Living hinge

Two rigid panels joined by a thin web that flexes in place.

A living hinge joins two rigid panels with a thin flexure web that bends in place — the joint used for lids, clips, and folding boxes. A solid web is one continuous strip; a slotted web is cut into a row of tabs for less stress and more give. Print orientation matters: lay the part so the web flexes across the layer lines, and expect FDM living hinges to be proof-of-concept-grade for cycle life — PETG, PP, or TPU last far longer than PLA.

1. Set each panel’s length, the hinge width, and the panel thickness.
2. Set the thin web thickness and span, and pick solid or slotted (a row of flexing tabs).
3. Generate: the two panels and their web drop in as one editable part.