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Optimizing Your Parts With Tapped Holes and Inserts
Tapped holes and inserts can be crucial in the design of a part. Here's what we recommend to best optimize your parts.
By Team Xometry
1 min read
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Tapping
Tapped holes and inserts are used regularly when building parts and assembly features. With traditional manufacturing, bolts are often tapped right into the metal component. However, because 3D Printed parts are softer, threaded holes will wear more easily.
Learn more about tapped holes and inserts and when to use them below. And don't forget, you can always reach out to our support staff via our live, online chat feature or send us an email support@xometry.com any time!
Tapped holes in a CNC machined part
Inserts
At Xometry, we recommend designing your parts for press-fit inserts when the material may be soft, such as nylon, since they tend to be more robust than tapped holes, especially when screw installations or uninstalls may be repeated or your part needs to withstand higher torque.
By adding an insert, such as a brass screw-to-expand or helical thread, you are able to provide a durable thread for your part. Please see information regarding the required hole size for your design here.
Inserts in an SLS 3D Print
Team Xometry
This article was written by various Xometry contributors. Xometry is a leading resource on manufacturing with CNC machining, sheet metal fabrication, 3D printing, injection molding, urethane casting, and more.