Flood Coolant Enclosure

[Mini Beast]

Thanks! In picture 4, you can see where lag screws go through the frame and into the ends of the fiberglassed 2x10. I did a couple of flying elbows onto it afterwards, and it is rock solid!

I figure I might have to patch some leaks when I test it. I actually had to cut a gasket to add to the drain because the tub material is thinner than what the drain is designed for and it wouldn't make a tight seal.

[SpeedsCustom]

Didn't realize, but it looks good.


-Jason

[Mini Beast]

Progress update

1. Enclosure built around the stand. Also, added a bottom shelf for the coolant resevoir.

2. The doors

3. First coat of paint

[SpeedsCustom]

Wow, what a fantastic job you have done. Looks super awesome, I still have some features that I need to add to my enclosure, very excited about it.


Looking great.

[Mini Beast]

Thanks, Speeds

I've been considering your design and the benefit of passing the fluid slowly through the filters. It makes sense to me now. I've already bought the parts washer and installed the shower drain, but I have a new idea for filtering that might work using some paint strainers. Hopefully, it works out good. If not, I might go back and add a slanted tray like you have and just put it under the shower drain.

[SpeedsCustom]

I have been running coolant flood for over a year now and the filter system is top-notch.


Can't wait to see finished enclosure.


-Jason

[Mini Beast]

Christmas was awesome... back to the project

This is the filter/pump system I came up with. I have no idea if it will work or not, but we will find out soon enough. Let me know what you think.

pics:
1. The only mods I did to the parts cleaner were to cut a hole in the lid and put a different fitting on the pump.
2. I used 2 paint strainers. A bucket type with plastic walls and a bag type with an elastic opening.
3. The bag type (which has a finer mesh) fits nicely around the bucket type. Notice the shelf on the parts washer has ridges, which I hope will allow fluid to easily run out the bottom of the strainers (hopefully a similar benefit to speedscustom's design).
4. A perfect fit! I put a 'drip loop' in the tubing, since I plan to run it directly up and out of the shower drain .
5. The entire system is about $85, using all new and readily available parts. It could probably be done cheaper, but I'll be really thrilled if it works good considering how easy it was to put together.

[Vermiculite]

I am impressed with some of the setups you guys have. I am in the process of flood cooling my Taig at the moment. I am keeping it pretty simple: plastic tub, pond pump, bucket etc... I was going to make a filter out of a bucket and some filter foam but I like the use of the paint strainers (I will check my hardware store). I have ordered a loc-line hose and I am going to make a manifold so I can run coolant or air from my compressor. My pump is 12v and I should be able to control it with mach3 without playing with mains voltage. If the coolant splashes around too much I will make it a shower curtain. Not pretty but I hope it will work. Please ignore my untidiness, my shed is still a bit of a mess.

[awetmore]

What tricks are used to keep coolant from getting into the motors? It seems like there would be a fair amount of liquid flying around with some of these setups.

[Vermiculite]

I drew up some plans to make a splash cover for the x and y stepper motors out of some aluminium sheet. Pretty simple, any splashes drip back into the tub. I have seen others do similar things though there are probably some better ideas out there.

[ChrisPDX]

What tricks are used to keep coolant from getting into the motors? It seems like there would be a fair amount of liquid flying around with some of these setups.

I made a quick and dirty stepper cover using a gallon milk jug for the x-axis and a 1/2 gallon (chocolate) milk jug for the y-axis (the smaller jug on the y-axis is for clearance) . Just cut off the bottom off the jug (or maybe leave it on if you have room), then cut along the side opposite and parallel to the handle so that it can be slipped over the stepper. The spout ends up gripping along the threaded mount for the stepper mounts. Hold everything together with zip ties, etc. Of course with this setup the bottom of the jug has a slit along it, but all fluid should just run down the side and drip to the table. My coolant system isn't quite flood so YMMV, but the milk jugs do a good job and are about as simple as you can get. You can also look around and probably find another type of fluid container that works better.

The other thing to consider is your wiring--make sure fluid can't work its way into any exposed wiring.

-Chris

[Mini Beast]

Finally finished... with this phase.