A way to lock the printer from unauthorized users?
I have convinced my work that 3D printer would be a useful tool here in my engineering department so I put an order in for a Prusa MK4 with an enclosure. I have never used a Prusa before and I was wondering if there was a way to lock the printer to prevent unauthorized users from playing with it. Unfortunately a sniper tower watching over the printer wasn't in the budget.
RE: A way to lock the printer from unauthorized users?
Sniper towers are extremely messy the projectiles just don't know where to stop, try a Dead Fall Trap instead!
Joan
I try to make safe suggestions,You should understand the context and ensure you are happy that they are safe before attempting to apply my suggestions, what you do, is YOUR responsibility. Location Halifax UK
RE: A way to lock the printer from unauthorized users?
Your signature checks out. 🤣
RE: A way to lock the printer from unauthorized users?
It depends on what is unauthorised user in your case. For children, employees and other peaceful people should be the best just a locked enclosure.
RE: A way to lock the printer from unauthorized users?
There's a fuse just below the on/off switch on the Delta PSU. Pop off the cover, pull the fuse, replace the cover.
RE: A way to lock the printer from unauthorized users?
I was in the same place several years ago and approached it from a different angle.
l introduced anyone interested from any department to the machine whenever asked. If anyone wanted to use it or have something printed I had them load pruslicer and run the model thru. They learned the basics and printed.
for the first year we kept a log and recorded every print. When we printed stuff for non work use we logged training. Any printing was encouraged. We printed stuff that was and was not useful.
we put it on a cart and wheeled it into the maintenance department to print paddles for a conveyor for a week
we had the smooth sheet damaged before reviewing the function of the removable sheet. We tried to print with the wrong material at the wrong temp with the wrong settings. We had poor designs that to be redone, we used the wrong material for applications.
We learned as a group, and that was my plan. I didn’t want it to be an exotic process only done by elites. I try to find talent and inspire talent wherever it is.
I have been feverishly printing since 2014 at home and for work and wanted to make it “just another tool” like a paper printer. The Prusa Mk3+ makes that possible.
RE:
I'm all about teaching people how to use it but I just want to make sure the less than mature people don't mess with it to be funny or annoying. We just got the printer in this morning and while doing the calibration stuff I had a guy try to be funny and slap a sticky note to the tool head fans. I would say I work with a bunch of orangutans but that wouldn't be fair to orangutans. I'm going to write up a written process and all that stuff to teach people who are interested.
RE: A way to lock the printer from unauthorized users?
Ethan,
every group is different. Sounds like you have a fun loving group. I may have fired it up with the note on the fan, what would it hurt? Another lesson learned.
The more normal I make it the less exotic and special it seems. Just another tool available to apply as needed.
It has become a normal tool like a stapler or drill press. Leave it as found and if problems ask for help. Like other tools we use. It has lost it’s magic and is a normal thing now.
RE: A way to lock the printer from unauthorized users?
If security of the machine is really needed, you could always add an inline key switch to the powersupply so that only key holders could operate, but considering when an active print is happening unless you wanted to watch it like a hawk for 2+ days straight (I do alot of large prints for my office, really trying to get them to supply me with an XL but they have been burned by the SL1S and its been like pulling nails to get a new printer) theres always potential for some joker to poke things that do not need to be poked. luckilly in my office its mostly engineers that make use of the printer and its located in one of their offices with me being the only non-engineer that has access for its maintenance (and the only one that really wants to work with the aforementiond SL1S).