Frames: The frames were manufactured in Perspex and secured onto the printer frame using M3 x 5 mm screws and T-nuts (Fig. 4).
Window: These are the mid-sections of the fully enclosed printer that attach to the Perspex frames using M3 x 8 mm screws and nuts (Fig. 4). These pieces were manufactured in Perspex.
Door and Handle: The door was manufactured in Perspex and attached to the one side of the printer frame using two hinges (Fig. 4). A handle was designed and added to the door for ease of use.
Printed corners: The corners were designed in such a way to allow sliding on to the aluminum extrusions without the need for screws (Fig. 5). The corners allowed for complete enclosure of the system (Fig. 5).
Glass lid: A glass lid was designed and manufactured in order to complete the full enclosure of the printer (Fig.6). Six M4 x 5 mm screws and six M4 T-nuts were used to secure the glass into place (two screws on each side). Three additional aluminum extrusions were added to the top of the printer (Fig. 6b) with 10 x 10 x 300 mm dimensions to create additional height and secured onto the existing extrusions using six 3D printed parts and twelve M4 x 5 mm screws and twelve M4 T-nuts (Fig.6). Nine 3D printed pieces were designed to fit into the aluminum extrusions and complete the finished look (Fig.6).
Electronic board box and lid: The Tri-gorilla electronic board was moved to outside the printer and the board box designed to house it. The board box consists of two parts: the box and the lid (Fig. 7). The electronic board was secured in place using two M3 x 10 mm screws and nuts (Fig. 7) and the box then secured onto the side of the printer using two M4 x 5 mm screws and T-nuts (Fig. 7).
Bed platform supports: The platform consists of six separate pieces; designed to hold two 220 mm diameter glass plates, with the top plate designed to hold a standard size petri dish (Fig. 7). The printed pieces were secured onto the printer’s aluminum extrusions using two M3 x 25 mm cap-head screws and two M3 T-nuts per piece (Fig. 7).