Where to set up 3D printer?

[Joshua Gold]

Hello!

I have my xyz 3D printer sitting next to me.  Its about 7º outside right now and we are in modulars for another year+.  So, any suggestions on how I can set up my 3D printer so I don't hurt the whole student body?  I could blow a fan on it toward the window, but pretty sure that would interrupt the extruder from being hot enough and consistent?

Thanks!

[Clint Johns]

By hurt, are you referring to fumes? or hurt as in a distraction in the middle of instruction?

Most 3D printers do not emit fumes that are at a high enough concentration that are noticeable at any distance, unless your printer is not enclosed. In that case, building an enclosure cube would be the easiest solution so that 1) you reduce fume diffusion in the classroom and 2) you maintain a uniform temperature within the build plate region so maximize build success.

Continued success in all you do,

Clint Johns | Sacred Heart Schools, Atherton | CS / Robotics Teacher
150 Valparaiso Avenue | Atherton, CA 94027

650.454.1463 | cjo...@shschools.org

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[Joshua Gold]

Hello,

 It is the fumes.  the first time I printed was in the summer in my classroom and I got a nice head ache :)  There are a bunch of venting holes in this printer.  If I make a container to put it in will it overheat?  

Thanks!

On Thursday, January 8, 2015 10:58:53 AM UTC-5, Clint Johns wrote:

By hurt, are you referring to fumes? or hurt as in a distraction in the middle of instruction?

Most 3D printers do not emit fumes that are at a high enough concentration that are noticeable at any distance, unless your printer is not enclosed. In that case, building an enclosure cube would be the easiest solution so that 1) you reduce fume diffusion in the classroom and 2) you maintain a uniform temperature within the build plate region so maximize build success.

Continued success in all you do,

Clint Johns | Sacred Heart Schools, Atherton | CS / Robotics Teacher
150 Valparaiso Avenue | Atherton, CA 94027

650.454.1463 | 

[Clint Johns]

They shouldn't overheat (I'm using ABS filament at 230 C in an enclosure for my Makerbot 2X replicator).

Continued success in all you do,

Clint Johns | Sacred Heart Schools, Atherton | CS / Robotics Teacher
150 Valparaiso Avenue | Atherton, CA 94027

650.454.1463 | cjo...@shschools.org

To view this discussion on the web visit https://groups.google.com/d/msgid/k-12-fablabs/62ac23df-d082-404a-94da-7afe8806a54d%40googlegroups.com.

[Joshua Gold]

Would thin acrylic with a wood frame work?  

[Sam Schickler]

Yes, that is what we use on our Makerbot

Sam Schickler

BPC Maker Club

[Erin McNally]

I hadn't heard that you needed to enclose a 3D printer.. interesting. I have a MakerBot Replicator 2x that looks enclosed.. By that I mean it already has plexiglass 'windows,' a door (which doesn't tightly close) and a clear plastic 'roof.' Would you all recommend putting it inside something else.. to be safe? 

Does anyone have pictures they could upload?

[Joshua Gold]

I actually went ahead and printed yesterday without a case.  5 hour print with 2 windows open.  No one in the building complained at all.  So, for now I am not going to spend money on a case :)

[Sharon Guillory]

Have you considered switching over to PLA?  That plastic is plant-based, not bad-for-you,  and much of it actually has a sweet smell when printing.  It also doesn't require a heated bed, so in a cold building, there's less bed heat-up time to get through. 

Otherwise, it's good practice to put up some draft barriers around your printer so cool air doesn't flow across your print bed and prematurely cool/harden your filament. This can cause lamination problems either within the printed object or between the object and the print bed. Enclosing the printer probably won't cause overheating.  Just make sure the electronics have adequate air.

Sharon

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[Sam Schickler]

No, if it is in a plexiglass case it should be fine. The plexiglass is just used to keep the temperature from fluctuating by keeping the air the same. This helps stop the ABS from peeling up and contains the fumes. These are pictures of what we use on our Makerbot Dual.

[Christine Mytko]

Joshua, I presume when you say "hurt the whole student body" you are referring to fumes or ultra fine particles?  Many people refer to the study that came out in 2013.  I wrote a post about it earlier: http://talesofa3dprinter.blogspot.com/2013/07/emissions-from-3d-printer-are-they.html

I still have never had a student complain about fumes, and it runs most of the day.  However, I am in a California classroom.  Though we do not have in-room ventilation, the weather is mild enough (and the kids stinky enough) that I generally leave the windows open.  I don't know if I can extrapolate my experience to a cold-weather, enclosed portable.  A quick search of "venting 3D printer" reveals many options. 

Christine  

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[Christopher Murphy]

I've definitely gotten some headaches while printing ABS in a closed classroom. I built a plexi and plywood enclosure and it has really cut down on the smell. It was quick and easy and actually provides a nice shelf for the filament to live.

Christopher Murphy

Shop Teacher

Far Brook School

fbsshop.wordpress.com

[Diego Fonstad]

Switching to PLA should significantly reduce odor but some of the older machines require some significant tinkering to make them work with PLA.  I have two Thing-O-Matics with updated print heads but they are sitting idle because I don't have the time or energy to fine tune the settings for PLA... has anyone gone through this and if so, would you be willing to share your settings?

I also wonder if putting in some kind of odor sink (loose activated carbon or carbon filter http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B000U204W2) would help.

On Thu, Jan 15, 2015 at 4:47 AM, Christopher Murphy <christoph...@gmail.com> wrote:

I've definitely gotten some headaches while printing ABS in a closed classroom. I built a plexi and plywood enclosure and it has really cut down on the smell. It was quick and easy and actually provides a nice shelf for the filament to live.

On Thursday, January 8, 2015 at 10:42:21 AM UTC-5, Joshua Gold wrote:

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[Joshua Gold]

I have the davinci 1.0 from XYZprinting.  Inexpensive, but great little machine.  I am pretty sure their filament is DRM'd but have read "hacks" for that and would be interested in using PLA if possible.

With my 2 windows open I definitely have a mild headache after a full day in my room with printer running.

On Thursday, January 8, 2015 at 10:42:21 AM UTC-5, Joshua Gold wrote:

[Joseph Chiu]

I went through the ABS to PLA transition process myself.  What I've found to help with PLA on the ToM is to take a desk fan and set it on low, a few feet away from the printer, and then let cool air through the ToM.  Change your filament setting, too, so that you're running about 15% less E distance compared to ABS if you're using a slicer that does not automatically adjust the flow for the material type.  Switching to a MK8 nozzle could help, but I didn't have to do it as long as I have that cooling airflow going.  

I eventually got a higher CFM 40mm fan to replace the one that I had previously -- after doing that, the ToM could print PLA even without the desk fan.

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