Getting the perfect 3D printing quality depends on many factors, the temperature is one of the main ones. Based on this, many people wonder whether you can 3D print in a cold or hot room. This article is going to answer exactly that so you have a better idea of your 3D printing capabilities.
You can 3D print in a cold or hot room as long as your 3D printer has the proper conditions, such as a constant printing temperature and the right kind of materials. If you try to 3D print ABS in a cold room, you are likely to run into massive warping problems, while PLA could be pulled off.
There are many more details that need to be discussed to get the real answer on 3D printing in a cold or hot room. Keep on reading to find out some key information on this topic.
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Can You 3D Print in a Cold Room or Cold Weather?
Monitoring temperature while printing is one important step you need to ensure. It can be hard to print in a cold environment hence you need to carefully monitor your environmental temperature while printing.
Different print materials require different optimum temperatures. When you print with ABS, you should keep the entire build area fairly hot to prevent warping. However, PLA is not as meticulous as ABS.
Which means that you can get some 3D prints in a relatively cold environment if you are printing with PLA. Users started to see printing issues with PLA at temperatures below 59°F (15°C).
The main thing you have to control is temperature fluctuations because large changes in temperature can definitely mess a print up. Warping occurs because print layers are cooling down too quickly, meaning they contract too much.
This is when you see corners of your print start to curl away from the print bed, which is bad for print quality and can even lead to prints getting knocked over because it decreases bed adhesion.
Once you control for temperature fluctuations, 3D printing in a cold room isn’t impossible, but it can definitely be difficult. I’m sure there are certain temperatures which are just too cold to operate successfully.
It will come down to how good your power supply is and your heated bed part’s ability to generate enough power to overcome the cooler environment.
Check out this video by Uncle Jessy who actually 3D printed outside in the snow to test out the theory!
Can You Resin 3D Print in a Cold Room?
Yes, it is possible to resin 3D print in a cold room if you keep in mind a few pointers. The resin won’t completely harden if the temperature falls too low if you ensure your workplace temperature stays stable at 75°F (24°C) and doesn’t fall below around the 68°F (20°C) mark.
The operating temperature for a Formlabs resin 3D printer is 64-82°F (18-28°C).
You must ensure your resin is at room temperature if you want it to work fine. Try to keep your workplace temperature stable and make sure humidity level is not above 50 per cent.1
Hence, it is quite possible to get resin 3D print if you ensure a few important steps. By avoiding any temperature fluctuations and high humidity levels, it is possible to get resin 3D print in a cold room.
Cold is actually ideal for storing your resin because the lower temperatures reduce chemical reactions which mature the resin. Warming up your resin before use will get it going. Some resin shouldn’t be stored in environments which are too cool though.
You want to try avoiding storing your resin in temperatures below 50°F (10°C) or above 140°F (60°C).
Constant temperature is essential for successful prints. Temperature also has effects on how well your resin hardens from the light and cures with the help of UV. A high quality resin 3D printer will regulate the temperature inside the machine, as well as the curing chambers.
The Peopoly Maoi offers a heater for their printer which makes it much easier to resin 3D print in a cold environment.
Can You 3D Print in a Hot Room?
Most printing occurs efficiently under a hot environment however there is a certain limitation to the temperature.
To allow a better working environment for the printer if your surroundings are hot is to install efficient cooling fans and even a cooler. For even better temperature regulation you can also place an air conditioner.
PLA is relatively easy to work with and is not that sensitive to temperature changes as compared to ABS.
You just want to make sure you don’t have an extremely hot operating temperature because that can mess up some prints, depending on the material.
Materials with a low glass transition temperature like PLA won’t do very well in a hot environment as it won’t harden in time. If you have strong cooling fans it may be able to print successfully, but it does make it harder.
However, regardless of the filament you use, you need to make sure at all times that the overall room temperature even in a hot room doesn’t exceed above 50 Celsius. Beyond this temperature, your prints can get messy and spoiled.
To allow resin 3D printing in a hot room you must observe consistent temperatures. Consistency in your workplace temperature is the key to perfect your resin printing in a relatively hot environment.
You can improve your resin printing by heating the resin in a water bath before starting the printing process. Most resins work best in the temperature range of 25-30°C.
By decreasing the heated bed temperature and using efficient fans for cooling, you can enable printing in a hot room. You should be able to regulate your temperature around 20°C.
3D Printing in a Hot Garage
Yes, it is possible for you to 3D print in a hot garage but for this, you need to have some accurate climate control facilities. By ensuring control over the operating temperature and its fluctuations you can successfully print in a hot room.
In hot garage temperatures, it shall be unlikely to print in PLA, as that specific temperature is way above its glass transition temperature. This therefore could never let it solidify.
But, for ABS it will be great and would also decrease warping. It will also improve surface finish.
Does Room Temperature Affect 3D Printing?
Regardless of the environment, you are working in, you should at all times, ensure stability in temperature. It is best advised to regulate the temperature around 68°F (20°C).
So, yes, room temperature surely has a huge effect on the printer’s performance, efficiency and longevity. No printer likes to work in an extreme climatic environment, whether it’s too cold or too hot.
Extreme high temperature can result in deformation of parts, whereas the cold temperature may result in warping between the print layers.
What is the Best Ambient Room Temperature for 3D Printing?
Technically speaking, there is no exact ambient room temperature for 3D printing. There isn’t actually an ideal ambient room temperature for the 3D printing. Rather a temperature range is to be kept in mind.
But the most foremost factor to practice is temperature stability. Hence, for good print output and overall performance, it’s best you maintain an optimum room temperature preferably around 62-68°F (17-20°C).
Should I Use a Heater for my Printer Enclosure?
If you are printing in a cold environment, it’s good to use a heater so that the overall workplace temperature is suitable for the printer to work in. Temperatures might fluctuate without a heater and hence spoil your printer’s performance.
So, you should place a heater to avoid the area from getting too cold. Extremely low temperatures can exist without there being no heater and this can result in your nozzle and filament getting spoiled.
How to Winterize your 3D Printer to Print in a Cold Room?
Printers might not be able to work in a very cold area, so you can install heating chambers for better results. It is also advised that you install wireless sensors which can monitor temperature and the humidity changes.
The main thing would be trying to increase your overall temperature in the cold room with a heater, or by using better insulation so the warm air doesn’t escape, and cold air doesn’t come in.
If you are having trouble with this, a heated chamber is going to be a lot more efficient compared to heating the whole room. It can be built out of many materials and there are guides on building DIY heated chambers that you can find on YouTube.
Furthermore, for a better printing experience you can also install carbon filters, and even an exhaust system which can filter out toxic fumes. Although you are working in a cold room, try to avoid your printer’s direct contact with sunlight.
This is suggested because, severe temperature fluctuations can prove to be really disadvantageous for the printer’s overall performance.
Apart from that, it is important that you store your materials and other supplies at room temperature and preferably in a vacuum free space.
Conclusion
Temperature regulation is a key step which can promise you a smooth printing experience. Other than that, the aforementioned guidelines will seem to be very effective if you practice them.
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Michael Dwamena is the founder of 3D Printerly, a platform dedicated to simplifying 3D printing for hobbyists and professionals alike. Owns over 20 3D printers (filament and resin) and has plenty experience 3D printing. Michael has authored over 900 articles, helping millions navigate the exciting world of 3D printing.
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