Printing ASA - garage printing vs filtering/bentobox
Hi everyone 👋
I recently purchased an MK4, my first 3D printer (love it 🤘). Up until now, I've only used PLA and PETG, but I'm interested in trying ASA. I've heard that ASA produces unpleasant fumes, and although I have an enclosure, it lacks air filtering or ventilation. Technically, it's not fully enclosed since it's open at the back, but I can close it if needed. I also have a window nearby.
Since I don't need to print in ASA frequently, I'm thinking about moving the printer to my garage for those specific jobs to avoid exposure to toxic fumes. Is it okay to do longer print jobs in the garage without any heating or insulation? Do I need to maintain a certain temperature to prevent any damage to the printer?
Alternatively, I'm considering staying indoors and printing ASA within my enclosure, exploring the option of DIY-ing a bentobox or something similar for added safety. One challenge is that an exhaust system doesn't seem possible in the current location of the printer. Any advice or suggestions would be appreciated!
Best regards,
Joachim
Best Answer by Diem:
Cycling the air within the enclosure through a fresh activated charcoal filter and returning the exhaust to the enclosure will deal with most of the fumes, you may need to experiment to find a rate that clears the air without messing with the cooling fans...
Printing in cold environments invites a lot of problems - and ASA is prone to warping if printed in cold air.
Cheerio,
Cycling the air within the enclosure through a fresh activated charcoal filter and returning the exhaust to the enclosure will deal with most of the fumes, you may need to experiment to find a rate that clears the air without messing with the cooling fans...
Printing in cold environments invites a lot of problems - and ASA is prone to warping if printed in cold air.
Cheerio,
RE: Printing ASA - garage printing vs filtering/bentobox
Hi everyone 👋
I recently purchased an MK4, my first 3D printer (love it 🤘). Up until now, I've only used PLA and PETG, but I'm interested in trying ASA. I've heard that ASA produces unpleasant fumes, and although I have an enclosure, it lacks air filtering or ventilation. Technically, it's not fully enclosed since it's open at the back, but I can close it if needed. I also have a window nearby.
Since I don't need to print in ASA frequently, I'm thinking about moving the printer to my garage for those specific jobs to avoid exposure to toxic fumes. Is it okay to do longer print jobs in the garage without any heating or insulation? Do I need to maintain a certain temperature to prevent any damage to the printer?
Alternatively, I'm considering staying indoors and printing ASA within my enclosure, exploring the option of DIY-ing a bentobox or something similar for added safety. One challenge is that an exhaust system doesn't seem possible in the current location of the printer. Any advice or suggestions would be appreciated!
Best regards,
Joachim
ASA is super allergic to even to room temperature drafts, let alone cool or cold one. (ASA and ABS will have absolutely abysmal layer adhesion in cool printing environments, even if you turn part cooling off completely and they might warp badly too) From a fumes perspective the garage would be highly preferable but I would try to get some sort of enclosure for the printer for that task that is fully enclosed, not open in the back or so. It doesn't need to be fancy though.
If you are afraid of damage to the printer it is definitely too cold for printing ASA though. Sounds more like a summer job to me then.
If you print indoors, something like the Bentobox or the Nevermore system is advisable, inside of an enclosure and on top of that I would recommend to keep the window tilted or open during the print, and have it all in a separate room.
Mk3s MMU2s, Voron 0.1, Voron 2.4
RE:
Thank you both for the elaborate and detailed information. I appreciate it greatly. I think I will look towards the indoor solution with internal filtration and ventilate with open windows during print. I will also look into how I would go about with this seperate chamber thing with fans and stuff.
Thanks again and enjoy your weekend.