reprappro mendel enclosure questions

Hi,

I'm on the final assembly stage of my reprap and I would like to build some sort of enclosure similar to to this (http://forums.reprap.org/read.php?166,185619,185847#msg-185847) one, because I have some problems with humidity and dust on the place she will stay.

I'm am, as you already guess, a newbie and I have some questions that I would like you more experienced guys to enlight me about:

- Can I use MDF on the base? What thickness? No humidity problems?
- Can it be fully closed (when printing) or do I need to leave holes for ventilation an what size?
- Once finished I move it without losing calibration?
- What are the dimensions sufficient for a normal RepRap Pro with the multicolor kit?
- The walls should be made from glass or acrylic? What thickness? If it is fully closed will I have problems with temperature inside that could deform the walls (if made of acrylic)?
- The power supply can be mounted in any position (to save space)?

Sorry for so many questions, but I really need this information to guide me thro

Thanks.

Regards,
Pedro.

PLA can make some problems when the temperature reaches >60°C, without ventilation my hugo (printrbot clone) in an ikea box reaches ~45°C.
the in-box-temperature helps with printing ABS, it prevents it from curling, but the motors will be hotter, so I've added fans to the motors, but the fans makes notices and giving my hot end a hard time to reach the set temperatur (e.g. set temperature is 220 but due the fan it will stay at 219 for a long time)
the power supply will have also a hot time in the box, in the box helps to add to the temperature but will shorten the lifetime

my 2 cents

Thanks for the useful info.

So, regarding the temperature, should it be sufficient to leave a top opening along the z motors from side to side or leave it with no top at all? (still that doesn't solve my dust problem). Any suggestions?


Gerard Choinka Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> PLA can make some problems when the temperature
> reaches >60°C, without ventilation my hugo
> (printrbot clone) in an ikea box reaches ~45°C.
> the in-box-temperature helps with printing ABS, it
> prevents it from curling, but the motors will be
> hotter, so I've added fans to the motors, but the
> fans makes notices and giving my hot end a hard
> time to reach the set temperatur (e.g. set
> temperature is 220 but due the fan it will stay at
> 219 for a long time)
> the power supply will have also a hot time in the
> box, in the box helps to add to the temperature
> but will shorten the lifetime
>
> my 2 cents

maybe some heat conductive material like aluminum will be enough to transfer the heat to the outside,

Yes ... it is my plan for the frame, with maybe acrylic for the sides, with the front side easily fully removable from the top ...



Gerard Choinka Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> maybe some heat conductive material like aluminum
> will be enough to transfer the heat to the
> outside,

that other thread is cool, im building my own design for a 3d printer right now, and its sort of similar, but mine has a moving gantry so its much more space efficient.

Hello again,

The design is finished. The frame is made of aluminium 23x23 mm square. The joints are made of plastic (don't know if I should print them or buy them since they are not expensive about 1 € each). The support frames for the acrylic are also aluminium 6x6 mm square in U shape. The acrylic is transparent with a 5 mm thickness. The top opening will be used for ventilation and is right above the Z motors with a 10 cm width clear from side to side of the frame. Will also be used for the PLA feeding (Thinking of using some sort of support for the PLA rolls on the top back frame).

I would like you more experienced guys to take a look and tell me what you think about it / suggestions / critics regarding its purpose.

Thanks.

For when she is resting (just for keeping it clean with no dust):


For when she is printing (the top middle cover is removed):


And when something has to be done inside it (whether printing or not):

Nice design, I like the build options. I tip my hat off to you good sir.

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Thanks ... I appreciate.

I'm now evaluating the costs.

I have an MDF 19 mm board lying around, so for this is just to cut and paint.

First budget for the acrylic, which is my believe that it's the most expensive part.

73,61 € just cut to measures or
88,83 € cut to measures and edges polished

plus TVA (23 % around this parts).

Are these goods prices?

HI,

It's going ... and quite nice ... I'll post some pictures soon ...

I've spotted some very nice led stripes with 30 cm at a very good price (about 1 € each) on a local store that would look great on my box. The work at 12 V.

Question:
Can I connect them to the power supply on the reprap without affecting their performance regarding the printing?

Thanks.

Just an update on the progress so far.

All the frame parts are cut to sizes, the base is primed. Hopefully will be painted this weekend.
Made some assembly tests.
Acrylic parts also cut.

Didn't like the way the aluminium looks, so i'll give it the brushed effect before final assembly.

Update:

Base painted:


Aluminium Brushed ... like a lot the way it looks (sorry for the focus, but the phone camera is not very good):


Top frame assembled ... everything fits perfectly:

Almost done ...





I would like to add some led strips attached to the top. They work on 12 v. Can I connect them to the board directly?

Looking good. My first Ever kit has been dispatched today and I can't wait to build it.
I have been thinking about an enclosure, so your posts have given me some inspiration.
The LEDS sound like a cool idea. Hopefully somebody can advise about where to plug them into.

Hi Rammy,

The leds should be connect to the 12v on the board for permanently lighted
or, like I did on mine, only lighted when the bed is heating.

See picture (sorry for crappy focus, but the smartphone camera is not very good).

Regards.

Pedro.

Rammy Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> Looking good. My first Ever kit has been
> dispatched today and I can't wait to build it.
> I have been thinking about an enclosure, so your
> posts have given me some inspiration.
> The LEDS sound like a cool idea. Hopefully
> somebody can advise about where to plug them into.