A Heat Chamber for the M2

[Mike Hunter]

I've been printing with PLA since receiving the M2 this past October, but the time has arrived when I need to start using the ABS I've had sitting in the draw. With all of the forum topics dealing with ABS and its tendencies to warp, split and wreck havoc with novices such as myself, I decided to build a Heat Chamber. I've read that many will use cardboard to isolate the printer from outside influences, but that technique eliminates the visibility of the print.
I have a functional wood shop in the basement and built the frame of the Chamber out of re-purposed wood and used plexiglass. Unfortunately I did not have large enough pieces of plexiglass to fill the sides with a single piece, but future revisions will eliminate that problem. To connect the corners and stabilize the legs to the bench, I printed connectors out of black PLA. I drilled six vent holes in the top to (theoretically) allow me to maintain the temperature in the chamber. I have yet to add a thermometer to the Chamber. These vent holes are sealed with caps made printed from the same PLA. Although the used plexiglass is scratched, the visibility of the printer is excellent. The assembled Chamber weighs approx. 10 pounds and is easily lifted off the printer for part changeover or printer maintenance. When the printer is not in use, the Chamber keeps dust and other contaminants from the printer.

Mike H.

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Corner Connector

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Leg Bases

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The Chamber with Vent Caps

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The Chamber fully vented

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Picture taken through the Chamber wall

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[kentd]

Very Impressive Set up!!!

Just a note on the ABS material...... I use to have cracking issues with the ABS when I was using the .35 mm Nozzle, but once I changed to the .50 mm nozzle all my problems went away.

I am using Purple Glue stick on the glass and the part stick to the plate perfect.

I am running my bed temp at 110
I am running my nozzle temp at 235

Hope this helps you out...

Kent

[Mike Hunter]

THANKS kentd. I will keep your recommendations in mind as I muddle my way through the first few ABS prints.

Mike H.

[jdacal]

Looks great, congrats!

[Capt. John]

Going to PET+ cures many ills presented by ABS.

[kentd]

Hi Mike,

Just checking in with you to see if the cabinet helped out on the cracking and warping issues with the ABS ?

If it solved your problems I may try to build one for my printer.

Thanks,

Kent

[Mike Hunter]

Hi Mike,

Just checking in with you to see if the cabinet helped out on the cracking and warping issues with the ABS ?

If it solved your problems I may try to build one for my printer.

Thanks,

Kent

Sorry for the delay. I've still been printing with PLA, but I'll be starting a project soon that will require ABS. More to Follow ....

Mike H.

[Bratag]

Going to PET+ cures many ills presented by ABS.

This many times over. PET+ is a much easier product to work with and in my experience pretty much as tough as ABS. YMMV obviously based on what you are using it for.

[kentd]

I ordered a roll of the PET+ today to try it out.
My main concern is the cost.... ( looks to be about double the price of ABS )

The part that I am printing will be a fishing boat assessory..... so it will be out in the sun.
Any thoughts on how the PET+ will hold up in the sun?

Thanks,

Kent

[insta]

Honestly, if it's outside, get UV-treated plastic for that. I have UV ABS (black) that I've extruded if you wanna buy some from me ( ), but otherwise look around specifically for it. UV is a huge pain to deal with.