MINI enclosure? IKEA?  

RE: MINI enclosure? IKEA?

I want to prepare an enclosure to cover the MINI when I do NOT use it...  I just placed the order, so I will need to wait a couple of months ...

Which are the x/y/z dimensions occupied by the printer? 

RE: MINI enclosure? IKEA?

@adynis

the print area dimensions are 18×18×18 centimeters or 7×7×7 inches. The printer itself has a small footprint of 33×38 cm (13×15 in) and it’s 38 cm (15 in) tall. It requires a little extra desk space of about 35×45 cm (14×18 in) for correct operation since there needs to be some leeway for cables.

RE: MINI enclosure? IKEA?

Super, thanks for the prompt answer.
So, like the picture sais: 33x38x38 cm overall size.
And while working/printing, the minimum space needed is something like: 35x45x40 cm .

My idea was to make a rectangular cover from transparent plexyglass, with a handle on top, in order to easely put it over the MINI. But since I understand that the working dimensions are not mych bigger , maybe I make one which can be used also during printing materials which need some higher temperature ....

RE: MINI enclosure? IKEA?

Printed Solid offers an enclosure for the Mini, should be a good reference: https://www.printedsolid.com/collections/enclosures/products/safety-enclosure-for-prusa-mini?variant=31575197548629

RE: MINI enclosure? IKEA?

FYI, thats my approach. Estimated cost ~ 40-50€. See https://katerkamp.de/maker/k-mini-enclosure.xhtml for details. FreeCAD Source on github. Contributions welcome.

RE: MINI enclosure? IKEA?

Posted by: @bodo

Seems to me that Prusa Research does not want the users to place the Mini in a Lack enclosure:

✅Leave at least 25 cm (1 ft.) around the printer

Chapter 5 / page 10 in PDF Mini Handbook

 Screenshot_20191217_074512.png

sorry for the question but does anyone understood why for Mini a 25 cm is need when is it not mandatory for others like MK3 ?

RE: MINI enclosure? IKEA?

@gritche2

Possibly due to the power supply overheating. It is best to ask Prusa. My MK3 is working in an enclosure and i have  positioned the power supply outside of the housing. Best practice would be to install all electronic components outside the enclosure and regulate the heat inside the enclosure with fans.

RE: MINI enclosure? IKEA?

As i said at the beginning of this thread, i am going to make a LACK enclosure for my Mini

This is where i am up to so far, still a 'work in progress' project.

I've included a fume extractor because i want to print some ASA/ABS and the 'Boss' says no smells in the house 😉 

You can see the extractor on the front left of the printer base.

Still need to wire up the front switches (Power/lights/extractor)

I am also looking at feeding the Mini with filament from above, i have some ideas/method for doing this, will post final product when its done.

S

RE: MINI enclosure? IKEA?

@steve-4

Nice project and good work!

How much did you invest in all materials?

RE: MINI enclosure? IKEA?

@karl-herbert

Thanks I will ask and post answer. And may be  a regulated temperature enclosure (using ventilation) will be enough.

RE: MINI enclosure? IKEA?

Posted by: @karl-herbert

@steve-4

Nice project and good work!

How much did you invest in all materials?

So far, £18 for 3 LACK tables, £30 for the Acrylic sheets, £17 for a Noctura fan for the extractor and about £20 on switches, LED lights and electrical connectors etc etc

So about £85, all in, will probably do it all for under £90, a few little bits may still be needed for the external filament feed idea.

Sorry, plus half a spool of PETG (mine was from Amazon), so call it £100  😉 

S

RE: MINI enclosure? IKEA?

I have two.  I bought on off eBay made of wood and have another one make of lack tables.  I ask still testing the wooden one.    

RE: MINI enclosure? IKEA?

@steve-4

Thanks for all the information. I think this could be one of the most used and cheapest solution for an enclosure.

RE: MINI enclosure? IKEA?

UPDATE

I've fitted the fan, done all the wiring and the lights and Fan work fine

As can be seen, the Mini fits fine with the filament spool inside.

There is about 75mm clearance above the Z axis, so plenty of room under the Mini for a 40mm pavoir for added weight

The only issue i have noted so far is space to access the USB port, its a bit fiddly with the filament spool inside too.

A remote USB port would work, and also i'm going to try to mount the spool on the top of the cabinet, which will free up plenty of space.

S

RE: MINI enclosure? IKEA?

@steve-4 : It looks great !!

For the USB maybe you can just use a USB cable (e.g.:  )

For the filament spool, does it work on top? Maybe you can put it on the side, with a hole in the side panel.

RE: MINI enclosure? IKEA?

@steve-4

Nice build! I’m new to all this and trying to build a similar enclosure. How did you power the Noctura fan? Did you add a potentiometer to adjust fan speed? Can it be  powered directly from the mini?

RE: MINI enclosure? IKEA?

Posted by: @robert-b73

@steve-4

Nice build! I’m new to all this and trying to build a similar enclosure. How did you power the Noctura fan? Did you add a potentiometer to adjust fan speed? Can it be  powered directly from the mini?

Hi Robert,

No, i bought a 12v Noctura fan and the LED's are also 12v, i bought them off ebay and they came with a seperate 12v transformer, so i used that as feed for both the LED's and the fan.

The best i know is that there isnt a 12v 'out' from the Mini.

No 'pot' on the fan, happy the way it is, i'm only going to be using it for ASA/ABS prints

S

RE: MINI enclosure? IKEA?

Hi Guys

As i said, i have experimented with a system of having the spool outide my LACK enclosure, on the top.

This is the part i printed, along with 2 T-Nuts to mount it.

This pic above shows it mounted and the X-carrage at the top of the Z-Axis.

Having a reasonable length of PTFE tube between the printed arm and the filament sensor ensures little resistance from the filament and no chance of the filament kinking.

In the enclosure

Fits well and now it's easy to reach the USB port.

The nice thing about this mod is that it is very simple to revert back to the original system for feeding the filament

S

RE: MINI enclosure? IKEA?

Could someone please measure the external PSU for me?

RE: MINI enclosure? IKEA?

The PSU can sit in the enclosure as long as you keep the temps below 40 Celsius (I think).