1 Topic by Rocketman

  • Rocketman
  • Member
  • Offline
  • Registered: 2013-02-02
  • Posts: 568

Topic: Insulating Solidoodle printer?? Lexan??

I am told that my prints are curling being the plastic is cooling down too quickly and I need to keep it much warmer inside until it is done. Someone mentioned using Lexan - polycarbonate sheets. How can these be purchased, will they need to be cut to size, and how can I get them to stick to the frame of the printer? In particular in a way that I can remove the one on the near size so I can clean up after prints. And I should assume nothing needs to be covered on top?

2 Reply by elmoret

  • elmoret
  • Filastruder
  • Offline
  • Registered: 2012-10-11
  • Posts: 6,048

Re: Insulating Solidoodle printer?? Lexan??

Cover the 3 sides and top, 12" x 12" lexan is available at Lowes, HD, McMaster, Amazon, etc. You can attach it with magnets.

Filastruder - the robust, inexpensive filament extruder
E3Dv6 All Metal Hotend - the premier 3D printing hotend

3 Reply by Schieggster

  • Schieggster
  • Member
  • Offline
  • From: Houston, TX
  • Registered: 2013-02-19
  • Posts: 214

Re: Insulating Solidoodle printer?? Lexan??

elmoret wrote:

Cover the 3 sides and top, 12" x 12" lexan is available at Lowes, HD, McMaster, Amazon, etc. You can attach it with magnets.

Not to jack your thread but...

I'm currently setting my print space up so that the spools sit above the printer and feed down through the top, would it be best to leave the top open, or cut a hole in the middle of the Lexan/Plexiglass/whatever I use...

4 Reply by satman49

  • satman49
  • Member
  • Offline
  • From: virginia
  • Registered: 2012-12-28
  • Posts: 867

Re: Insulating Solidoodle printer?? Lexan??

I have a SD3 . I noticed that the Y carriage ends protrude slightly beyond the case frame, so I can't attach a cover of any kind.
If I did  the Y carriage would drag against what ever I used. Anybody else with a SD3 notice that?

SD3, E3D hotend,linear bearing on x/y axis',pillow block bearing on y conneting rod, ball bearngs on front y axis, fan on y stepper motor.

5 Reply by elmoret

  • elmoret
  • Filastruder
  • Offline
  • Registered: 2012-10-11
  • Posts: 6,048

Re: Insulating Solidoodle printer?? Lexan??

Yes you can, use magnets to space the lexan out.

Filastruder - the robust, inexpensive filament extruder
E3Dv6 All Metal Hotend - the premier 3D printing hotend

6 Reply by Diecrusher (edited by Diecrusher 2013-03-04 17:47:07)

  • Diecrusher
  • Member
  • Offline
  • Registered: 2012-09-11
  • Posts: 93

Re: Insulating Solidoodle printer?? Lexan??

I am using clear, plastic dinnerware that I bought from a local party store which dishes out nicely on the sides so as to add extra clearance for the carriage, etc. 

I used custom printed clips to easily attach-detach them to the SD frame.

I am planning to upload the design and share on thingiverse shortly......  I will add pictures also.....

7 Reply by cmetzel

  • cmetzel
  • Member
  • Offline
  • From: Solidoodle2 #0091
  • Registered: 2012-08-22
  • Posts: 1,429

Re: Insulating Solidoodle printer?? Lexan??

http://www.soliforum.com/topic/1306/cus … osure-mod/

Cheap and effective way, scale it up to suit if you have an SD3

8 Reply by RGargus

  • RGargus
  • Member
  • Offline
  • Registered: 2012-10-25
  • Posts: 176

Re: Insulating Solidoodle printer?? Lexan??

satman49 wrote:

I have a SD3 . I noticed that the Y carriage ends protrude slightly beyond the case frame, so I can't attach a cover of any kind.
If I did  the Y carriage would drag against what ever I used. Anybody else with a SD3 notice that?

Yes, mine does too.  I have been tilting my side panel out slightly at the bottom, but streaks on the inside of the cover show that I am not always consientious about my adjustment, but it seems not to bother the movement of the head when the panel touches it.

9 Reply by cmetzel

  • cmetzel
  • Member
  • Offline
  • From: Solidoodle2 #0091
  • Registered: 2012-08-22
  • Posts: 1,429

Re: Insulating Solidoodle printer?? Lexan??

If you use a hinged panel it will stick out about 1/8" due to the nature of the hinge.  I use foam tape to seal mine off but this would be perfect for you then to give yourself extra clearance for the Y carriage.

10 Reply by paeltz

  • paeltz
  • Member
  • Offline
  • Registered: 2012-10-18
  • Posts: 71

Re: Insulating Solidoodle printer?? Lexan??

I just posted a link in the Hacks and Mods section of what I did.  I used magnets, foam, and plexiglass and it cost me around $30.

11 Reply by Rocketman

  • Rocketman
  • Member
  • Offline
  • Registered: 2013-02-02
  • Posts: 568

Re: Insulating Solidoodle printer?? Lexan??

