Placing the Heat Inserts

In this section, we will cover the process of placing the heat inserts into the printed parts of the TNY-360 robot.

Why heat inserts

There's a couple of ways to assemble 3D printed parts and components together (clips, screws directly into plastic, nuts & bolts, etc.). Since clips cannot withstand a lot of force we only used them for the aesthetic covers.

The TNY-360 could have been assembled with screws directly going into the plastic (the same way the servos are mounted), but the plastic threads tend to wear out and become loose if you disassemble and reassemble the parts multiple times.

We want the TNY-360 to be easily maintainable and upgradable, so we opted for heat inserts on the parts that are likely to be disassembled multiple times during the robot's life (like the torso, legs, and head).

This method also has the advantage of working regardless of the printer's precision and the quality of the print, while still providing a strong and durable assembly, making assembly easier for everyone.

Heat Inserts Guide

The process of placing heat inserts is quite simple, but it requires some care and attention to ensure the inserts are properly seated and aligned.

Recommended tools

Placing heat inserts can be is simple if you have the right tools, and can be a bit tricky without them.

To make the process easier, make sure you have a Heat Insert Tool or a soldering iron with a flat tip that can fit the size of the heat inserts you are using.

Step-by-step process

Here's how to place the heat inserts in the printed parts of the TNY-360:

1. Prepare the part and the heat insert: Make sure the part is clean and free of any debris, and that the heat insert is the correct size for the hole in the part.
2. Place the insert: Every heat insert has a flat side and a side with a flange. Place the insert in the hole with the flat side facing down and press it in place with your fingers to hold it steady.
3. Heat the insert: Use the heat insert tool or your soldering iron to heat the insert. Apply gentle and even pressure while heating to ensure the insert melts into the plastic and seats properly.
   Be careful not to apply too much pressure or heat, as this can cause the insert to tilt, go too far, or the plastic to deform excessively.
4. Let it cool: Once the insert is in place, allow it to cool and solidify before applying any force to it. This will ensure a strong bond between the insert and the plastic.

Tips for success

• Practice on a test piece: If you are new to using heat inserts, it's a good idea to practice on a scrap piece of plastic before working on the actual parts of the robot.
  This will help you get a feel for the process and avoid any potential mistakes on the real parts.

Feeling ready ? Let's start putting some heat inserts in the robot !