Creating a 3d Printing Enclosure is a fantastic way to enhance your 3D printing experience. An enclosure helps regulate temperature, reduce warping, minimize noise, and filter out fumes. This guide will walk you through assembling a basic yet effective 3D printing enclosure using readily available components and 3D printed parts. Let’s dive into the steps to build your own 3D printing enclosure.
Assembling Your 3D Printer Enclosure: Gizmacci Parts Guide
This guide focuses on using “Gizmacci” parts, specifically designed 3D printed components to simplify the enclosure construction. These parts, when combined with plexiglass or acrylic sheets, create a functional and visually appealing enclosure.
Preparing the Base and Sides (Gizmacci One and Two)
The foundation of your enclosure relies on securely joining the plexiglass or acrylic sheets. You’ll utilize Gizmacci one and two for this purpose. If you’re using 1/8 inch plexiglass, expect some flexibility in the assembled box structure.
Before gluing, surface preparation is key. Use sandpaper on a flat surface to roughen the areas of the Gizmacci parts that will be glued. This sanding process removes any irregularities and creates a better surface for adhesive bonding. Remember, the side of the printed part that was facing down during printing might not be the gluing surface.
Installing the Adjustable Vent (Gizmacci Three)
Ventilation is crucial for managing fumes and temperature inside your 3D printing enclosure. Gizmacci three is designed as an adjustable vent that fits perfectly into a 2-inch hole in the top sheet of your enclosure.
The vent’s center pin is made from a section of 3.0 mm filament, with its ends widened using heat – a process known as “peening.” You can use a 1/8″ drill bit to clean out the center holes, ensuring smooth operation, as it’s slightly larger than 3.0mm.
Before gluing Gizmacci three, flip the enclosure box over and peel back the protective film around the vent hole on the top panel. For optimal adhesion, apply glue around the perimeter of the hole and then carefully position the vent into place.
Attaching the Hinges for the Door (Gizmacci Four)
Gizmacci four parts function as hinges, allowing you to create a door for easy access to your 3D printer inside the enclosure. Similar to the vent, the hinge pin is made from a 3.0 mm ABS filament section, peened at the ends for secure retention. A 1/8″ drill bit can be used to clean the hinge holes for smooth movement.
These hinges are designed for 1/8 inch thick plexiglass or acrylic sheets. Each hinge assembly consists of two outer elements that sandwich a middle hinge part on the door. When assembling, ensure the smooth sides (bottom sides) of the bottom and middle hinge elements are facing each other for smoother hinge action. These instructions assume a left-side door installation. The design of the hinge faces should clearly indicate where glue needs to be applied to the plexiglass.
Vertical hinge positioning isn’t critical, giving you flexibility in placement. Before gluing, remove all masking tape and protective film from the hinge areas. For a clean and robust hinge assembly, plan the gluing order beforehand. Start by gluing the bottom hinge elements to the side of the enclosure, being careful not to get glue on the door panel. Allow these to set. Next, glue the middle hinge element to the door, again avoiding glue on other acrylic surfaces and ensuring it aligns snugly against the bottom element, flat side to flat side. After the middle part sets, glue the final top hinge elements in place, mirroring the previous steps.
Creating a Wiring Pass-through (Gizmacci Five)
To manage cables and wires entering your enclosure, Gizmacci five provides a swiveling pass-through along with five 1-inch rings. Acrylic and plexiglass are prone to cracking from edge defects around holes. Reinforcing wiring access holes with glued rings provides cheap insurance against potential cracks. Glue these rings to both sides of the wiring holes and trim any excess glue from inside the hole to keep the passage clear.
The pass-through sphere needs to be glued together and smoothed before installation. Adhesives like Duco cement or acetone-based model glue work well for bonding these parts. After gluing the spherical hub, trim any ridge from the joint and lightly sand the ball for smooth rotation. The captive portion is slightly smaller than the inner dimensions of the contoured rings, allowing it to be loosely held when glued together, ensuring free swivel motion. The pass-through is designed to accommodate 1/4 inch or 1/8 inch sheets; for 1/8 inch sheets, use an extra ring as a shim. Ensure the swivel ball moves freely within the contoured rings and is not accidentally glued in place.
Adding a Door Knob (Skull Knob)
For easy door handling, a knob is essential. A skull knob, created from a modified 3D skull model, adds a unique aesthetic touch to your enclosure. While it has a hole for a screw, using a strong adhesive like Devcon Home Plastic Welder is sufficient to firmly attach it to the door front, eliminating the need for drilling and potential cracking.
Implementing a Magnetic Latch
To securely close the enclosure door, consider using a magnetic latch. Tiny blobs of Plastic Welder can be used to glue super-strong rare earth magnets at strategic points on the door face and enclosure frame. Magnets are self-clamping, simplifying installation. Place them in position, letting them attract through the plexiglass layers (door and frame). Apply glue near the magnets, then slide and rotate them to distribute the glue evenly across their inner surface. This creates a robust and concealed magnetic latch.
Conclusion
By following these steps and utilizing the Gizmacci parts, you can construct a functional and aesthetically pleasing 3D printing enclosure. This enclosure will improve print quality, reduce noise, and manage fumes, making your 3D printing experience safer and more enjoyable.
