Notifications
Clear all

Improving printer platform stability  

Page 2 / 2
  RSS
bobstro
(@bobstro)
Illustrious Member
Topic starter answered:
RE: Improving printer platform stability
Posted by: vintagepc

I ended up buying a cheap marble cutting board on Amazon for my printer platform. At some point I plan to inset it into the LACK table but it helps significantly in that regard.

Ah, interesting. Just saw that they have 12x16 inch sizes which are perfect. 12 inches was just a bit short for the depth but fine for the width. Look like it's 10lbs and a bit less unwieldy than the big pavers.

My notes and disclaimers on 3D printing

and miscellaneous other tech projects
He is intelligent, but not experienced. His pattern indicates two dimensional thinking. -- Spock in Star Trek: The Wrath of Khan

Posted : 07/08/2019 5:11 pm
rmm200
(@rmm200)
Noble Member
RE: Improving printer platform stability

Post a review when you get one... Amazon reviews are kind of mixed.

Posted : 07/08/2019 5:56 pm
vintagepc
(@vintagepc)
Member
RE: Improving printer platform stability

I had ordered this one. It's not as heavy but was cheap at just over 10 bucks. Did not want to spend too much on something that might not have panned out. 

https://www.amazon.com/Home-Basics-CB45248-Marble-Cutting/dp/B07DY4QGV1/ref=sr_1_7?keywords=home+basics+marble+cutting+board&qid=1565201763&s=gateway&sr=8-7

I figured it's not so much the mass as the density of the material that damps the printer vibrations - some IKEA furniture is quite heavy overall, but still resonates like crazy because the panels are hollow or low density chipboard, for example.

 

Posted : 07/08/2019 6:19 pm
bobstro
(@bobstro)
Illustrious Member
Topic starter answered:
RE: Improving printer platform stability

Looks like this one would've saved me some work. Not as heavy but I like the look.

My notes and disclaimers on 3D printing

and miscellaneous other tech projects
He is intelligent, but not experienced. His pattern indicates two dimensional thinking. -- Spock in Star Trek: The Wrath of Khan

Posted : 07/08/2019 8:16 pm
rmm200
(@rmm200)
Noble Member
RE: Improving printer platform stability
Posted by: bobstro

Looks like this one would've saved me some work. Not as heavy but I like the look.

Man - $32 but the reviews on this one are fantastic. Now I need to see how 12x16 fits my enclosure... 13 pounds - and supposedly gorgeous.

Posted : 08/08/2019 1:37 am
vintagepc
(@vintagepc)
Member
RE: Improving printer platform stability

If you have a granite counter place nearby, it might be worth hitting them up; they'll probably either give you or sell you a sink cutout scrap for cheap since it's trash to them anyway otherwise. Moreso if you show up with a couple beers for the guys on shift...

Posted : 08/08/2019 1:46 am
bobstro
(@bobstro)
Illustrious Member
Topic starter answered:
RE: Improving printer platform stability
Posted by: vintagepc

I had ordered this one. It's not as heavy but was cheap at just over 10 bucks. Did not want to spend too much on something that might not have panned out. 

https://www.amazon.com/Home-Basics-CB45248-Marble-Cutting/dp/B07DY4QGV1/ref=sr_1_7?keywords=home+basics+marble+cutting+board&qid=1565201763&s=gateway&sr=8-7

That's 8 x 12 inches. I think you need 12 x 13 to get all 6 feet flat on the surface. Do you have it mounted? A nice alternative if everything fits.

I figured it's not so much the mass as the density of the material that damps the printer vibrations - some IKEA furniture is quite heavy overall, but still resonates like crazy because the panels are hollow or low density chipboard, for example.

CNC Kitchen did a video on vibration and reducing vibration on the Prusa that explores all the variables with his usual thorough (though not always complete) approach. Mass of the printer (including any surface it's coupled with) reduces printer resonances at print frequencies, so is good at reducing "printer noise". You want to decouple the printer from those large surfaces that really rumble when they resonate creating "print surface noise". Isolation pads are good for that.

My notes and disclaimers on 3D printing

and miscellaneous other tech projects
He is intelligent, but not experienced. His pattern indicates two dimensional thinking. -- Spock in Star Trek: The Wrath of Khan

Posted : 08/08/2019 1:51 am
bobstro
(@bobstro)
Illustrious Member
Topic starter answered:
RE: Improving printer platform stability
Posted by: vintagepc

If you have a granite counter place nearby, it might be worth hitting them up; they'll probably either give you or sell you a sink cutout scrap for cheap since it's trash to them anyway otherwise. Moreso if you show up with a couple beers for the guys on shift...

