What heater exactly do you have for the case? and what ambient temp are you aiming for? We would love to keep our ABS parts form warping.

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B003XD … 04_s00_i00

It's only about 6" high and I use a 3" flexible duct to run it to the case.  It will get the inside to about 55C if the room is something like 65F-70F.  I'm finding that with the MK3 extruder, I tend to get filament jams if I leave it running at that temp, but it was better with the acrylic extruder.   If I preheat the inside and then turn it off when I start the print, it will be ok.  If the room is 55-60F I can keep it on.  Otherwise some kind of airflow adjustment might make it possible to control the temp somewhat.

Here is my case, which has an attachment for the duct - http://www.thingiverse.com/thing:34754

These are now $27 on Amazon (free shipping) but I picked one up at my local Wal-Mart yesterday for $15.

What heater exactly do you have for the case? and what ambient temp are you aiming for? We would love to keep our ABS parts form warping.

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B003XD … 04_s00_i00

It's only about 6" high and I use a 3" flexible duct to run it to the case.  It will get the inside to about 55C if the room is something like 65F-70F.  I'm finding that with the MK3 extruder, I tend to get filament jams if I leave it running at that temp, but it was better with the acrylic extruder.   If I preheat the inside and then turn it off when I start the print, it will be ok.  If the room is 55-60F I can keep it on.  Otherwise some kind of airflow adjustment might make it possible to control the temp somewhat.

Here is my case, which has an attachment for the duct - http://www.thingiverse.com/thing:34754

Thanks tealvince.  I have a decent background in making stuff, so I'm pretty sure I can figure it out once I get the thing and really start putting some thought in to it.  I did figure that I would need some sort of metal frame under the plastic housing.  Chances are it will come down to what scraps I can get at work, and what I have laying around the shop.  Your's looks good by the way.  What kind of clearance do you need for the filament over the top?  It looks like about an 1.5"?

It's not in front of me, but I think it's about 2".

I like your design so much it's inspiring me to think about extending the standard frame with some angle iron and pop rivets to encompass the spool holder much like you have designed.

Perhaps I'm stating the obvious, but why not print out your case in olive green ABS?  It would be a great early project.  The design and style seem like they could easily be adapted to support overlapping parts that bolt onto an underlying steel frame, such as a system of straight crossbar members capped by spider-shaped corner pieces at the joints.  Based on what you've designed already, I think it would look great.

You might also consider including a port for ducting in hot air, or ducting out fumes.  I use a miniature space heater to keep the ambient up inside the case, especially since I am sometimes printing in a garage that is 48F.  Just make sure that air cannot blow directly on the build platform.  ABS loves heat but hates convection.

What heater exactly do you have for the case? and what ambient temp are you aiming for? We would love to keep our ABS parts form warping.

A few suggestions:

- the outside does not get that warm so I think you would be ok with the PVC or wood.  You could also try fiberglass over styrofoam or carbon fiber.

- the center of gravity even with a full spool is a few inches in from the edge of the frame.

- I recommend incorporating steel reinforcement in the handle that is bolted to the frame because the full unit is pretty hefty and steel would give a bit more peace of mind. 

I added acrylic and a handle to my own unit.  You can see the location here:

http://www.soliforum.com/misc.php?actio … mp;preview

You might also consider including a port for ducting in hot air, or ducting out fumes.  I use a miniature space heater to keep the ambient up inside the case, especially since I am sometimes printing in a garage that is 48F.  Just make sure that air cannot blow directly on the build platform.  ABS loves heat but hates convection.

Does anyone have the standard dimensions of Solidoodle's filament spools, and the spools by other manufacturers?

What are you going to make the frame from?