Update for Anycubic Kossel Linear Plus

thingiverse

Update for Anycubic Kossel Linear Plus IMO this is an excellent printer for its price, but what's a 3D printer if not to be able to upgrade it and then make more printers? Think about it; if a 3D printer is already a self-replicating machine that uses humans to leverage the bits it doesn't have (a bit like a virus), how long before the world is overrun with 3D printers because they don't need humans anymore? So, having upgraded my Kossel Linear Plus's blower, filament spool, given it some feet, and added a few other odds and ends, what's next? Well, it would be nice if making it stiffer improves the print quality further. Also, it would be nice if I can add an enclosure to help make ABS printing less hit-and-miss while keeping the cat's paws out of the works...and it would be nice if I can make it look cooler. That's what today's project is about. You will need: 1) An Anycubic Kossel Linear Plus, although I suspect any printer with the same size frame will work fine 1) Three sheets of 3mm acrylic sheet cut to 600mm x 400mm 2) That's it! 3) Okay, okay, there are a few corner panels to print to finish the job, but they aren't absolutely necessary 4) Some of those little hex bolts and T-pieces used to construct the printer - the short ones like those used to attach the extruder bracket to the frame 5) A Stanley or craft knife may be helpful Construction: 1) Start by printing the corner pieces -Two each of 'Large_Left' and 'Large_Right' -One each of 'Small_Left' and 'Small_Right' Note: The Large parts are pretty much the maximum size you can fit into the 2020 sections, so make sure to use a large enough print bed. 2) Hold the perspex sheet by the two longer edges and give it a bit of a squeeze. You should note that the sheet has a tendency to bend in one direction more than the other - don't try to force it the other way, or it will likely snap! 3) If you hold the sheet up against the uprights of the printer, you'll see that it fits exactly (a little tightly) in between the upper and lower horizontal 2020 sections. 4) The trick is to give the sheet a darn good squeeze so it fits between those sections while bowing out a bit. With some effort, and care, you'll find the edges will fit perfectly into the 'spare' channels of the 2020 uprights. You'll know you got it right as everything will snap neatly into place with no wiggle-room. Note: If fitted in the standard position, the wires to the extruder stepper motor are in danger of getting nipped. Be careful! ...at this point, you're allowed to shout "Huzzarh!" and call it a day. Cool perspex side (and corner) panels fitted to the rear two-thirds of the printer, significantly stiffening the whole frame while cutting down that nasty breeze that's so bad for ABS printing. I can attest that my printer's already decent output has improved further, and this shielding does help those all-too-dodgy ABS prints go a little better. But what about the front of the printer, and that last sheet? Yes, time to finish the job as a front panel with finish the aesthetic, improve the shielding, help retain heat where needed, and keep those pesky feline paws out of the works. 9) Take your final perspex sheet and score two lines across its width - one at 200mm and the other at 400mm 10) You should find, with a bit of brutality, that the sheet will snap neatly along those score lines - as the Emperor would say, "Do it!" 11) The cunning part is now two of those three pieces can be fitted to the front of the printer just as the others were, but with the ability to easily fit, remove or slide them up and down as required. You should find that the Bowden pipe from the extruder will easily pass above a pair of the cut-down sheets, or between the pair depending on the configuration you need. The display remains fully visible and accessible at all times. Bonus points: 12) If you happen to have moved your extruder and spool to the top of the printer then you'll be able to use all three parts of the final sheet. I would still cut it up to give options and ease the removal of the panels you're most likely need to use for access. Done!