assembly (Solidworks)
Figure 3 – Nut capture assembly