Printer location  

RE: Printer location

I would put it in a wardrobe.  You will not issue with PETG or PLA.   If you go to more exotic filaments, the enclosure (wardrobe) will be a must.  

RE: Printer location

Hi Chuck, thanks for replying - it's likely to be the more boring stuff to start at least, so that seems good advice, thank you.

RE: Printer location

Posted by: @helenab

Hi all, first post so please forgive me if this is a stupid question!

Just ordered a mini + and I would like advice on a choice of 2 locations for it.

I live in a very hot and humid country and so we have aircon blasting away in all rooms. Temperature is controllable (usually) but there'd be a breeze.

Will this cause an issue if we have the printer un-enclosed?

The alternative would be to put it inside a wardrobe. 

We'll probably be using mostly PLA to start.

Thanks in advance.

 

No matter which filament you print - I would always avoid temperature fluctuations and drafts. this can cause internal tension on the printed part and result in deformation or warping.

RE: Printer location

@karl-herbert

Ahhh great idea - thanks!

RE: Printer location

I first had the printer on my desk next to a window only to be able to have a bit of fresh air coming in the room as to avoid the potential smell. The simple fact a light breeze could come in from the window and on to the print has mad a couple of prints fail. So I would definitely put your printer in a place with out some sort of breeze.

RE: Printer location

@daniele-a - yes this was exactly my worry - but I wasn't sure if I was incorrect as I'm just starting out. Thanks for confirming!

RE: Printer location

If you are new to 3d printing the only offensive smell you might generate would be from ABS filament.  This used to be a common problem but now most users are advised to begin with PLA (sometimes a very faint smell of popcorn) and PETG (no smell unless something is going badly wrong.)  Unless you have  a particular need these two filaments will cover everything for your first year.  Exotic and smelly filaments come later.

Cheerio,

RE: Printer location

@diem - good to know, thanks. It'll probably be just PLA for a while anyway. Luckily it'll be housed in a spare room so smell shouldn't be an issue.

RE: Printer location

@helenab

If you are printing PLA, you only smell a slight sweet smell with come brands.  

RE: Printer location

@cwbullet

- that's a relief. Thanks.

RE: Printer location

@HelenaB: No worries about smells as stated be the others.

As prevention I still prefer to print with a window slightly open (far enough from the printer so no breeze gets there) just in case in 20 years of time someone comes up and says that printing PETG and PLA is cancerogenic. 😓

RE: Printer location

@daniele-a

I'm sure they will. I'll have to experiment I think - the problem is that it can get up to high 40s C and over 70% humidity. Even with AC on and the window open a small amount it quickly becomes uncomfortable!

RE: Printer location

@helenab

If you are sensitive to filament smells (ABS, ASA...), the best solution would be to put the printer in an enclosure and install fans and filters. I have installed a HEPA filter for the incoming and outgoing air on my printer. However, outside temperatures of 40 degrees C. are already the limit value for printing PLA, because this filament softens very quickly and there could be problems with the filament feeding.

wbr,

Karl

RE: Printer location

@karl-herbert

Hi, thanks for responding. No idea yet if I have any sort of sensitivity to the fumes yet. As you say, because of the crazy temperatures here the aircon is on constantly (in summer) thus the constant breeze.

So for the moment I think the wardrobe is the best solution. If we use the printer a lot then perhaps an enclosure as you describe later on. Thanks!