Snapmaker build plate cover

thingiverse

My workspace is rapidly becoming a dust-gathering haven. Between frequent visits and the constant presence of books, dogs, and open windows, it's no wonder my area has become a dusty nightmare. If my build plate gets even remotely dusty, the prints immediately fail to adhere properly. I should probably have invested in an enclosure from the start, but that wasn't on my shopping list. To combat this issue, I've been covering the build plate with a piece of paper. This makeshift solution keeps the dust at bay most of the time, but it's incredibly easy for dogs or stray breezes to dislodge it. Determined to find a more reliable solution, I decided to print a custom cover for the build plate. The problem is that it needs to be slightly larger than the plate itself, making it impossible to print directly on top of it – or so I thought. I cleverly broke down the part into four manageable pieces and added puzzle-piece connectors. These connectors require precise alignment during assembly, but they're a tight fit, which adds an extra layer of complexity to the project. To ensure everything would line up correctly, I printed two "dimension test" versions – these were designed to print faster and use less PLA. I used these dimension test pieces to verify that every component was properly aligned. The photo accompanying this post shows an earlier version with a slight misalignment in two dimensions; you can see the pinhole piece bowing away from the pin piece due to the snug fit. To assemble the custom cover, simply print four pieces and follow the instructions carefully.