<p>One of my favorite techniques is to join pieces with screws, and include a tapered feature that helps align the parts. A single screw can give a very strong joint, that is well-aligned and won't twist. Another advantage is that such joints can be printed in any orientation, since the tapered feature can be designed with 45 degree angles.</p>

<p>Here is a cross-section example of such a joint:</p>

<p><a href="https://i.sstatic.net/vFFzd.png" rel="noreferrer"><img src="https://i.sstatic.net/vFFzd.png" alt="enter image description here"></a></p>

CC BY-SA 3.0
2016-01-19T21:51:41.667Z
2016-01-19T21:51:41.667Z
Tom van der Zanden
<p>I want to 3D-print some parts that will be later joined together along a seam. When modeling these separate parts, what are some methods that work well with 3D-printed pieces? For example, if I were doing wood working, I might choose dowel and pin joints or mortise and tenon joints or glue overlapping pieces. What methods translate well into use with 3D-printed plastics? How does the answer change depending on the orientation of the joint along the printing direction? </p>

CC BY-SA 3.0
2016-01-19T19:52:06.613Z
See: [What is the best way to connect 3D printed parts?](http://3dprinting.stackexchange.com/q/54/20)
kenorb
<print-preparation><3d-design>
Comparative design methods for joints that will be joined together
Tony Hansen
# Comparative design methods for joints that will be joined together

(Asked by: username_0 on 2016-01-19)

I want to 3D-print some parts that will be later joined together along a seam. When modeling these separate parts, what are some methods that work well with 3D-printed pieces? For example, if I were doing wood working, I might choose dowel and pin joints or mortise and tenon joints or glue overlapping pieces. What methods translate well into use with 3D-printed plastics? How does the answer change depending on the orientation of the joint along the printing direction?

**Tags:** print-preparation, 3d-design

> **Comments:**
> **username_1**: See: [What is the best way to connect 3D printed parts?](http://3dprinting.stackexchange.com/q/54/20)  

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## 1 answers

### Answer by username_2 on 2016-01-19. Score: 5

One of my favorite techniques is to join pieces with screws, and include a tapered feature that helps align the parts. A single screw can give a very strong joint, that is well-aligned and won't twist. Another advantage is that such joints can be printed in any orientation, since the tapered feature can be designed with 45 degree angles.

Here is a cross-section example of such a joint:

[![enter image description here](https://i.sstatic.net/vFFzd.png)](https://i.sstatic.net/vFFzd.png)


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