Ender 3 - A Better Rear Electronics Enclosure

thingiverse

###Please consider supporting my efforts (and my coffee and bagel habit) with a PayPal tip. 2020/05/21: I added step files by popular demand, so be sure to check them out! Please credit my original design on your re-mixes, thanks! I had admired many of the rear electronics enclosures for the Ender 3 available on Thingiverse and added a rear enclosure to my wish list. My biggest criticism was that they all had the Ender 3 motherboard USB connection sticking straight out the back. This was a problem because the Ender 3 mini USB connector is a surface mount component that can easily be sheared off by accident. Sure enough, I did just that! In the process of recabling my computer, I managed to whack the Ender 3 USB cable pretty hard with my elbow and tore the connector clear off the motherboard - it was unrepairable! I ordered a replacement motherboard and immediately went to work designing this enclosure. _NOTE_ - For this design, left and right are referenced from the rear view, front and back are Ender 3 front and back. ###Features: * This enclosure houses the Ender 3 motherboard and a Raspberry Pi 3B. * There are mounting provisions for up to three LM2596 DC-DC 3A step down converters. You'll need one to supply 5V to the Raspberry Pi! * The enclosure is a two-part design with an interlocking center joint strengthened by front and back doublers. * The Raspberry Pi ethernet and USB connections are externally accessible. * The Ender 3 motherboard is safely buried inside, with a short USB extension running outside to connect it to the Raspberry Pi. * The screw holes are intended for self-tapping screws. Print quality and orientation have a significant effect on this feature - be prepared to use a tap if necessary! * Two 40mm 24VDC brushless fans provide ample cooling. One fan is oriented to pull air out, while the other forces air in. * The enclosure covers are secured by magnets, making them easy to remove without screws! * Provision is made for connecting to the Ender 3 control panel from either side or under the printer through an access slot at the front center of the enclosure. * Power cables for the print bed can be routed underneath or above the motherboard. Support slots and cable tie points are provided. * It's recommended to use a SD card extension cable to make the SD card accessible from the front of the Ender 3 - check out my "Ender 3 - A Better Left Front Drawer with SD Card Slot" project! ###Revisions: 2020/05/21: I added step files by popular demand, so be sure to check them out! Please credit my original design on your re-mixes, thanks! 20191124: I added mounting provisions for two more LM2596 DC-DC Step Down Converters to the left enclosure.