Lack enclosure and stability
I'm a soon to be Mk3 owner, my first 3D printer. I like the idea of an enclosure, and IKEA & TAP Plastics are within driving distance. My question is about stability.
I don't yet know exactly where the printer will go, but I was thinking of building only a single level Lack enclosure and keeping the printer on a solid desk. The enclosure either wouldn't have a "floor", or I'd buy a second Lack use just the 2nd top for the floor and put rubber feet on the bottom. I have seen some forum posts mention placing the printer on a paver stone, but I'm not sure what problem this is solving for. Does this really need to be it's own freestanding cabinet with two Lack tables? Will it just work on a desk? Do I need a bottom to the enclosure instead of the desktop?
RE: Lack enclosure and stability
Aside from the etiquette of replying to a 3 year old post (an internet search brought me here, so I presume it may bring others...) I'd like to comment on this.
I am partway through sourcing / print the various parts for a 3-tier Lack table setup, and it already crossed my mind that stability will be a problem. I've seen a few posts on youtube saying they don't like the stability of two tiers let alone three.
Heavy duty brackets will help the lower two tables stay together, but they won't change the issue with the centre of balance, unlike your proposed solution. (Which by now I expect you have built already... let's see photos?)
My plan is to cut a piece of 18mm thick MDF and mount it vertically on all three tiers, screwed in to each table from the rear. It somewhat defeats the object of having plexiglass at the rear, but if primed and painted nicely it may look good. I really don't like the idea of painting it black, it will look way too imposing, on the other hand white against black might look a bit lame. Although white will make for better photos of prints on the bed, and better reflection of internal light for octoprint camera.
I'll experiment and hopefully post back here, but I really think a slab under the table and some MDF or plywood screwed onto the rear of the tables is the only way to make the structure really solid.
RE: Lack enclosure and stability
Three tiers, printer on top of second tier, filament on the very top. No stability issues. If you get high speed infill with short travel, you can get a bit of shaking, but I've never had issues with it impacting the print.
RE: Lack enclosure and stability
Ive got essentially the same setup. Even got a similar light setup looking at the brightness control dangling on the left 🙂
The only difference is I have a paver slab with rubber pads on the bottom to add weight and damp out vibrations.