Parts to clip together and apart, so it can be cleaned

[FacebookGroupMember]

I'm working on a design and part of it needs to clip together and apart, so it can be cleaned when needed, as well as rotate. My solution is three tabs with gaps that can flex in and fit into a groove, where it rotates. My design works but the material I'm having to work with is pretty ridged (PLA) so it's hard to push on and nearly impossible to take off. However, once on it spins as expected. I've provided my design below for reference.
Is there a different way to do this for heavier materials? Are there other solutions I can look into for attaching two cylinders together for this purpose?

[FacebookGroupMember]

I have a similar design goal on a part I did a few years back. Had to be removed for cleaning. I ended up putting three spring latches around it. I extended the female flange and used a soft gasket to seal.

For what you’re doing is maybe try a spring loaded gasket or something to seal be still be able to remove it by pushing it together.

Ah. I don’t know. I’m adhd so I get hyper focused on one thing and rework designs until I have fewer self doubts. Lol

Pm If you want to work on stuff together.

[FacebookGroupMember]

Kenny Butcher I have ADHD. Hyperfocus is a blessing and a curse. My friends are like, "how are you figuring this out so quickly!?" Dppamine my friends.... dopamine.

I'll look into the gasket and ring idea. I was hoping to keep it a single piece. I also thought about splitting the body an using "dowels" that can be pressed into holes to hold it together then it can be pulled apart but that risks breaking. I had a couple other ideas but too me any cons.

[FacebookGroupMember]

What about splitting the body in two, sandwiching the part around the groove, and using a screw on each side to hold it together. Then when it needs to be cleaned, just take the screws out and it comes apart.

[FacebookGroupMember]

Depends on the separating force when in use; one of the easiest ways is to put a couple of rare earth magnets in the central area.

[FacebookGroupMember]

Just make the Ridge thinner and rounded. I have done similar with PETG which is much more ridged then PLA

[FacebookGroupMember]

Mark Peltier you mean around the male portion where the tabs slide over? If so, I tried that. It does come on/off easier. However, the tabs were so ridged it was chipping at the portion causing plastic flakes.

[FacebookGroupMember]

David Powell I don’t see why not. If you can prototype it and try it then go for it.

I’ve been working on a camera system for bit now. It has to be in extreme conditions. Even with a full team of engineers it’s been a 3 year process and several revisions. 😅

[FacebookGroupMember]

Kenny Butcher Oh wow! I'm just making a father's day gift. lol

[FacebookGroupMember]

David Powell round the male portion and make them shorter.

[FacebookGroupMember]

Mark Peltier thanks! I'll look at that

[MRWakefield]

Play around with the angles and depth of engagement. The more acute the angle and the greater the overlap the harder it will be to assemble and disassemble. You can also have non-symmetrical clip angles so you can 'tune' the assembly and disassembly force individually. As I think someone else mentioned, I'd radius all of the edges where the mating parts slide over each other.

Hope this helps.

[FacebookGroupMember]

The engagement/disengagement angles are pretty steep. Try changing the angle to a shallower one it will reduce the force.