External heater
I am new to 3d printing. Wunder if anyone has experience with external heat source. I am considering setting up one or two infrared lamps, directed onto the bed from different angels to be able to print without a cabinet.
Considerations: Heat to bearings and gears might wear out grease. Metal expand with temperature, this might lead to malfunction, misalignment or degration. Plastic parts on the printer, which is PETG and gets soften around 85 degrees, might be a problem.
Ofcourse the light has to only hit the bed as much as possible but it will inevitably also at least hit the printer head. Is infrared or any strong light source a good approach?
Any suggestions are highly appreaciated.
RE: External heater
Why not simply use a large cardboard box over the printer?
regards Joan
I try to make safe suggestions,You should understand the context and ensure you are happy that they are safe before attempting to apply my suggestions, what you do, is YOUR responsibility. Location Halifax UK
RE: External heater
What material(s) are you going to be printing?
RE: External heater
Why I do not set a cardboard box over the printer. 2 reasons. I cant see what is going on, and the PSU needs cooling. I actually considered a clear plastic bag with a cutout for the PSU. But I happen to have a IR lamp and just liked the convenience in this setup.
RE:
@ fabnavigator
I have to make a very sturdy / stiff part which can also handle some temperature. Happen to have PETG, ABS, ASA and PC Blend (PC Blend = nozzle 285 and bed 120 degrees). Would love to make it out of PC Blend but I am a beginner and might opt for ASA.
RE: External heater
The most critical factor for printing ABS/ASA without warping is imho avoiding air drafts and keeping an environment around the printer with a constant temperature. The suggestion by Joan to use a big cardboard box over the printer would be much more effective for this than using infrared heaters which would not prevent air drafts and could even increase them when the heated air rises up. A cardboard box would also be less harmful for the printed parts on the printer. Even using a makeshift scaffolding with some bin liners would work for this. If you want to print with these filaments more often an enclosure would be a good choice. I would separate the PSU from the printer and use a fan on the electronics box of the printer to avoid damaging the electronics with the higher temps and to increase longevity of those parts.
RE: External heater
In addition to the print quality, I think an enclosure (with an exhaust or filter) is a good idea to isolate you from the fumes that are released when you print those materials.