Creating a 3d Printer Enclosure can significantly enhance your printing experience. Not only does it help maintain a stable temperature for consistent prints, especially with materials like ABS, but it also reduces warping, minimizes noise, and filters out potentially harmful particles. This guide will walk you through assembling a robust and functional 3D printer enclosure using readily available materials and 3D printed components, specifically focusing on the innovative Gizmacci parts.
Assembling the Enclosure Box
Your journey begins with constructing the main box structure. If you’re using 1/8 inch plexiglass, you’ll notice a degree of flexibility in the panels, which is normal at this stage. The key to a strong enclosure lies in preparing the surfaces for adhesion.
Before applying any glue, take the Gizmacci one and two parts and lightly sand the areas that will be glued. Using sandpaper on a flat surface will help remove any imperfections and create a slightly roughened texture. This roughened surface significantly improves the glue’s grip, ensuring a durable bond. Remember that the side of the 3D printed part that was facing down during printing might not always be the gluing surface, so examine each piece carefully.
Integrating the Adjustable Vent: Gizmacci Three
Ventilation is crucial for managing temperature and fumes within your 3D printer enclosure. Gizmacci three provides an adjustable vent that fits perfectly into the 2-inch hole on the top panel of your enclosure.
The vent features a center pin made from a section of 3.0 mm filament. To secure the pin, the ends are “peened” using a hot tool like a soldering iron, which flares the ends and prevents the pin from slipping out. If the center holes are slightly constricted, you can use a 1/8″ drill bit to clean them out, ensuring smooth operation.
Before permanently gluing Gizmacci three, flip the enclosure box over. It’s important to remove the protective film from around the vent hole on the top panel at this stage. For optimal adhesion, apply glue around the perimeter of the hole and then carefully position the vent in place. This method generally yields a cleaner and stronger bond.
Installing Hinges with Gizmacci Four
Access to your 3D printer inside the enclosure is made easy with a hinged door. Gizmacci four components are designed as hinges for this purpose. Similar to the vent, the hinge pin is crafted from a 3.0 mm ABS filament, secured with peened ends. Again, a 1/8″ drill bit can be used to clear the hinge holes if needed.
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 piece attached to the door. For the smoothest hinge action, ensure the smooth (bottom) sides of the bottom and middle hinge elements are facing each other when mated. These instructions assume a left-side door installation, but the principles apply to either side. The design of the Gizmacci four parts clearly indicates the areas where glue should be applied to the plexiglass.
Vertical placement of the hinges is not critical and can be adjusted based on your design preferences. Before gluing, ensure all masking tape and protective film are removed from the plexiglass where the hinges will be attached. For a seamless assembly, plan the gluing sequence beforehand. Lay out the hinge components in the order you intend to glue them. Start by gluing the bottom hinge elements to the enclosure side panel. Apply a small amount of glue to the designated surfaces, being careful not to get glue on the door panel itself. Allow these bottom elements to set completely. Next, glue the middle hinge element to the door, again taking care to avoid getting glue on the enclosure panel and ensuring it aligns snugly with the bottom element, smooth side to smooth side. Let the middle hinge sections set before finally gluing the top hinge elements in place, mirroring the previous steps.
Creating Wire Pass-throughs with Gizmacci Five
Managing wires neatly is essential for a clean and functional 3D printer enclosure. Gizmacci five provides a swiveling pass-through system along with reinforcing rings. Plexiglass can be susceptible to cracking, especially around drilled holes. Reinforcing these wiring access holes with rings is a simple yet effective preventative measure. Glue these rings to both sides of the wiring holes, and trim any excess glue from inside the hole to ensure a clear passage.
The pass-through sphere needs to be glued together and smoothed before installation. Duco cement is a suitable adhesive for bonding these parts, but acetone or other model glues can also be used. 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 assembled. The pass-through is designed to accommodate both 1/4 inch and 1/8 inch thick sheets. When using 1/8 inch sheets, like in this guide, an extra ring acts as a shim to ensure a snug fit. The images associated with Gizmacci five should clearly illustrate how the swivel pass-through functions. Be careful not to accidentally glue the swivel ball within the contoured rings; it should rotate freely.
Adding a Skull Knob
A door needs a knob! For a touch of personality, a 3D printed skull knob adds a unique aesthetic to your enclosure. Taking inspiration from readily available 3D skull models online, this knob design is both functional and visually striking.
While the knob design includes a hole for a screw, it can be easily attached using a strong adhesive like Devcon Home Plastic Welder. A small blob of this plastic welder is more than sufficient to firmly attach the knob to the front of the enclosure door, eliminating the need for drilling and preventing potential cracks in the plexiglass.
Securing the Door with a Magnetic Latch
For a clean and reliable door closure, magnetic latches are an excellent choice. Small blobs of Plastic Welder (which is essentially epoxy) can be used to glue super-strong rare earth magnets at strategic points on the door and enclosure frame.
The beauty of using magnets is their self-clamping property. Simply position the magnets on either side of the plexiglass, allowing them to attract through the material. Place magnets on the inside brace of the enclosure and the corresponding points on the door’s exterior. After applying glue adjacent to the magnets, carefully slide and spin them slightly to ensure the glue evenly coats the inner surface of each magnet. Once the glue sets, you’ll have a robust and seamlessly integrated magnetic latch system for your 3D printer enclosure.
By following these steps, you can construct a professional-looking and highly functional 3D printer enclosure, enhancing your 3D printing projects and workspace.
