Why Your 3D Printers Need Enclosure?

by Castl Williamseo Business

Many 3D printers are engineered with an open design that does not enclose printer with any walls. This minimizes the cost and size but does limit the capability of the printer. If you are printing with PLA material, then printing in an open printer is fine. But if you are printing with ABS polycarbonate or any other filament that curls as it cools, then an enclosure is going to be a major improvement to the print quality.

3D printer enclosure offers many benefits that include

1. Working temperature is maintained while printing: As 3D printers are open on the sides, air currents can take the heat away from the surrounding area of the object, accelerating the temperature variation and cooling the object very fast. The issue is known as warping and is more likely to happen while using Nylon or ABS. Industrial Enclosure contain most of the heat and reduce the sudden temperature change during printing process and prevent warping in total.

2. Increases the print quality: By maintaining the most stable conditions it can be ensured dimensions achieved will be those desired as there will not be rapid temperature changes that can shrink the plastics.

3. Helps control harmful gases: Some materials like ABS will release harmful gases and toxic particles during printing that could affect the health. Enclosures keep most of the emissions inside the enclosed space during the printing process. Installing ventilation system in the workplace help to extract these gases outside.

4. Protects 3D printers from humidity: Moisture is one of the worst enemies of 3D printing. When the pool of printing material gets wet it become brittle and tough to use. When using an enclosed printer, humidity in the environment do not affect the object as it is in a controlled environment.

5. Minimizes heat loss from bed: The heated bed converts electrical energy to heat. Some plastics like PLA or TPU may not need the bed to be hot but it is a must when using ABS or other demanding printing materials. 3D printing enclosures prevents the heat from spreading into the entire room.

6. Aids in cleaning: Dust accumulates in almost any part of the 3D printers. Cleaning the printers on regular basis avoids short circuits and improves its efficiency and this task is much easier on enclosed printers.

Wrap up

3D printers with enclosures definitely have a lot more benefits like temperature control, confining harmful gases and many more.