Schieggster wrote:
elmoret wrote:

Cover the 3 sides and top, 12" x 12" lexan is available at Lowes, HD, McMaster, Amazon, etc. You can attach it with magnets.

Not to jack your thread but...

I'm currently setting my print space up so that the spools sit above the printer and feed down through the top, would it be best to leave the top open, or cut a hole in the middle of the Lexan/Plexiglass/whatever I use...

Thanks. This was the obvious question that I was going to ask next.

12 Reply by Rocketman

  • Rocketman
  • Member
  • Offline
  • Registered: 2013-02-02
  • Posts: 568

Re: Insulating Solidoodle printer?? Lexan??

Should I assume the link to the photos were using Lexan? Is that tiny hole in the top large enough for the filament to feed in smoothly? It seems like it would be asking for it to get a kink?

13 Reply by paeltz

  • paeltz
  • Member
  • Offline
  • Registered: 2012-10-18
  • Posts: 71

Re: Insulating Solidoodle printer?? Lexan??

Rocketman wrote:

Should I assume the link to the photos were using Lexan? Is that tiny hole in the top large enough for the filament to feed in smoothly? It seems like it would be asking for it to get a kink?

If you are talking about my design I believe it was Lexan but the link is provided.  Also the hole is plenty large and actually has helped my spool from getting tangled on larger prints.

14 Reply by Rocketman

  • Rocketman
  • Member
  • Offline
  • Registered: 2013-02-02
  • Posts: 568

Re: Insulating Solidoodle printer?? Lexan??

paeltz wrote:
Rocketman wrote:

Should I assume the link to the photos were using Lexan? Is that tiny hole in the top large enough for the filament to feed in smoothly? It seems like it would be asking for it to get a kink?

If you are talking about my design I believe it was Lexan but the link is provided.  Also the hole is plenty large and actually has helped my spool from getting tangled on larger prints.


Cool. Did you only use magnets or did you actually drill holes in the frame to get the magnets or hinges in places? I'd prefer the less abrasive method if possible. What thickness was the Lexan and how much space can be allowed between the sheets and the frame to insure it works well to keep the heat in?

15 Reply by paeltz

  • paeltz
  • Member
  • Offline
  • Registered: 2012-10-18
  • Posts: 71

Re: Insulating Solidoodle printer?? Lexan??

Rocketman wrote:
paeltz wrote:
Rocketman wrote:

Should I assume the link to the photos were using Lexan? Is that tiny hole in the top large enough for the filament to feed in smoothly? It seems like it would be asking for it to get a kink?

If you are talking about my design I believe it was Lexan but the link is provided.  Also the hole is plenty large and actually has helped my spool from getting tangled on larger prints.


Cool. Did you only use magnets or did you actually drill holes in the frame to get the magnets or hinges in places? I'd prefer the less abrasive method if possible. What thickness was the Lexan and how much space can be allowed between the sheets and the frame to insure it works well to keep the heat in?


I did not drill or stick anything to the case that couldn't easily be removed.  The Lexan was .08 inches.  See my link here to print out the parts and see how to cut your sheet of Lexan.

http://www.soliforum.com/topic/1588/my- … enclosure/

I used 6 magnets on each of the three sides to hold the doors on (total of 18).  Each side has two  printed magnet holders and two brackets.  Two magnets go directly on the case and one in the magnet holder on the other side of the Lexan.  If you need help let me know and I may put some better directions on the thread.

16 Reply by Rocketman

  • Rocketman
  • Member
  • Offline
  • Registered: 2013-02-02
  • Posts: 568

Re: Insulating Solidoodle printer?? Lexan??

cmetzel wrote:

http://www.soliforum.com/topic/1306/cus … osure-mod/

Cheap and effective way, scale it up to suit if you have an SD3


Cool. Did you only use magnets or did you actually drill holes in the frame to get the magnets or hinges in places? I'd prefer the less abrasive method if possible. What thickness was the Lexan and how much space can be allowed between the sheets and the frame to insure it works well to keep the heat in?

17 Reply by Rocketman

  • Rocketman
  • Member
  • Offline
  • Registered: 2013-02-02
  • Posts: 568

Re: Insulating Solidoodle printer?? Lexan??

The above was the design I was refering to. Sorry.

18 Reply by solijohn

  • solijohn
  • Member
  • Offline
  • Registered: 2012-08-07
  • Posts: 1,465

Re: Insulating Solidoodle printer?? Lexan??

Rocketman wrote:
cmetzel wrote:

http://www.soliforum.com/topic/1306/cus … osure-mod/

Cheap and effective way, scale it up to suit if you have an SD3


Cool. Did you only use magnets or did you actually drill holes in the frame to get the magnets or hinges in places? I'd prefer the less abrasive method if possible. What thickness was the Lexan and how much space can be allowed between the sheets and the frame to insure it works well to keep the heat in?

Very pretty mod he made there.

Former Solidoodle employee, no longer associated with the company.