Makerbot Replicator Enclosure (No Laser Needed)

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Published on July 1, 2012

Description

This is my newly designed and built Makerbot Replicator Enclosure that does not require a laser cutter to make. It can be built using your Makerbot Replicator, a band saw, drill press, and one screw driver for assembly. It uses 1/4 inch thick acrylic plastic for all the clear parts so that it will not sag because it is to light weight for the sizes that are needed. It cost less than half of what it would be to have the parts laser cut for you. The top hood and front window opening are easily removed in seconds without tools so it is simple to access the Makerbot when you want to make adjustments, print a part or remove finished parts.

Instructions

The first step in creating the enclosure is to cut out all of the clear acrylic plastic parts using a band saw and a drill press. The only part that is a little complicated to make is the front window. In the top center of the part is a 1/4 inch radius shown on the drawing for the part. To make this radius first drill a 1/2 inch hole and then mark the rest of the profile per the drawing provided. Do not remove any of the plastic film that is normally on acrylic plastic panels. This protects the part while you are cutting, drilling or sanding edges. It also makes it easier to mark the part as a Sharpie pen works best and the marks will not remain on the part once it is completed when the plastic film is removed just before final assembly.
The complete assembly is put together using a variety of brackets printed on the Makerbot and held together using 10-32 x 1 inch machine bolts and nuts. Forty-two bolts and nuts are required for the assembly. All Makerbot parts have recessed areas for the nuts so no wrench is needed to put the assembly together. Just a screw driver is all you will need. Refer to the parts illustration as to the correct location of each part. The corner mounts #1 and #2 are bolted together first for each corner. The recessed nuts will sit just below the surface of the assembly so it will mount easily onto to the Makerbot Replicator
Take your time with the cutting and drilling as all holes are 1/4 inch which will allow tolerance to be built into the design to allow for correct fit when assembly is underway. All hood panels should sit flush with the top inner surface of the Makerbot so that holes will line up for the bolts to be installed. If the bottom edge of a panel does not sit flush then recut the notches that are in the panels on both ends to clear the mated printed Makerbot corner pieces. This will allow for better alignment of mounting holes in the assembly.
After all acrylic parts have been cut, sand edges smooth using sand paper being careful not to scuff the facing surfaces. The side windows for the Makerbot Replicator are drilled and cut to make the slots for assembly into the Makerbot. To hold these parts in place you will need to print out "Side Panel Clips" by Etrohn found here on Thingiverse. These are quick and easy to print on the Makerbot and easy to install in the assembly. If you should need more information and photos of this build please check out my blog site for more help. Thetinkersworkshop.blogspot.com
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where can I get the drawings for the plexiglass sizes for this?

All the files for the parts that you need to make are in the download including the detailed drawings for the plexi-glass parts.

in the drawing for the side window, at the bottom in the detail, there is a round ended slot with a radius of 1/8" and a diameter of 3/16".  Would you clarify?

Hey Dave - Awesome design. :)

Trying to do this on a CNC router. Do you happen to have the angles of the cuts for the front and side doors?

Thank you sir!

The angles for the front door is 45 degrees on both outer angles with an 80 degree angle for the center "V" in the part. The side doors have a 46.7 degree angle on both sides. I hope this helps. Either way the dimensions that are given in the drawings will give you the same result.

Love your design but I can
’t figure out what’s wrong with the files? I can’t modify them at all? What I mean is I open them in Rep G and rotate and put them on the platform but once I have done so it will not let me save the modified file? I can resave the original but as soon as I move or rotate it I can’t lol. Any
idea why?

The files that I have here are straight ordinary STL files created using ProE software.... and industry standard. I would look into reloading your ReplicatorG software or making sure that your using the latest version. Either of these may be the problem.

Have you tested it for large prints. for example, printing the mexican pliers on thingiverse will cost you over 5 hours to print. Does it overheat due to lack of ventilation on large prints? I'd like to build it if it doesn't overheat. Thanks.

I've ran parts for over three hours and have not had any problems. Seems to work just fine.