I am using Octoprint (https://octoprint.org/) to manage my 3d printer and I bumped into a really nice plugin called “OctoPrint-Enclosure” (https://plugins.octoprint.org/plugins/enclosure/).
I found the functionality brought by this plugin useful as I am myself using and Enclosure for my printer.
The very same person who wrote this plugin, vitormhenrique, posted a thing (https://www.thingiverse.com/thing:2245493) where he was sharing his hardware set up.
At this point I got really scared by the amount of cable swarming everywhere as I am myself trying to keep my “working place” as neat as possible.
So, I started to look around trying to find an all-integrated solution for my enclosure. This is where I found the nice project on hackaday called “Octoshield” (https://hackaday.io/project/172223-octoshield). It is basically a HAT rerouting Raspberry Pi’s GPIO and having all electronics component already assembled (handy). So, you simply need to connect your sensor, your switch, LEDs and other fans to your Raspberry Pi and install the plugin for having everything operational (cool).
Only problem is that you need to build it yourself and because I am not found of soldering tiny things I decided to “subcontract” the production of the HAT to the company mentioned in the Youtube video link of the Hackaday project. This project has been realized by goodwin for which I must give all credit to (good job).
In a nutshell the “Octoshield” HAT allows you to :
Power the raspberry pi with a 12V power input instead of the 5V USB C. To keep things shorts, you must purchase the Printed Circuit Board (or PCB) which is cheap to be honest (You get 5 pieces for 40$ I think). Then you have the possibility either to weld all components by yourself, meaning that you must source all parts yourself, or you have the possibility to ask the PCB company to do it for you (yes!). They will source the components and have them mounted for you. This will cost you an extra 40$. Otherwise, I think you can get all component for 10$.
I am attaching the component list for the HAT, other relevant information to have the HAT built and the details of the purchasing basket I used. The team is friendly, and they will help you build it easily. I must admit my interest in electronic does not go that deep, but you do not really need to know a lot to order the PCB fully assembled.
Once I received my “Octoshields” (I order more than one fully assembled) and after making the different test to have all component working with “OctoPrint-Enclosure” plugin I started designing the case for the Raspberry Pi + Octoshield + All component. As mentioned, before I wanted to have enclosure function all included in a box so to have something compact and neat (bad cables, bad).
For this project, my requirements were as follow (following Octoshield capacities):
Have a temperature + humidity sensor to monitor my enclosure environment.
Mount it to my printer’s frame. I designed a case as compact as possible to be able to fit all component and have opening for every cables.
Mounting instruction are given here below
Rafts:
No
Supports:
No
Resolution:
0.2
Infill:
20
Filament: Any PETG or PLA
Notes:
Mounting instruction:
At this stage before closing the case I advise you to try to power the Raspberry Pi and make your verification. Check with Octoprint if all equipment are running and that you can communicate normally with them. Check also if both 5V fans are running. For the button, an easy way to see if it is working is to program it to turn on and off the Relay in the plugin interface. If all your wiring is nicely done you can :
a. Close the Case A against Case B, pay attention not to pinch any cable. Screw the assembly together with the last four M2.5 12mm screws (13).
b. You can connect your power cable to the relay through the terminal block. I use the NC (Normally Closed = Circuit is powered) and COM ports (left and middle). This way my printer turns on when I power my Raspberry Pi. If I am not wrong, you should use the red or brown cable of the power cord. Note : Fan channel will fit between the Octoshield HAT and the Raspberry Pi, and the fan will be able to blow air in the space between the 2 boards.
Attention : Before using the Octoshield HAT with the Raspberry Pi make sure that the bulk module is properly set and delivers as output more or less 5.15V. You can do this by powering the HAT and checking with a multimeter the tension between the pads show here below. Make sure you do this otherwise you may destroy your Raspberry Pi board.
You are done! Or are you ?
You can now mount the assembled case using four M3 10 mm (17) screws onto you Prusa MK3S frame above the Einsy board.
Category: 3D Printer Accessories
The author marked this model as their own original creation. Imported from Thingiverse.