i3 Printer Stand
I made these with the intention of them being something I can easily extend/update/modify over time. The upright posts are 16mm diameter wire shelving posts from these shelves (I'm planning to use the wire shelves themselves as a trellis for a different project :) ) and the cross-members are made from 400mm lengths of 2020 extrusions. I chose both of these because the former is well-suited to clamps for things like cameras, sensors, etc. and the 2020 extrusion is just generally good for modular projects.
I have now printed about a dozen parts on each of the printers pictured (and yes, I still have yet to populate the center level of extrusions...seems fine for now ¯\_(ツ)_/¯
They definitely have some compliance to them, but only in modes that thus far don't concern me (mainly some torsional compliance up along the central axis of the stand). I also expect quite a bit of stiffening as I add things like a dry box to the middle tier. I suspect I may have to add some squish back into the printer mounts sometime in the future to keep the printer isolated, but for now I'm actually pretty pleased with how the tower itself is acting as an isolator between the printer and ground.
BOM
- Upright Posts - I used three of the post assemblies from this wire shelving unit.
- "Levels"
- (Qty 3/level) Clamps
- ClampBody.stl and ClampCap.stl - I printed mine from Orange and Black Overture PETG and from this Matte Navy PLA (which I really like the look of, but I don't generally like making long term structural parts from PLA)
- (Qty 4/clamp) m5x10 bhcs and their t-nuts
- (Qty 4/clamp) m4x16 bhcs and their heat sets
- Optional - m5 heat set
- (Qty3/level) 20mmx20mm Aluminum t-slot extrusion - 400mm length
- (Qty 3/level) Clamps
- Printer supports
- (Qty2) Support_Front.stl
- (Qty1) Support_RearL.stl
- (Qty1) Support_RearR.stl
- Printer....
Printed part files:
Corner Clamps
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Each level of the stand uses three of these printed brackets, and three sections of extrusion. I went with 400mm extrusions for these two stands for my Mk3s printers.
The brackets are secured to the extrusion with two m5x10 fasteners on each extrusion. The end cap is secured to the bracket with four m4x16 fasteners in companion heat sets. There is also an additional m5 heat set in between the extrusions, but it is only there as a "might be handy in the future" feature. So up to you as to whether to populate it.
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Printer Supports
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The supports are currently a little over-constrained, but leaving them unfastened from the extrusion has worked fine for me so far.
The rear supports are intended to sit inside of the t-slot extrusion of the i3, and then also behind the cast plate on the back of the printer.
The front supports are just cylindrical posts that sit inside of the front extrusions.
Waste Bin
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A simple waste bin that hangs from 2020 extrusion, intended as a convenient spot for tossing purge lines, brims, and the other assorted scraps/trash that accompany extrusion printing.
Prints without supports and took about 3.5 hours with the attached slicer config (0.6 nozzle), but I should point out that the lettering on my print came outa little lackluster.
I printed mine in Overture clear PETG
Simple Hook
A simple, quick-printing hook for hanging accessories and such from 2020 extrusions. I'm using several of them quite happily on my i3 printer tower.