I love my Flashforge Creator Pro except for one ergonomic problem, when I stand next to it I simply cannot see the display because it is too low and is vertical. I need either to step back or bend down. Not anymore. This design provide a 45% slanted front panel that allows to see the display well from any distance.
Design goals:
- Ergonomic front panel.
- Non destructive. FF can always be brought back to its original configuration.
- Can be printed on the FF itself.
The design is provided here 'as is'. It works for me very well but may need a little bit tweaking, for example for more accurate PCB screw positions.
Here are assorted notes from my build:
- I printed using ABS and support material from bed only. 4 shell layers, 20%, PEI bed, Simplify3D.
- I printed using white ABS, then post processed it (mostly scraping with a Stanley blade to clean up) and then painted a few layers of Krylon flat black spray paint.
- You need to get or build wire extenders for the two connectors. These are standard 0.1" mail/female dupont connectors/headers.
- I chose not to have the buttons lighted so didn't connect the bottom wire of the buttons PCB (if you do the same, you can also not connect the top 5 pins which are the leds wires).
- I used M3 threaded inserts that I pushed with a solder iron (let the heat to the job, don't push too hard). They are available from McMaster or ebay (search for knurled threaded inserts M3).
- One downside of this design is that when you stand very very close to the printer you can see a reflection of the LCD in the clear door of the FF. If it bothers you, you can cover the bottom of the door with a blue painter tape.
- To access the electronic box you need to remove the door and the black front panel of the FF. There are a few M3 black screws around the front and two smaller screws in the front toward the bottom of the printer.
- The PCBs are mounted with M3 x 5mm cap head screws.
Overall
Category: 3D Printer Parts