3D Printer Enclosure - PVC - Any Size by RonnieG303

Last crawled date: 2 years, 11 months ago

This DIY kit consists of various printable joints and other common parts to make a relatively inexpensive printer (or other device) enclosure using 1/2 inch US standard PVC pipe as its main frame members. The joints are designed with .1 inch retainer slots for .093 PLGA clear plastic panels, available at most US big box home improvement stores.
For purpose of illustrating the possibilities, I am including two examples of completely assembled enclosures, one a basic 24x24x24 inch that should work for most basic smaller printers, and a larger one, 24w x 32d x 36h with 2 doors, which would be suitable for larger printers, like CR10 and Longer LK4/LK5, with room for a top mount spool holder for direct feed setups. You should be able design an enclosure with just about any combination of dimensions with the included stl files.
The enclosures are intended to use 1/4" plywood or panel board for their roof and floor. Use of a sturdy roof is recommended if you intend to mount or store spools of filament on top. However, installing a floor at all is completely optional. If used, those would be attached to the top and bottom of the printed corners using standard 1" or 1-1/4" drywall screws.
You could also drill selected corner retention clips and mount 1/8" pressboard or cardboard on some walls instead of using PLGA panels, and/or stretch plastic sheeting around some or all of the other walls and door(s). In that case, you would probably also be able to eliminate all or most of the panel supports. .125" cabinet end panels, with a little sanding where it will go into the retainer fingers, would also work. Re: https://www.homedepot.com/p/Hampton-Bay-Hampton-0-125x34-5x23-25-in-Base-Cabinet-End-Panel-in-Unfinished-Beech-KASKB35-UF/302980492. I will be using some of this material for the back wall of my prototype enclosure.
Updates:
2011-05-09:
Moved door from inset to outside front of enclosure
Added photo (screen shot) of prototype enclosure
Major update to assembly instructions
2011-05-11:
Improved cylinder shapes from 20 to 120 sides for much better roundness and smoother finish. Larger file sizes but not much longer print times. Not all printers will be able to replicate this degree of roundness accuracy. Reducing layer height to .1mm could help, but would add significantly to print times.
2011-05-12:
Added special corner connectors and panel supports for back wall of .125 wood