latch with AA0.8 and transparent PLA

[aag 6]

As will become painfully obvious, I am a total novice, and I am not an engineer (I am a physician, which is probably the most imprecise profession in the universe). Now I am trying to design a "latch" which is supposed to keep two components together. Dimensions are in mm.  I am using the AA0.8 print core (with transparent PLA) which is nice and fast, but admittedly it may be too imprecise. What kind of tolerances and play should I realistically implement in order to get the parts to firmly interlock while keeping the play to a minimum?

 

 

Edited November 28, 2018 by aag

[kmanstudios 1,120]

I would start with a 0.2 - 0.4 mm difference in gap between parts.

[Smithy 1,145]

5 hours ago, aag said:

I am using the AA0.8 print core

 

I would not use the 0.8 print core for such a small part. You will get more imprecise problems than you can save time. If you really want to use the 0.8 core you should keep your min. layer time high, set it to 10sec or more, that the previous layer can cool down and print slowly. 

 

I would recommend a gap of 0.4 mm, maybe more between the parts. But it is a trial and error process. So I usually cut the model in Fusion 360 in a very small part and make a test print, just to see if the gap is ok or if I need more (or less). With splitting the body you can quickly print a test part without waiting too long for a result. With construction offset planes in Fusion this can be quickly done and after your test, rollback in the history line and you have your body again in one part.