The "HomeCube" - a smarter printer enclosure for the Prusa I3 Mk3 and other printers

thingiverse

<b>Update, 2020-05-05:</b>\r\nThe dimensions of the Prusa I3 Mk3 integration's front bridge have been slightly modified to ensure that the front doors can still be opened and closed when an SD card is inserted into the printer's control panel.\r\nThis update does not affect users who do not utilize the Prusa I3 Mk3 integration.\r\nIf you have already built your housing with the Prusa I3 Mk3 integration, you can update your build at any time by printing the "E1 Frame Front Bridge" part and cutting a small portion from your plexiglass doors.\r\n\r\n**********\r\n<b>Update, 2019-08-05:</b>\r\nOptional/alternative parts addressing filament guidance have been added, along with alternative door stops that allow for the use of a wider range of magnets.\r\nThe manual has been updated to cover assembly and use of these new parts.\r\n\r\n**********\r\n<b>Minor bugfix update, 2019-07-18:</b>\r\nA wrong measurement was specified on page 34 of the building instructions (step 12.2: correct values are 84 x 28 mm). This has been corrected and the instructions have been reuploaded.\r\nIn this process, I also split the original "all files" ZIP into an STLs ZIP and the instructions PDF so that the PDF can now be downloaded separately.\r\n**********\r\n\r\nThis versatile modular 3D printer housing is designed primarily for the Prusa I3 Mk3 but will fit any other I3 type printer, as well as some others, due to its ability to be built in arbitrary sizes and configurations.\r\nI initially considered building the "LACK" housing, which is cheap and easy to assemble, but it was too inflexible to meet my needs. So I designed this modular 3D printer housing with several additional options, including:\r\n\r\n- <b>Non-invasive</b> integration of the Prusa I3 Mk3 (and potentially the Mk2 as well?)\r\n- <b>Base-mounted</b> PTFE tube guidance for MMU2 or similar multifilament systems (like the SMuFF)\r\n- Variable cabinet size to fit individual needs\r\n- Side mount for PSU and/or Octopi\r\n- An included <b>modular</b> spool holder system\r\n- Horizontal cabinet illumination\r\n- Temperature sensor equipment\r\n- ...and some other utilities and conversion options.\r\n\r\nCompared to the "LACK" solution, this construction requires a bit more effort to build - more time, tools, skills, and money. However, I believe that no minimally experienced do-it-yourselfer will be overwhelmed by the task (after all, we are makers!). So, take a look at the materials and tools lists in the PDF manual supplied with the files and decide for yourself if you want to put in the extra effort.\r\n\r\nRegarding the manual: I have put considerable effort into documenting preparation, 3D printing, and assembly step-by-step - it features 45 pages and about 150 pictures (see screenshots above). I hope that every step of building your own enclosure to fit your specific needs is explained clearly and comprehensively.\r\n\r\nMy own printer housing has had about three months of testing. Some parts have been improved during this time, while others may be added in the future. The only thing that has not yet been tested "in action" is the MMU2 integration since I do not currently possess an MMU2.\r\nIf you have any feedback on the project, I would love to hear your comments. What particularly interests me is whether my approach for Prusa I3 Mk3 integration works with the I3 Mk2 and/or Mk2.5 as well. And of course, I would be thrilled to see "makes" of my "thing"... due to the file set's versatility, it's likely that no two of them will look alike.\r\n\r\nNote: The STL file visible in the pictures list is for illustration purposes only (Thingiverse requires at least one uncompressed file to be uploaded). The actual STLs needed for printing are in the "HomeCube STLs and DXFs" ZIP.