That was a great tip from the "best $7" thread. Unfortunately, I didn't have the time or patience to hunt one down. Granite or marble would sure look nice.

My notes and disclaimers on 3D printing

and miscellaneous other tech projects
He is intelligent, but not experienced. His pattern indicates two dimensional thinking. -- Spock in Star Trek: The Wrath of Khan

Posted : 08/08/2019 1:52 am
vintagepc liked
vintagepc
(@vintagepc)
Member
RE: Improving printer platform stability

Oops, my bad. Wrong one when searching. 

This one is 12x16 and ~8 lbs

https://www.amazon.com/Home-Basics-CB45249-Marble-Cutting/dp/B07DY5G53Y

 

Glass/Stone cutting boards are great for looks but the worst possible thing for knives. Unless you like instantly dulling your blades again.

Posted : 08/08/2019 1:54 am
bobstro
(@bobstro)
Illustrious Member
Topic starter answered:
RE: Improving printer platform stability
Posted by: rmm200

Man - $32 but the reviews on this one are fantastic. Now I need to see how 12x16 fits my enclosure... 13 pounds - and supposedly gorgeous.

The weight is probably good enough. The paver was cheaper, but I spent another $16 on paint and prep. Not strictly necessary, but I didn't want concrete debris in my enclosure. The 16x16 paver is a bit wasteful of space at the sides. It creates a short shelf that might be usable, but I would have preferred something 12" wide.

The 16" depth is good. With the front of the paver lined up just behind the front panel, the back feet sit flat on the surface at the rear. Should fit your cabinet just fine if the printer itself does.

It is very quiet. Except for rapid solid infill moves, I can barely hear it across the room.

My notes and disclaimers on 3D printing

and miscellaneous other tech projects
He is intelligent, but not experienced. His pattern indicates two dimensional thinking. -- Spock in Star Trek: The Wrath of Khan

Posted : 08/08/2019 1:56 am
Dave B
(@dave-b-3)
New Member
RE: Improving printer platform stability

@bobstro

Was looking for tips on how to quiet this thing down, since my new Mk3S build was in the basement and could be heard throughout the house. Followed your technique and it worked wonders! Simple and cheap.

Bought a concrete paver at Lowe’s for ~$3, then pressure washed it to get off some stains & pull out the dust/debris. Let it dry for a couple of days, then vacuumed it. Sprayed on 3-4 coats of Elasti-Dip to seal in any remaining dust, etc.  Let it dry for a few days, then put the paver on top of a sheet of vinyl kitchen shelf liner in the bottom of my Lack cabinet.  Placed the Prusa directly on the paver (just using the stock Prusa feet). The thing is virtually silent now and I can hardly hear it even when I’m in the same room.  Thanks for the idea with the Plasti-Dip, it’s a perfect solution and makes the paver look a bit better.

Posted : 02/11/2020 2:31 am
cwbullet
(@cwbullet)
Member
RE: Improving printer platform stability

I used standard 18" x 18" tiles.  They fit perfectly in the legs of a Lack table.  I posted a link on Amazon, but I bought them locally.  The price is about the same as Lowes.  It quiets things down and adds weight to the tables.  I added small felt pads to reduce vibration.  

--------------------
Chuck H
3D Printer Review Blog

Posted : 02/11/2020 10:34 am
bobstro
(@bobstro)
Illustrious Member
Topic starter answered:
RE: Improving printer platform stability
Posted by: @charles-h13

I used standard 18" x 18" tiles.  They fit perfectly in the legs of a Lack table.  

How much do those weigh? You want a lot of mass to dampen the vibrations.

 

My notes and disclaimers on 3D printing

and miscellaneous other tech projects
He is intelligent, but not experienced. His pattern indicates two dimensional thinking. -- Spock in Star Trek: The Wrath of Khan

Posted : 02/11/2020 2:27 pm
cwbullet
(@cwbullet)
Member
RE: Improving printer platform stability

Not as much as concrete and about as much as a cutting board.  They dampen a lot.  

--------------------
Chuck H
3D Printer Review Blog

Posted : 02/11/2020 3:26 pm
Page 2 / 2
Share: