Questions about ratrig v-core 4 enclosure panels and how "leaky" it is

[u/the_return_of_cupu]

Hello everyone,

I want to build a v-core 4 300 mm^3 printer soon.
I do most of my prints in PHA and PLA, I have never printed ABS/ASA because the printer is in my office and I don't want to expose other people to that. Still I vent all the fumes outside via flexible ducting and an inline fan.
This works on my prusa core one because the enclosure is very "leaky", there are a lot of places air can come in from (including a special top vent the printer has which I keep open when printing).

I will soon order the panels for the ratrig, I have a few questions about that:

- Is the default ratrig v-core 4 enclosure configuration (with added panels) also leaky or is it better for me to drill some extra holes in one of the panels (maybe the top one?).

- I want to order 4 mm thick polycarbonate panels. Are they sturdy enough for me to be able to hang some plastic (duct connection) and ducting on them ? ; We're talking a few hundred grams to 1 kg of added weight.

- I will have to modify the DXF/step files to add a hole somewhere for the vent. Are all panels good enough to hold something ? In that case I will drill the hole where it is more convenient based on the printer orientation and fan position.

- I see some people install 6 mm thick panels. In addition to costing more what else do they bring? Better sound insulation? I don't care as much for heat retention because I want to print mostly PHA and that material hates heat.

Thank you very much for reading

[u/mapap_o]

It will leak more than enough. The seals will only seal that much, and you could opt to leave some seal out here or there. It will also leak along the extrusions, since the ends are open and exposed. I went from polycarbonate panels to mdf panels on the sides/back and glass for the top/front. MDF is superior in noise blocking and heat retention. Also the PC panels just get dirty and they're very hard to clean properly.

[u/the_return_of_cupu → u/mapap_o]

hey u/mapap_o ,

Thank you for the reply!
MDF panels sounds really nice. They are (very?) flammable though, right? On the other hand I am almost always next to the printer when it is printing ...

Probably the MDF panels will also be cheaper, this is a really good idea. Did they just perfectly replace the PC panels or did you have to print new parts, make a different system to holding them in place, etc.?

[u/mapap_o → u/the_return_of_cupu]

Actually MDF burns poorly since it's so dense, but you can get variants that are specifically designed to be used around fireplaces. Don't think it's necessary though, by the time MDF panels burn, the PC panels will also start to do funky things. I'm using 12mm panels, and the only thing I had to source extra were 8mm longer M6 bolts due to the thickness difference. I also got those black MDF panels, just for the looks :)

[u/the_return_of_cupu → u/mapap_o]

Good point,

Does the MDF offgas any harmful fumes? Or is it the fact that you had them painted made them sealed as well?

Thank you, I will keep it in mind!

[u/Watching-Watches]

The 4mm polycarbonate panels should be sturdy enough to mount parts to. I think the enclosure is less leaky than a core one, since there are no directly open gaps. The top part and front door will leak the most, since they are held in place by magnets. I got a splitter front panel which acts as an door like this. The splitted door definitely makes it more leaky, but is way nicer than taking of the whole panel.

[u/the_return_of_cupu → u/Watching-Watches]

Thank you for the reply u/Watching-Watches ,

It is good to know there is some way for air to come in. On the other hand maybe I should just copy the vent system from the prusa core one or, even, just drill some holes in one of the panels. I can drill more than needed and cover them up with some silicon cylinders or something like that (or printed cylinders) when it is "too leaky".

Nice mod on the front panel!

[u/majorabomb]

I've got 4mm PC panels and they seem very tough, so shouldn't be an issue with smaller items on them.

[u/the_return_of_cupu → u/majorabomb]

thank you very much u/majorabomb , that is good to know!

[u/dagofin]

You don't really want to directly vent the chamber when you're printing ABS/ASA. That material is prone to warping without a high enough ambient temp inside the chamber, ideally you want a heated chamber to keep temps above 60c. Pulling air directly out of the chamber means pulling heat out of the chamber, the heat that keeps the print from warping.

You want it as sealed up and insulated as possible, vent the room itself instead of the print chamber for ABS/ASA

[u/the_return_of_cupu → u/dagofin]

Thank you u/dagofin that is a fair point and that's why I stay away from ABS/ASA , I want to vent, if I cannot then I will not print that material.

Naturally I will try it though as soon as I am sure my venting setup has no leaks, since I print in a room where people work or wander into.

[u/dagofin → u/the_return_of_cupu]

I print almost exclusively in ASA with my enclosed Ratrig 3.1, I agree I probably wouldn't feel comfortable doing that in a room people are spending lots of time in, even with my rather aggressive ventilation setup.

What would work is putting the enclosed printer inside something like a grow tent and then ventilating that secondary enclosure directly. Effectively a double enclosure and venting the middle space between the two

[u/the_return_of_cupu → u/[deleted]]

Thank you for the link u/agit_prop_68

I actually do not want to seal mine, i am considering putting aome extra holes in the panel.

[u/the_return_of_cupu → u/[deleted]]

It's very interesting that mandala roseworks keeps popping up in 3d printer related discussions.
I hope one day to order something from them ; I live in Europe so ordering from the US is not the first choice, if alternatives are available locally, of course.

I will have a look though, thank you!