A fastener, designed for single-use binding, can be produced using additive manufacturing techniques. These self-locking straps, typically made of nylon, offer a method for securing items together. An example would be a custom-designed bundling component created on a desktop printer.
The ability to create such fasteners on demand offers several advantages. It allows for the production of specialized sizes or configurations that may not be commercially available. Furthermore, it provides a means of rapid prototyping and customization for various applications, eliminating the need to order large quantities of specific sizes and potentially reducing waste. Historically, these fasteners were primarily manufactured through injection molding; the advent of accessible additive methods expands production possibilities.
The following sections will delve into material considerations, design parameters, and potential applications of these additively manufactured binding components, highlighting the trade-offs involved in their production and use. This will also address the practical limitations and necessary design adaptations required when comparing additively manufactured options with their injection molded counterparts.
