u/SaturatedShadows

TLDR: it doesn’t really do anything but it was a fun project.

This is the model for the mounting plates: https://makerworld.com/en/models/1620883-polydryer-adapter-with-tpu-gaskets-no-logos

Like many users, I would have loved an option for a first-party heated chamber. I already have two polydryer heaters and still waiting to get the official top cover, so why not hack up my already kinda janky Sterlite bin and give this a shot. Found a pretty good model for a mounting solution and seemed a valid reason to bring out the Easy PA and PET-CF spools. I also printed the gaskets in TPU 95a, 90a, and 85a - 85a is the hardest to print but easiest to use in assembly. I had to print the 85a on the A1 mini since the U1 would constantly jam every.single.time. 90a would also work but I think 95a is still a little too hard to be an effective gasket for anything that’s not smooth or flat.

As far as efficacy, well, it was disappointing. I made several efforts to give it the best chance of success - added a Biqu diaper to cover the bottom holes, added foam gasket between the top lid and mounting frame. Added a gasket to the front glass door. The two polydryers were set to the highest heat setting and both the heaters and the bed (set to 100c) were turned on about 20-minutes before starting the print.

I don’t trust the built-in thermometer so I used my own Govee wireless unit and you can see the heat build up over a 1.5 hour print of ABS Core-CF. While the U1 thermometer was reporting 62 degrees, the actual temp in the chamber was under 50 according to the Govee.

At the end of the day, it was a fun project where I got to play some materials that I don’t often have any reason to use. A side benefit of all this is my printer is now MUCH quieter on account of the all the sealing I did. The door gasket is kind of janky but works well and now when I was printing the ABS model, I didn’t smell any of that nasty styrene gas. Not sure how because I assumed the PSU fan would have exhausted the fumes, but I couldn’t smell it.

I'm pretty stoked right now and kinda wanted to share the excitement. The useful things people share on this sub has motivated me to finally take the plunge into CAD and I hope to inspire the same. A month ago I had absolutely zero CAD experience and agonized for weeks just on deciding which software to learn.

Anyway, this is my first design that was more than just a simple box with cutouts. I wanted convenient access for the tools I use most often, without taking up precious top surface space. My table already had mounting bosses for screws and figured it would be the easiest way to attach something to the table. The challenges were some weird geometry to work around. The countertop overhangs the edge of the frame where the screws go, so I needed to account for that. Additionally, I didn't want to add more holes and deal with extra bolts/nuts so I needed a way to support the weight of a long tool holder when only one side had screws. Finally, I wanted everything to print without supports.

What came of it was my first multi-part design with friction fits, snap-fits, and 3D printer specific design. I started with the pliers holder, which took a lot of iteration and test fitting. By the time I moved to designing the screwdriver and caliper holder, I got better and it fit on the first print.

I'm certain that there are parts of the design that I did the hard way and I'd love feedback on more efficient ways of doing the CAD work, so if anyone has some wisdom to share please do so! Of if ya'll have favorite video lessons, that's cool to share too.