IKEA LACK printer farm for 12 printers. Is it possible?  

RE: IKEA LACK printer farm for 12 printers. Is it possible?

Yes.  I have 12 cubes with 6 printers.  One is for a photo cube.  The others store filament.  

RE: IKEA LACK printer farm for 12 printers. Is it possible?

@charles-h13

nice, thanks for the reply... can you maybe post an image? 🙂

did you end up designing your own brackets? or did you use metal ones such as these ones:

I measured it and I suppose I could get away with not lifting the tables up with 3d printed brackets... but then its quite a tight fit.

RE: IKEA LACK printer farm for 12 printers. Is it possible?

I think you would be OK with the compressive force - but I would worry a lot about the single screw holding the legs to the top.

If your stack starts to shift - it is all going down.

Make sure the legs are well braced - and good luck! And be careful taking a printer out for maintenance.

RE: IKEA LACK printer farm for 12 printers. Is it possible?

Posted by: @luka

@charles-h13

nice, thanks for the reply... can you maybe post an image? 🙂

did you end up designing your own brackets? or did you use metal ones such as these ones:

I measured it and I suppose I could get away with not lifting the tables up with 3d printed brackets... but then its quite a tight fit.

 

I did not mount them to one another.  I thought about.  I would like to see what you come up with.  

RE: IKEA LACK printer farm for 12 printers. Is it possible?

@robert-rmm200

no that bracket image was just an example... I would end up using something like this, if i went with metal options:

or if i went with 3D printed parts, its going to be something like this:

and now I also need to design connecting pieces...

Im not really sure which way would be better... I guess the metal brackets would be stronger, but then I dont get any additional height, and then it would be quite tight height wise...

RE: IKEA LACK printer farm for 12 printers. Is it possible?

If the total weight of each stack is approx 30 kg then that is nothing. Each leg will be carrying 8.5 kg. I’m sure you could stand on the lack without it collapsing. 
As mentioned. Unfixed, sliding off could be an issue but virtually any fixing providing it is tight would be suitable.

The main concern would be someone trying to climb it and tipping the whole lot over. It must be fixed back to a wall or something. 

the tidiest solution to both fixing issues might be a vertical length of timber running up the back of the legs nearest the wall. Fix legs to that and the timber to the wall. 

RE: IKEA LACK printer farm for 12 printers. Is it possible?

By the time you buy all the tables and made the various modifications, would it not be easier and cheaper to buy some lumber and custom build a shelf system?

RE: IKEA LACK printer farm for 12 printers. Is it possible?

That weight would not be anything as said above... but you probably do want to put a marble or paver underneath each printer as that setup could get loud without it.

The downside I see is potential resonance between the different LACK tables causing wobble problems.  They are not that sturdy in the purchased configuration.  That could definitely be done, but different leg supports either 3d printed or L shaped metal braces screwed to the bottoms of the legs to reinforce would be recommended.  Also if you had the room a 4 wide by three tall might be better.

If you do it, post pictures...

RE: IKEA LACK printer farm for 12 printers. Is it possible?

thanks for all the input so far.

I already ordered 8 lack tables, so that is why I'm not going with lumber and shelf system, even though I have lumber at home, but not the shelves... And I want to be able to take it apart next year probably and it's just easier with a bunch of lack tables.

alright so 30kg will not be an issue, I suppose you are right, I can sit on lack tables and they are fine. All of the lack tables will be joined together to create one big "table" and will also probably be screwed into the wall at a few spots.

what do you mean by putting marble or paver underneath the printers?

RE: IKEA LACK printer farm for 12 printers. Is it possible?

No issues with resonance for me.  I used a 18inch ceramic tile under each printer.  Pavers are over kill.  

RE: IKEA LACK printer farm for 12 printers. Is it possible?

I‘m pretty sure the tables can hold the weight. Anyway, I would also go for other shelving options in that size. Something more sturdy and easier to build up. You‘ve spent a lot of money for 12 printers. Why going cheap with a shelf? 

RE: IKEA LACK printer farm for 12 printers. Is it possible?

@luka

"what do you mean by putting marble or paver underneath the printers?"

I would imagine it's to dampen vibration.

I also would be worried resonances set up by printers (especially if they were in "phase" - solders always march over a bridge out of step). Oh yer, and the climbing thing.

If they are standing on a damp surface, take precautions, the legs are cheap MDF.

What sort of environment will they be running in, perhaps you should enclose them? 

RE: IKEA LACK printer farm for 12 printers. Is it possible?

Posted by: @nikolai-r

You‘ve spent a lot of money for 12 printers. Why going cheap with a shelf? 

Agree, little like buying a Ferrari then parking it under a car port. 

RE: IKEA LACK printer farm for 12 printers. Is it possible?

@luka

yep, Exactly what was said, a paver or piece of marble underneath the printer to dampen vibration noise.  The Lack table is sturdy, but it is comprised of rather thin wood top and bottom shell on the shelf and legs with a cardboard filler, like rectilinear infill on a 3-D print, inside.  It can resonate noise, let alone vibration,  especially with 12 printers.  A patio paver or piece of marble will dampen the sound. like in the pictures, except not sideways 😀 .

RE: IKEA LACK printer farm for 12 printers. Is it possible?

Just out of curisity, did you buy kits or built?