The KSU 3DPECO Rack System
Disciplines
Engineering Education | Manufacturing
Abstract (300 words maximum)
With the KSU 3D Print Center growing at its current pace into the different disciplines, a unique system was needed in order to create a functional ecosystem. The goal was to create a system that could be utilized to house 3D printers within the KSU 3D Printing Ecosystem. The rack system was created to quickly and easily create new 3D print labs or to expand existing ones while staying within a reasonable cost. At the same time the system needed to be easily and efficiently customized for a variety of different 3D Printer makes and models as well as mounting and power. To best accommodate a variety of printers the rack frame can be changed out for different lengths heights or widths. We decided on Husky brand shelving as our frame as they are heavy duty and accommodated our printer models reasonably well. Next, we needed shelves, while we had many options including the stock grating used by the Husky brand racks, we chose MDF board as it was easy to cut and could be used to make shelves for an entire rack. MDF also looked nice and clean and could also easily have holes cut into it to best manage the cables running to and from the printers. To power the printers, we used APC brand surge protectors. For our configuration we used APC surge protectors with 12 outlets and 2 USB outlets. Lastly, the system needed mounting components. These components were used both for mounting and cable management. All the mounting components used were designed for the rack system and its specific components such as for the power supply units. While there will probably be more changes made to this system, right now it is exactly where it needs to be.
Academic department under which the project should be listed
SPCEET - Engineering Technology
Primary Investigator (PI) Name
Randy Emert
The KSU 3DPECO Rack System
With the KSU 3D Print Center growing at its current pace into the different disciplines, a unique system was needed in order to create a functional ecosystem. The goal was to create a system that could be utilized to house 3D printers within the KSU 3D Printing Ecosystem. The rack system was created to quickly and easily create new 3D print labs or to expand existing ones while staying within a reasonable cost. At the same time the system needed to be easily and efficiently customized for a variety of different 3D Printer makes and models as well as mounting and power. To best accommodate a variety of printers the rack frame can be changed out for different lengths heights or widths. We decided on Husky brand shelving as our frame as they are heavy duty and accommodated our printer models reasonably well. Next, we needed shelves, while we had many options including the stock grating used by the Husky brand racks, we chose MDF board as it was easy to cut and could be used to make shelves for an entire rack. MDF also looked nice and clean and could also easily have holes cut into it to best manage the cables running to and from the printers. To power the printers, we used APC brand surge protectors. For our configuration we used APC surge protectors with 12 outlets and 2 USB outlets. Lastly, the system needed mounting components. These components were used both for mounting and cable management. All the mounting components used were designed for the rack system and its specific components such as for the power supply units. While there will probably be more changes made to this system, right now it is exactly where it needs to be.