I got a 3D printer; Snapmaker 2.0 A250 and flipping the Enclosure
2021-Mar-17, Wednesday 03:55 pmI tried for a long time to avoid taking this step. But increasingly I kept hitting roadblocks in projects that required 3D printed parts. In the past when this happened I would bug friends who had access to 3D printers. But with the rolling lockdowns the community spaces that contains those printers remain closed, and my access to prints was cut off, with no end date. Reluctantly I started researching.
I came across the Snapmaker 2.0, and it impressed me. Firstly, because it is a second generation product, but they are still supporting the first version. And also because while I felt I needed a 3D printer, I wanted a laser cutter. Although long ago I had to accept that I didn't have the space for a CO2 laser machine, and especially not for its exhaust/filtration system. Here was my chance to have a variety of laser cutting to experiment with, without taking up extra space. But with laser cutting, and CNC routing, I would definitely want the enclosure. Which is not small.
I ran around measuring every shelf I have and realised I still didn't have anywhere to put this machine. Until Ikea begun to offer a Bror shelving unit. The shelf depth is almost exactly the width of the A250 enclosure. The width is a little longer than the depth of the A250 enclosure, but almost exactly the same as the enclosure with the power module behind it. And it's a workshop shelving unit, made to hold up to 130kg (distributed evenly), which is more than enough for the A250. I made some space to fit the unit, next to an air vent, and placed my order for the shelving unit. I was given a delivery date nearly four weeks later.
The Snapmaker website says orders will be shipped two weeks after being placed. So I ordered one two weeks after the Ikea order so I'd have somewhere to put it. Well. It didn't work out that smoothly. My Snapmaker shipped a month after I placed the order, but that was over lunar new year so I wasn't really surprised. However Ikea delayed my delivery by another month, which means the Snapmaker arrived before I had anywhere to put it.
What was I going to do, wait?! Nope. I built the A250 on the dining room table, surrounded by laundry. I followed the instructions straight forwardly, and started making prints for my projects.
Two weeks later Ikea finally delivered, I assembled the shelving unit, and then set about assembling the enclosure. The catch is that the enclosure (and the A250) are designed to be accessed from the right-hand side. Which for me is a wall. I had to flip everything. I found a reference to someone in the facebook group having done it, but I don't have facebook, so I just gave it my best shot.
( Flipping the Enclosure )
( Flipping the Controller )
Conclusion;
There are some little annoyances, like needing to add foam strips to one of the panels of the Front Folding Door, and having to buy the X-Axis Converter and Cable, but the only real downside is not being able to open one of the panels of the Side Folding Door. If Snapmaker make it possible to get an 48CA BEAM A250-2 and 48CA BEAM A250-1 with the slots and magnets swapped it would be just about perfect. Though I would like a different filament holder solution, and I have yet to attach the Exhaust Duct to the air vent in the wall, but otherwise everything is working lovely.
(Also, I have to say, the presentation of everything was impeccable. The boxes (and bags) were neatly arranged and clearly labelled. The manual was very clear. And everything you need (unless you start modifying things) is included. There is a nice reusable toolbox (with additional adjustable inserts), there is a screwdriver with changeable heads. There is a USB drive. Everything was just so smooth, it was a pleasure.)
I came across the Snapmaker 2.0, and it impressed me. Firstly, because it is a second generation product, but they are still supporting the first version. And also because while I felt I needed a 3D printer, I wanted a laser cutter. Although long ago I had to accept that I didn't have the space for a CO2 laser machine, and especially not for its exhaust/filtration system. Here was my chance to have a variety of laser cutting to experiment with, without taking up extra space. But with laser cutting, and CNC routing, I would definitely want the enclosure. Which is not small.
I ran around measuring every shelf I have and realised I still didn't have anywhere to put this machine. Until Ikea begun to offer a Bror shelving unit. The shelf depth is almost exactly the width of the A250 enclosure. The width is a little longer than the depth of the A250 enclosure, but almost exactly the same as the enclosure with the power module behind it. And it's a workshop shelving unit, made to hold up to 130kg (distributed evenly), which is more than enough for the A250. I made some space to fit the unit, next to an air vent, and placed my order for the shelving unit. I was given a delivery date nearly four weeks later.
The Snapmaker website says orders will be shipped two weeks after being placed. So I ordered one two weeks after the Ikea order so I'd have somewhere to put it. Well. It didn't work out that smoothly. My Snapmaker shipped a month after I placed the order, but that was over lunar new year so I wasn't really surprised. However Ikea delayed my delivery by another month, which means the Snapmaker arrived before I had anywhere to put it.
What was I going to do, wait?! Nope. I built the A250 on the dining room table, surrounded by laundry. I followed the instructions straight forwardly, and started making prints for my projects.
My very first 3D print
Photo by ![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
chebe
Two weeks later Ikea finally delivered, I assembled the shelving unit, and then set about assembling the enclosure. The catch is that the enclosure (and the A250) are designed to be accessed from the right-hand side. Which for me is a wall. I had to flip everything. I found a reference to someone in the facebook group having done it, but I don't have facebook, so I just gave it my best shot.
( Flipping the Enclosure )
Enclosure assembled
Photo by chebe
( Flipping the Controller )
Conclusion;
There are some little annoyances, like needing to add foam strips to one of the panels of the Front Folding Door, and having to buy the X-Axis Converter and Cable, but the only real downside is not being able to open one of the panels of the Side Folding Door. If Snapmaker make it possible to get an 48CA BEAM A250-2 and 48CA BEAM A250-1 with the slots and magnets swapped it would be just about perfect. Though I would like a different filament holder solution, and I have yet to attach the Exhaust Duct to the air vent in the wall, but otherwise everything is working lovely.
(Also, I have to say, the presentation of everything was impeccable. The boxes (and bags) were neatly arranged and clearly labelled. The manual was very clear. And everything you need (unless you start modifying things) is included. There is a nice reusable toolbox (with additional adjustable inserts), there is a screwdriver with changeable heads. There is a USB drive. Everything was just so smooth, it was a pleasure.)
