Electronics in or out the Enclosure?
Hi @all
I've ordered my Mk3 yesterday and looking forward to receive it in the End of March.
While waiting for the Mk3 I'm planning to build an isolated Enclosure for the Printer so I can start directly with printing ABS. My problem is, that I'm not sure if the Electronics (only Power Supplie and Einsy-Board) will be damaged by the permanent high terperature in the Enclosure.
Actually I want to let the Electronics in the Box, because then there is no need to change the original construction.
Is it possible to do that, or would you advise against? And why?
If you advise me to put the Electronics outside of the Box, are the cables long enough? I don't want to solder some extentions to the original wires. And extend the wires with adapter cables and connectors is only an unnecessary and aditional source of error in my eyes.
Maybe you can help me out with my first Question,
Steph
Re: Electronics in or out the Enclosure?
Fellow Stephan,
My enclosre runs at 52 C when bed is 120 C but i put a fan in the power supply to assist there. Since steppers start to loose life span at around 80 C, MK series can't do oven build chamber (never mind patent trolls) like ten grand machines but at sub-K bill, one shouldn't expect to. If you want to be geekout superhero, sure...please post if ambition out strips sanity. But considering maintenance and relative portability lost in embilical style mod, I didn't.
On cables, Cat-6 cables and 16 gauge high flex silicon wires will be better than stock. Get connectore crimp set and embilacle build is no sweat...again assuming you are bonkers. :ugeek:
MK2S kit owner since 8/15/2017
Re: Electronics in or out the Enclosure?
Thanks. Does anybody know if the original cables are long enough to put the PSU and the Mainboard a bit away from it's original mounting place?
Re: Electronics in or out the Enclosure?
Sorry, forgot. MK2 wires are optimized. I suspect MK3 is even tighter. MK2 may be 5-8 inch more than needed if that. Look at the kit manual, any extra wire can be tucked into mainboard box which doesn't have that much room. Mainboard may be just enough to detach off frame sat 2-3 inches from x-stepper location laid down with some rerouting your limiting factor being extruder assembly max range motion len (you can print mirrored parts to relocate right side). PSU is one bundle going only to MB, so with LCD, they pose no issue. Still, seems a lot of effort for too little gain.
MK2S kit owner since 8/15/2017
Re: Electronics in or out the Enclosure?
And as petg shouldn't be put anywhere close to 70°c (especially for structural part), I don't recommend to go much higher than 50°c.
Some heat sink on the steppers (with fans if needed) will help keeping them 'cool' (they will melt the plastic before over-heating i think).
Re: Electronics in or out the Enclosure?
Uh sounds complicated. Is it so difficult to build an enclosure? How do others manage that?
Re: Electronics in or out the Enclosure?
Um, this isn't complicated. Just don't worry about it. MK3 wasn't designed for an enclosure but any heated bed print can benefit from stabilizing air temperature near printer. And unless in the middle Dantes inferno, passive enclosure won't ever reach danger meltdown temperatures.
My first enclosure was a cardboard box lined with an emergency blanket. If I did it over, I'd have put an acrylic door/window because access was problematic. Much like baking, you'll want to limit opening oven door while cooking but since first layer corrections are often required, you'll really want a transparent door. Once you start using your printer with your shantytown (but effective) "enclosure" you may yearn for an upgrade, then you may be up for complicated. Who knows.
MK2S kit owner since 8/15/2017
Re: Electronics in or out the Enclosure?
OK, thanks.
If I don't reach such temperatures in an enclosure do I really separate the electronics?
My plan was to build an Ikea-LACK-box but the walls instead of acrylic from Styrofoam to isolate it. The front door should be acrylic to watch the Mk3 during printing.
Re: Electronics in or out the Enclosure?
There are tons of examples how to put MK2 in an enclosure. You can go very cheap and simple, or you can go full mile with heater and filter inside.
I went the Ikea lack table approach ( https://www.thingiverse.com/thing:1843235 ). In addition with an air filter. I was also thinking to put the electronics outside but it's very inconvenient. Printer requires from time to time maintenance and if it's attached to the enclosure/table, you have to detach everything.
