I had enormous fun creating this in shapr3d (my first project) and printing on a Bambulab P1S.
It involved lots of fine-tuning and many “takes” to ensure the components fitted as tightly as possible.
I had enormous fun creating this in shapr3d (my first project) and printing on a Bambulab P1S.
It involved lots of fine-tuning and many “takes” to ensure the components fitted as tightly as possible.
Nice design. I am about to embark on a few of cases myself.
FYI Prusa now makes a “Self extinguishing” filament suitable for electronic designs/ cases.
Self extinguishing ABS has been around for some time for injection molding and out of experience it is a must for electronic case designs as a min requirement for safety.
Prusa’s filament tolerance should be good enough for Bambu.
So what I’ve learned is that PLA is not suitable for a case this size! One of the top panels has warped with the heat of the NVIDIA heatsink/fan.
So I need a tougher plastic if I’m to keep the same compact size. I’m currently looking at Bambulab PC as it seems relatively easy to use and has much higher heat resistance. I can’t use things like ABS as I don’t have the great ventilation where the printer is.
PETG might work for you. It prints at a higher temp than PLA. Approximate temps are 235°C nozzle and 70°-80° for the bed. Other’s have used different temps which also work just fine. You’ll need to use a glue stick if printed on PEI bed. No need if printed on a textured PEI like what Prusa offers. I’ve had good luck with PETG and have used it as a replacement for ABS. Yes, not the same specs as ABS but close enough for my use
Thanks - according to this PETG heat resistance is certainly better than PLA (69 degrees C vs 57) but maybe that’s still not enough headroom, I’m not too sure.
I’ve read where the glass transition temperature for PETG is around 80°- 85°C.
You might consider ColorFabb’s nGen filament- 85°C glass trans temp. I’ve used it with good results (not for heat resistance, but for quality and durability).
Prusa PETG VO… which is now UL certified. Designed for electronic cases.
I’m not yet confident with trying non-Bambulab filaments, not familiar enough with the various manual settings I would need to use rather than the automated system used for their own filaments.
Well, IMO Prusa has a tighter tolerance than most filaments out there. Most advertise at +/-.03mm where Prusa is a strict +/-.02mm.
I use Prusa’s default settings for most off brand filaments, e.g. Prusament PLA or PETG setting, with great success. I use many colors from multiple vendors with only one or 2 stringy filaments that were off brand I wouldn’t use again.
I worked for an electronics company 16yrs doing prototyping for gas appliance controls for RV appliances from schematic/ PCB to product case.
We used Self extinguishing ABS in all of our cases and it payed off when we got dragged into a lawsuit that burnt a RV and the barn it was in down to the ground.
IMO you should use nothing but self extinguishing plastics or metal for any electronics.
I see - I’m curious, is this what most consumer electronics are made from then?
If I go into a store and buy a mini PC with a plastic case, what is likely made from?
Presumably not PLA as it would be liable to warp.
ABS is most common. Expense, easy to work with etc. Has a slightly higher working temp than PTEG. I think it’s about 220f vs PETG at about 205f. But it’s smelly to print. Kinda bad for you too. Plastic Electrical Enclosures | A Guide to Plastic Electronic Enclosures - A&C Plastics
I washed some parts I made out of PLA under the sink. You can form them easily at 130f. Not suitable for Arizona summer weather.
Yep, I have to avoid ABS for those reasons. Bambu’s ASA seemed a possible alternative, as does PC.
The latter two are the options I’m going to try this week, but perhaps I should research this Prusa PETG VO a little more and figure out what settings I would need for my Bambu printer.
Your case design looks nice. Does Bambu have powder coated build plates? They put a really nice texture on things.
They do have a Texturesld PEI plate yes, looks good although with this case due to wanting to avoid the need for support when printing not all external surfaces benefit from it.