Custom 3D Printer Enclosure

This project was inspired by a desire to use my 3D printer to print materials such as ABS and PETG, which print better in a heat-enclosed environment. To achieve this, I outfitted a small table from IKEA with walls of wood and plexiglass, and integrated several electronic features. This project uses an Arduino Mega to control power, LED lighting, and temperature monitoring. I also included a Raspberry Pi 3 which runs Octoprint, a software that allows me remote control and video monitoring over my printer. Most electronics, including the Arduino, Raspberry Pi, and printer motherboard, are all housed in a 3D printed box  with computer fans for cooling. 

The front of the enclosure features a panel for controlling power through the arduino. The printer, Raspberry Pi, and air filter can each be toggled separately, and each has a LED status indicator. The air filter, located on the back wall inside the enclosure, is used to remove plastic particles from the air, since the printer is in my bedroom. It uses a blower fan and respirator cartridge to clean the air. The LED lighting is controlled by a rotary switch, allowing my to cycle through different colors and brightness levels. 

The final product proved to be very good at containing heat within the print area. As shown above, the inside of the enclosure was able to reach over 90° F, while temperatures in my bedroom stayed around 70° F. I was able to successfully and consistently print tougher materials with this setup.