Building a 3D printer enclosure can significantly enhance your 3D printing experience. Enclosures not only help maintain a stable printing temperature, which is crucial for materials like ABS and ASA, but also reduce warping, minimize noise, and filter out potentially harmful particles. This guide will walk you through assembling a DIY 3D printer enclosure using 3D-printed parts, specifically focusing on the Gizmacci system. This step-by-step approach ensures a robust and functional enclosure for your 3D printer, effectively turning it into a more controlled and safer machine.
Preparing the Box with Gizmacci One and Two
The initial stage of constructing your 3D printer enclosure involves securing the box structure using Gizmacci one and Gizmacci two. These components are designed to join the panels of your enclosure, typically made from materials like plexiglass or acrylic. When working with 1/8 inch plexiglass, it’s normal for the structure to exhibit some flexibility. This flexibility is inherent to the material and the design, and it doesn’t compromise the enclosure’s functionality.
Before applying any adhesive, 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 is vital as it removes any irregularities and creates a better surface for the glue to bond effectively. It’s important to note that the “down” side of the 3D-printed part, which is the side facing the build plate during printing, is often not the side intended for gluing. Identify the correct surfaces for adhesion to ensure a strong and seamless assembly.
Image: Gizmacci parts laid out and prepared for the initial assembly stages of the 3D printer enclosure.
Installing the Adjustable Vent with Gizmacci Three
Ventilation is a crucial aspect of any 3D printer enclosure, especially when printing materials that release fumes. Gizmacci three is designed as an adjustable vent that fits perfectly into a 2-inch hole typically placed in the top panel of your enclosure. This vent allows you to control airflow within the enclosure, managing temperature and fume extraction as needed.
The vent’s central pin is ingeniously crafted from a section of 3.0 mm filament. To secure this pin, the ends are “peened” using a hot tool, such as a soldering iron. This process melts and flattens the filament ends, creating a robust and captive pin. If necessary, you can clean out the center holes of the vent components using a 1/8″ drill bit. This size is slightly larger than 3.0mm, ensuring smooth operation of the vent.
Before permanently gluing Gizmacci three into position, flip the enclosure box over. It’s crucial to ensure that the protective film is peeled back from the area around the vent hole on the top panel. For optimal adhesion, apply glue around the perimeter of the hole on the enclosure panel and then carefully position the vent into place. This method ensures a clean and strong bond for your adjustable vent.
Image: A close-up of the Gizmacci three adjustable vent, highlighting its design and functionality for controlling airflow within the enclosure.
Attaching the Hinges with Gizmacci Four
Access to your 3D printer inside the enclosure is essential, and Gizmacci four components are designed to function as robust hinges for the enclosure door. Similar to the vent, the hinge pin is made from a section of 3.0 mm ABS filament, with the ends peened using a hot element to secure it in place. Again, a 1/8″ drill bit can be used to clean out the hinge holes, ensuring smooth movement.
These hinges are specifically designed for 1/8 inch thick plexiglass or acrylic sheets. Each hinge assembly consists of two outer elements that sandwich a middle hinge component attached to the door. For smoother hinge action, align the bottom element and the middle element so that their smooth (bottom) sides are in contact (“kiss”). These instructions assume a left-side installation for the door, but the design is adaptable for either side. The surface design of the hinge parts clearly indicates the areas intended for glue application to the plexiglass.
Vertical positioning of the hinges is not critical, offering flexibility in placement. However, before gluing, thoroughly remove all masking tape and protective film from all surfaces that will receive glue. For the best assembly, pre-plan the gluing sequence. Lay out all hinge pieces in a logical order before you start applying adhesive. Begin with the bottom hinge elements, applying a small amount of glue to the surfaces that will contact the side of the enclosure. Exercise caution to prevent glue from getting on the door panel at this stage. Allow these bottom pieces to set completely before proceeding.
Next, glue the middle element of the hinge assembly to the door panel. Again, be extremely careful to avoid getting glue on other parts of the acrylic sheet. Snugly align the middle hinge element against the already-glued bottom element, ensuring the flat sides are together for optimal hinge performance. Let the middle portions set completely. Finally, glue the top hinge elements in place, mirroring the process used for the bottom elements. This layered approach ensures a strong and properly aligned hinge system for your enclosure door.
Image: Disassembled Gizmacci four hinge components, showing the different elements that make up a complete hinge assembly for the enclosure door.
Wiring Pass-through with Gizmacci Five
Managing wiring for your 3D printer within the enclosure requires a clean and functional solution. Gizmacci five provides this with a swiveling pass-through and five 1-inch rings. Acrylic and plexiglass are prone to cracking, especially around drilled holes. Reinforcing wiring access holes with glued rings offers inexpensive yet crucial insurance against material failure. Glue these rings to both sides of the wiring access holes to add strength and prevent cracking. After gluing, trim any excess glue from the inside of the hole to ensure a clear passage for wiring.
The pass-through sphere itself needs to be glued together and smoothed before installation. Duco cement is recommended for bonding these parts, but acetone or other model glues can also be effective. After gluing the spherical hub, trim off any ridge from the joint and lightly sand the ball for smooth rotation. The captive portion of the pass-through is slightly smaller than the inner dimensions of the contoured rings, allowing it to be loosely held when glued together, enabling swivel action.
The pass-through is designed to accommodate both 1/4 inch and 1/8 inch thick panels. When using 1/8 inch panels, like in this assembly, an extra ring acts as a shim to ensure a snug fit. The swivel pass-through mechanism should operate freely once assembled, so take care not to accidentally glue the swivel ball within the contoured rings. It should remain loose to function correctly.
Image: Gizmacci five pass-through components, illustrating the swivel mechanism and rings used for creating a sealed wiring access point in the enclosure.
Adding the Skull Knob
For a functional yet aesthetically unique door handle, a Skull Knob is included in the Gizmacci system. Organic shapes, like skulls, are particularly striking when 3D printed, adding a personalized touch to your enclosure. This skull knob is derived from a modified 3D model, chopped, squashed, and adapted into a functional knob.
While the knob design includes a hole in the bottom for screw mounting, using a small amount of Devcon Home Plastic Welder is sufficient to firmly attach it to the front of the enclosure door. This adhesive method eliminates the need for drilling holes in the plexiglass, further reducing the risk of cracks and simplifying the assembly process.
Image: The 3D-printed skull knob, showcasing its unique design and intended use as a door handle for the 3D printer enclosure.
Magnetic Latch Installation
To securely close the enclosure door, a Magnetic Latch system is implemented. Tiny amounts of Plastic Welder (an epoxy-based adhesive) are used to glue super-strong rare earth magnets at strategic points on the door face and enclosure frame.
The beauty of using magnets for the latch is their self-clamping nature. To install, position the magnets by allowing them to attract each other through the two layers of plexiglass – on the inside brace and the outside of the door. After positioning, apply a small amount of glue adjacent to each magnet. Then, carefully slide and spin the magnets slightly to ensure the glue uniformly coats their inside surface. This method provides a strong and concealed magnetic latch, keeping your 3D printer enclosure door securely closed.
Image: Components for the magnetic latch system, including rare earth magnets and 3D-printed parts, designed for secure and easy closure of the enclosure door.
By following these steps, you will have successfully assembled a functional and effective 3D printer enclosure using the Gizmacci system. This enclosure will not only improve the quality of your 3D prints but also enhance the safety and overall user experience of your 3D printing setup.
