Clearance and filament question for future owner
Hi! I'm an MK3 owner (my first printer) eagerly awaiting the MMU upgrade, and I had some questions before I move forward on a project:
I'm currently building an enclosure out of some Ikea LACK, but when I took a closer look at the way filament loads into the MMU, it seems like I'll have to rethink my designs. Any insight from MK2 MMU owners would be really appreciated!
1. About how much vertical clearance do the tubes going from the motors to the hotend need?
2. I can't seem to find any good pictures of the rear of the motors. Is the feed-in hole at a position or angle as to reasonably allow filament spools seated above and behind the printer (on a shelf above)? If not, a shelf below feeding upwards? In either/both cases, would filament guide tubing be required, recommended, or not recommended?
3. Finally, has anyone attempted an enclosure, and do you have any more broad tips in both prep and eventual ownership of an MMU?
Thanks! I know it's all hypothetical until the MK3 MMU is officially out, but any MK2 info to help me prep is really valuable right now!
MK3 Enclosure/ Housing
I have a similar question. I am a Jr. High Teacher. I have ordered the MK3 and the MMU as a gift for my class. When you are working with 12 and 13-year-old kids, there is ALWAYS one boy that will dare another boy to do exactly what I tell them not to. (Sorry to pick on the boys) When I tell them please do not touch it, there are parts that are hot, one of those boys will end up with a burn, they will be in the Nurse’s office, and I will be in the Principal’s office explaining how it happened. I would like to buy or build a cover that will allow the students to view the printer on all sides, without getting burned. I considered plexiglass, and drilling holes, and maybe adding a fan for ventilation (we also have huge temperature fluctuations in the classroom) I would prefer to buy an already made enclosure, but I can make it if necessary. If anyone has any advice, or knows the dimensions, it would be quite helpful. Oh, also I would like to move the LCD to outside the enclosure for the students to view and use.
Thanks, Heidi
Re: MK3 Enclosure/ Housing
I have a similar question. I am a Jr. High Teacher. I have ordered the MK3 and the MMU as a gift for my class.
Wow, best teacher ever!
I can understand the concern about hot surfaces, but to be honest, it's a fairly minor worry. On the hot end the actual zone of hot is pretty small and surrounded by fan shrouds. You have to really work to get a finger in there, and even if you do, you're not likely to get anything worse than a blister on the fingertip. This sounds to me like something better managed through stern warnings and accepting a slight risk. I speak as a parent of three teenage boys...
If you stick to printing PLA, you can keep the print bed at 60C, which is uncomfortably warm but not hot enough to burn.
I've done some classroom demos of 3D printing, and the kids always want to crowd around the printer and watch (at least until the novelty wears off). Instead of building an enclosure, maybe you can set up a perimeter around the printer and tell the kids they need to stay back so everyone can see what's going on. That seems a lot easier to me.
Re: Clearance and filament question for future owner
With Jr High student ages I can understand the concern for safety. Just think of what one of them would do when they see the finger print symbol on the MK52 heat bed.
If they see a finger print one might want to touch it. How hot is the heat bed when it's in operation?
Re: Clearance and filament question for future owner
With Jr High student ages I can understand the concern for safety. Just think of what one of them would think when they see the finger print symbol on the MK52 heat bed.
If they see a finger print one might want to touch it. How hot is the heat bed when it's in operation?
For PLA, the heated bed will be around 60C, or 140F. About as hot as a lukewarm cup of coffee.
Re: Clearance and filament question for future owner
I would estimate the Maximum vertical height of the mk2 + mmu to be 24 inches
or approximately 170mm higher than the main frame
I hope this helps
the first picture shows a close up of the top of the printer with the extruder as far up as it will go... you should just be able to see the extended depth gauge of a vernier caliper touching the mounting bracket for the left motor pair... the vernier is fully extended at 152mm
the second picture shows where I keep my filament spools and dispensers...
I have moved the original 100mm ptfe tubes from the front of the filament dispensers and installed them vertically, through 4mm holes in the shelf, towards the back of the filament dispenser base. then I have used additional 4x2 ptfe to guide the filament through a gentle curve to the back of the extruder motor blocks, where the tubes are a push fit, int the housing....the ends of the 100mm tube abd the guide tube (about 18 inches long) are allowed to butt together as filament is drawn off the reel, and when the printer parks the filament after printing that material, the two tubes part to stop the filament back feeding and possibly spilling off the side of the reel this reduces the liklihood of the filament getting into a knot on the reel.
hope this makes sense, regards 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: Clearance and filament question for future owner
In regard to safety I think the heatbed is hotter than was explained above. In another thread I see them talking and this is said.
change my bed temp to 100c for ABS
A 100C is 212 degrees fahrenheit. This is a bit hotter than 60C or 140F.
Thinking safety is a good idea, even adults will do dumb things! I see it daily...... lol
Re: Clearance and filament question for future owner
In regard to safety I think the heatbed is hotter than was explained above. In another thread I see them talking and this is said...
As Peter already wrote, it is material dependent. 60°C for PLA. For beginners, I'd stick with PLA anyway. Easier to work with and no smell.
- Martin
- Martin