Anet A6 Control board cover with 8cm fan

thingiverse

I drew inspiration for this cover design from tobbi007's work, a reproduction of the original Anet controller cover with added fan mountings and a hole. I mounted it on my A6 after noticing that the heatsinks on the control board were heating up quickly during prints, especially the stepper drivers. One of my pet peeves is the tangle of wires around the control board, so I aimed to simplify its appearance while adapting the design for use in an enclosure like a Lack cabinet. This project's first phase, as the next step involves designing an inlet duct for the fan, drawing air from under the Lack table top where the printer resides. This should cool the board with fresh outside air and give the enclosure positive pressure to reduce dust intake. The design keeps exposed wiring to a minimum and uses existing fasteners from the original printer setup. Install two nuts in the T slots as usual, then slide tenons into the main frame's slots and secure them with screws before tightening. Ensure the rear of the cover is aligned over the edge of the rear frame that holds it securely. A built-in cable guide keeps wiring to the front edge of the control board, improving air circulation and heat sink airflow. I routed most wires behind the control board and out from its sides where they plug in; the rest should be directed to the front edge of the board, immediately behind the printer's main frame. Plans include running the 12-volt supply from the PSU up through the IKEA Lack table, directly inside the cover, and connecting it to the board's power terminals. The fan can be connected at this point as well.