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[Solved] smoothing the edges of the side and rear panels  

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hen3ry
(@hen3ry)
Active Member
smoothing the edges of the side and rear panels

About the side and rear panels:

As I unpacked them, my first guess was they are made of polypropylene, but the Prusa docs say, PETG, so PETG it is. (Right?)

They appear to have been cut (sawed) from larger sheets of the material. As they arrived in my hands, the cut edges are kind of messy, lots of attached bits. Probably 95% cosmetic, but I'd like to remove these and smooth the cut edges.   Recommendations for how best to do this, please?

TIA

Posted : 12/03/2023 2:15 am
Robin_13
(@robin_13)
Reputable Member
RE: smoothing the edges of the side and rear panels

I just put my enclosure together yesterday.  I didn't see the issue that you describe on the clear panels.  If it is an issue, just take a piece of fine sandpaper and run it along the edges.  Or use a fine file at a angle.

Posted : 03/04/2023 12:02 am
hen3ry
(@hen3ry)
Active Member
Topic starter answered:
RE: smoothing the edges of the side and rear panels

Thanks! 

Actually...  😐   D'oh, this problem isn't real, just a product of being in a hurry and not looking closely enough.   I tried to delete this post to save myself more embarrassment, but I couldn't see <adjusts spectacle this way and that> a way to do that, either.

 

Posted : 03/04/2023 12:25 am
Robin_13
(@robin_13)
Reputable Member
RE: smoothing the edges of the side and rear panels

Ah, the it takes longer as I get older syndrome.  🙂  We all run into it over time. 

I wanted to make this a family project so speed was not an issue.   MMU2s next on the list.

 

Posted : 04/04/2023 5:19 am
hen3ry
(@hen3ry)
Active Member
Topic starter answered:
RE: smoothing the edges of the side and rear panels CLOSED

This is a retired couples' project for us.    We're going to follow the KISS rule for a while, so no current interest in MMUs.

With the enclosure mostly built, we're getting a bit nervous about where it might live, leading us to wonder if we want to modify the printer for an enclosure that doesn't actually work for us.  How difficult is it to reverse the mods?   Guess I should start a new thread about that...

Posted : 04/04/2023 10:56 pm
Robin_13
(@robin_13)
Reputable Member
RE: smoothing the edges of the side and rear panels

Some of the mods for the enclosure don't need to be done unless you plan on leaving it in the enclosure.  It just makes things a bit harder to reach the power button.  From what I have read, I have to make more mods for the MMU so I am delaying that until I get some other things printed.

The hardest part of the mod was moving the power supply outside the case.  It required re-routing cables.

The mod to the extruder is a simple part change.

FWIW, I love having my printer in the enclosure.  For some materials, you need an enclosure.  If you have any type of drafts around your printer, you will also want an enclosure.  I saw enough failed prints at work before they started to cover printers with cardboard boxes.

Posted : 07/04/2023 5:19 am
hen3ry
(@hen3ry)
Active Member
Topic starter answered:
RE: smoothing the edges of the side and rear panels --> to do enclosure-ing now or later?

Thanks!

We're going to work on basics for a while, using PLA filament exclusively. PLA fumes are minimally smelly and non-toxic (right?) so from that point of view we don't need the enclosure right now.

It is very helpful to hear that the hardest part of the mod was moving the power supply outside. Thanks!

We're thinking that we ought to try the enclosure now, even if we don't strictly need it, as long as it isn't too difficult take the printer out again and restore it to stock configuration. At a first glance, the enclosure-ing instructions look daunting, but maybe just because they are just really detailed.

We bought the printer fully assembled, so we had no reason to look at the kit assembly instructions. We're guessing we can get a pretty good idea from those of what will be involved with restoring stock configuration. It is probably less scary than we're imagining.

Thanks for sharing about drafts. I think this may be more of an issue in this place than we might realize. That is a big vote for enclosure-ing now.

Posted : 08/04/2023 8:11 pm
Robin_13
(@robin_13)
Reputable Member
RE: smoothing the edges of the side and rear panels

There are a couple of changes to the printer when putting it in the enclosure that need to be reversed.  Mainly with the power supply and the control board.  It is easy enough to pull the printer out of the enclosure if needed.

Posted : 11/04/2023 2:41 am
hen3ry
(@hen3ry)
Active Member
Topic starter answered:
RE: smoothing the edges of the side and rear panels

Thanks!   We'll give it a try, hopefully in the next few days, and post back.

Posted : 11/04/2023 9:25 pm
Robin_13
(@robin_13)
Reputable Member
RE: smoothing the edges of the side and rear panels

Thought about it over night.  The display cables for the printer are stuck in the 2020 rail in the original install.  During the changes for the enclosure, the cables are put into a protective sleeve.  I would leave the cables in the sleeve and print a holder to tie wrap them onto the 2020 rail.  Here is a link.

https://www.printables.com/model/6593-2020-extrusion-zip-tie-clip

Posted : 12/04/2023 9:44 pm
hen3ry
(@hen3ry)
Active Member
Topic starter answered:
RE: smoothing the edges of the side and rear panels

Thanks!  Printed the clips in PLA --all I have at the moment-- and I hope to be trying them in the next few days.  Rainy weather here, good conditions for putting a printer in an enclosure.

Posted : 16/04/2023 6:28 pm
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