[NEW PROJECT 03-2020]
3D PRINTER ENCLOSURE
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[ 01 / 05 ]
visit Gallery [monitor]
Temperature under control.
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[ 02 / 05 ]
[Video]
SIMPLE BUT BEAUTIFUL.
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[ 03 / 05 ]
[outwards inwards]
FILAMENT FEEDING
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[ 04 / 05 ]
[cleaned up]
ARRIVED AT HOME.
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[ 05 / 05 ]
[NEW PROJECT 03-2020]
3D PRINTER ENCLOSURE
Why are we even bothering to put the printer in an enclosure? Even after quiet fans and drivers have been installed, the printer could still operate more quietly. Especially if it's in a room where people spend a lot of time. Which brings us the next advantage: If it is placed in a housing, you'll notice less of the vapors that the hot plastic material emits. The room air should be much more pleasant.
Certain filaments require a constant environmental temperature during the printing process. Some are sensitive to drafts. Another problem that should be minimized by an enclosure is the so-called warping: Even a heated printing bed cannot prevent the component from cooling down gradually during printing. Especially for larger parts with a large contact surface, this effect prevents an optimal printing result. If, on the other hand, the air temperature remains constant during printing and is not abruptly lowered after the printing process is finished, we have a good chance of achieving a satisfactory result.
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This is how the enclosure should look when it is completed.
Looks good, what do you think?
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[monitor]
Temperature under control.
A temperature sensor measures the temperature inside the box. Depending on the setting two fans start to blow warm air out of the enclosure. Two fans are used to create a smoother airflow - at least that's the plan. After all, as little draught as possible should be generated.
The selected controller can detect a temperature range from -55 to +120 degrees Celsius. The energy for the fans is taken from the main power supply of the printer. Unfortunately, I can't transport the air out of the building because the printer is in the office. Therefore I am still looking for filter boxes that should be placed above the fan grilles to eliminate the smell as well as nanoparticles as far as possible.
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Temperature regulation controls two fans, in between, you can see the ball bearing filament holder.
The temperature control in detail from above.
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[Video]
SIMPLE BUT BEAUTIFUL.
The frame consists of 30 mm aluminum profiles. The old base plate of the printer is replaced by a new, larger one so that it can be screwed to the frame.
Hinges for the front door and the top cover are printed. As soon as the prototype is finished, the construction plans and the STL files will most likely be offered for download.
As the electronics are also inside the box, the printer's exhaust air is discharged from the box through printed ducts. Fresh air is drawn in from outside the box on the floor. This should avoid unnecessary drafts inside the box and instead of the warm air inside, the cooler air of the room should be used to cool the printer electronics.
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A small video of the enclosure.
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[outwards inwards]
FILAMENT FEEDING
The filament remains outside. The position is approximately the same, except that the weight now loads the enclosure and not the printer itself.
The filament remains outside the housing so that the change is still easy to handle. Additionally, it should not be exposed to the higher temperature inside. The filament should remain as stable as possible before it reaches the extruder.
In the case of PLA, the two doors will probably have to remain open in order to obtain a decent printing result. This will become apparent in the first tests.
Printing results of PLA, PETG as well as ASA will be shown here once the housing has been in use.
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The filament enters the box almost exactly above the extruder while it is positioned centrally in the x-axis.
You cannot see the filament sensor here. Whether it will be placed inside or outside has not yet been determined.
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[cleaned up]
ARRIVED AT HOME.
So far so good. Except for the light, the planning is so far complete. An extra smoke detector is not installed because the room where the box is located is already equipped with it.
So that you can access the printer's electronics if necessary, despite the large, new base plate, it is not only attached at the bottom but also at the top: The cross profile of the printer and the frames are connected with an adapter plate. This also creates vibration stability for particularly high 3D prints.
The light source will probably be simple LED strips. It saves electricity and is sufficiently bright.
More information will be available when the plan is implemented and the printer has arrived in its new home.
Stay tuned!
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That' s exactly where it belongs.
Because more simply look better.
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new project 03-2020
temperature under control
simple but beautiful
filament feeding
arrived at home