Whether you're a professional, ardent hobbyist, or just getting started with 3D printing, you've probably come across the term 3D printer enclosure. Many 3D printers do not come with enclosures. However, enclosures are important for safety during the printing process. There are also various ways that having an enclosure can help when using different printing filaments.
Filaments and enclosures
Enclosures such as the Snapmaker 2.0 enclosure are designed to maintain a constant environment for 3D printing. While every filament benefits from using an enclosure, there are specific ways in which each filament sees improvements due to the use of an enclosure.
- PLA
Polylactic Acid filaments are made from natural thermoplastic polyester that is derived from natural or renewable sources such as sugarcane or corn starch. These filaments are therefore biodegradable. You can successfully create your 3D prints using PLA without the need for an enclosure. However, an enclosure will help to keep drafts out of the printing area. It will maintain constant conditions and therefore prevent the warping of the PLA.
- ABS
Acrylonitrile butadiene styrene is a thermoplastic filament. Because of its rigid nature, it has found various applications in engineering and manufacturing. ABS is an especially sensitive filament. The temperatures around it will affect your results greatly. For these reasons, working with ABS requires the use of a heated print bed. Using an enclosure will help to maintain constant temperatures and minimize warping. While the heated printer bed helps to ensure that the print cools at a slow and even pace, it only achieves heating from one direction. The enclosure helps to stabilize the cooling in all directions.
An enclosure is essential when printing using nylon filaments. Nylon is a sensitive filament. Any changes in the environmental temperature can prove detrimental to your prints. If you want success with printing with Nylon, you will need to have an enclosure to protect the filament during the extrusion process. Having an enclosure will also ensure more consistent or reliable results.
- Other flexible filaments
Warping isn't a common issue with flexible filaments. However, you may experience some problems with adhesion between layers. Having an enclosure will help to improve adhesion. This is because the enclosure helps to maintain a constant temperature around the filament during the extrusion process. You will therefore have even results for your final product. Investing in an enclosure will help to improve the quality of your results.
- Polycarbonate
Many people avoid using polycarbonate filaments simply because it is so difficult to use. If you want to give it a try, you will need to have an enclosure in which to work. The enclosure will maintain a stable environment and ensure better results.
Visit Snapmaker's online store to buy an enclosure. You'll also find the best budget 3D printer available on the online store.