In regards to electronics it's perfectly fine to leave them inside. As already mentioned the stepper motors are rated to 100C and the power supply up to 50C working temperature. In my enclosure I'm reaching around 40C with ABS printing and the whole table is getting warm. All the walls and acrylic door is a bad insulator, so the whole setup is not overheating.
The most expensive electronic part is the Rambo- mini board. As long as you don't have plans to put it outside, I wouldn't bother to leave the power supply inside.
Often linked posts:
Going small with MMU2
Real Multi Material
My prints on Instagram
Re: Electronics in or out the Enclosure?
OK then I try to let the electronics inside the box. Do you think the temperature stays low enough if I isolate the walls with Styrofoam?
Re: Electronics in or out the Enclosure?
This is something you have to try. To heat up the whole thing with MK2/MK3 with 100C heat bed over 50C should be pretty hard.
Just keep in mind that you could get a heat creep with some filaments if it's too hot in your enclosure. Maybe think about some kind of regulated air ventilation in case you need it.
I had no issues with ABS but with high temp PLA (245C).
Often linked posts:
Going small with MMU2
Real Multi Material
My prints on Instagram
Re: Electronics in or out the Enclosure?
I know the old version of the Mini Rambo board with the older driver chips had thermal protection that would start dropping steps if they got too hot(reduced torque drive). I am not sure what the new driver chips have for thermal settings. But if you start seeing dropped steps you will need to cool the electronics.
Re: Electronics in or out the Enclosure?
OK thank you for the help. In the moment I am thinking of building the enclosure without Styrofoam and let the electronics inside. I hope that's enough for ABS.
Re: Electronics in or out the Enclosure?
Wires are not long enough to run stock cable outside of frame
Re: Electronics in or out the Enclosure?
Mk3 tmc2130 drivers are temp protected.
Not sure about bed and extruder drivers.
For abs printing, a simple passive inclosure is enough. I dont think you can do any damage with passive enclosure.
With heated enclosure you will have problems with electronics and extroder cooling, will need watercooling.
I see some discoloration on my extruder printed parts, probably due to heat. Will be printing all parts with more heat resistant matterials.
Re: Electronics in or out the Enclosure?
OK, thanks!
Are at least the flat cables of the display long enough to put it outside?
Re: Electronics in or out the Enclosure?
@Sergey.S4 do you have a Mk3 or an older model? Of which material will you print the more heat resistant parts? Isn't PETG enough?
How warm is your enclosure?
I only want to build a passive enclosure, but instead of thin acrylic walls I will use Styrofoam.
Re: Electronics in or out the Enclosure?
I built a frame out of wood and used foam panels for 3 side. I will be putting a plexiglass door on the front. I was going to see how hot it got... (still waiting for my MK3)... before I decide to figure out some either passive top to bottom venting along the PSU and Einsy board... or fan driven.
A conversation with support said the electronics should be kept at no more than 40C\104F but i'm guessing they are being conservative.
Re: Electronics in or out the Enclosure?
Hey Andrew,
nice enclosure! I will try it like you did, but my frame will be an Ikea-LACK-table.
I hope I can handle the temperature.
When did you order your Mk3? Maybe you get yours before I receive my own. So maybe I can profit from your experience.
Re: Electronics in or out the Enclosure?
@Sergey.S4 do you have a Mk3 or an older model? Of which material will you print the more heat resistant parts? Isn't PETG enough?
How warm is your enclosure?
I only want to build a passive enclosure, but instead of thin acrylic walls I will use Styrofoam.
using mk2s .
i didn't print the extruder in different material yet , as it is still working , which is good enough for me .
if i'll need to print it in different material , i would use one of the fiber filled nylons or polycarbonate .
i might be going full water cooled extruder in the future to print at up to 400c with heated chamber (to print pie - ultem , ppsu and maybe peek)
i've heard of new filament from TreeD filaments (one of my favorite for strong filaments) that can be used at 150c with no issues , and with great mechanical strength . if that's true , i might delay my watercooling plans 🙂
i use glass and polycarbonate panels for my passive enclosure . i didn't measure the temp inside , but i dont think it can go any higher then 60c .currently i'm rebuilding the enclosure for active heating by using some unused build plates that i have . 2 heated build plates on the sides , and one on top should make the enclosure pretty hot .heated build plates are not the most effective heaters , but hey , that's what i got .