Y stepper cooling box for Prusa MK3S+

prusaprinters

<p>Update 11/11/2022</p><p>The box temperature is maintained at 70F even when using low fan speed&nbsp;</p><figure class="image"><img></figure><p>Original post</p><p>This is my attempt to reduce the number of failed prints when high ambient temperature is required for certain filaments and Prusa's Y stepper struggles.</p><p>Note: There are other options out there (like changing the stepper, using heat sink and so on) but I chose this particular one because it is inexpensive and it is easily reversible. The other components I had available from my “recyclable” bins.&nbsp;</p><p>The print requires three parts but two are permanently attached (the cover and the bottom) &nbsp;so at the end you only have two pieces to attach to the printer. Since I used ASA filament, I glued the cover to the bottom using acetone. Instant adhesive should work as well. After that you will need three M3 screws and three M3 square nuts to close the box around the Y stepper.&nbsp;</p><p>The air intake hose I used is 40mm OD from an old vacuum, while for &nbsp;the exhaust tube is 3/8" ID vinyl tube (½"OD). Outside the enclosure I mounted an 80mm PC fan.&nbsp;</p><p>It's a new design and time will tell if it improves the rate of success or not.</p><p>Note: The box should not interfere at all with the moving parts of the printer. You may need to change the printer support legs if the height too low.&nbsp;</p><figure class="media"><oembed url="https://youtu.be/_ZZ9o6K-hGg"></oembed></figure><figure class="media"><oembed url="https://youtu.be/jhaDyt-8wuE"></oembed></figure><p>&nbsp;</p><p>Here is a timelapse of the cooling performance. The Fluke instrument measures air temperature from the exhaust, the background thermostat indicates the temperature inside the enclosure.</p><figure class="media"><oembed url="https://youtu.be/CaeQuPzVAKM"></oembed></figure>