Heated Build Chamber
Release status: working
| Description | Heated build chamber build.
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| CAD Models | none
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Contents
Introduction
I am genuinely surprised this page hasn't been made yet. Anyway I made this page to demonstrate a heated build chamber (HBC) I built. It works incredibly well and it has almost completely eliminated the warping effect for ABS parts despite the fact that I have no heated bed. The only bed adhesion I do have is blue painters tape.
Overview
The HBC is nothing fancy at all and can be built from very cheap parts and the most basic of woodworking tools. The system consists of a wooden box made from thin mdf sheets with wood beams acting as a skeleton.
Insulation
Double-ply cardboard is then glued to the inside of the box for insulation.
Heat vents
After the box has been insulated a heat vent needs to be made so that the temperature of the chamber can be regulated. I made a lasercut vent consisting of sliding vertical slots. This system can easily be made with hand tools, I just used a lasercutter because it was easier and less time consuming
Heating element
The final part of the heated build chamber is the heating element. In my case I used a hair dryer and it works perfectly for its job. I glued it to a right-angle piece of PVC pipe so that all the air would be directed inside.
Operation and Precautions
In order to get good results experimentation is required. The temperature of the chamber is controlled bu the speed setting on the hair dryer and how open the vents are. personally I keep the hair dryer on mode 2 and one of the three vents closed, for larger parts all three vents are closed and the warping decreases even more.
- Precaution Personally this system hasn't failed me yet and it poses no serious risk but be careful because this thing is still a fire hazard and I have never left it unattended.
Results
images to be posted here very soon.
Other ideas from Heated Build Platform page
The purpose of a heated build chamber is to reduce the cooling caused by open air. This can help reduce warping with tall/thin printed features and conserve energy.[1] The sealed nature of these chambers can also be used contain fumes from heated plastics.
Turkey Bag
A plastic turkey bag is designed to withstand the high temperatures and can be an ideal, cheap way to create a heated build chamber.
Multiple bags can be used (ie multiple layers) to decrease heat lost by conduction. They do not stop heat lost through infrared radiation.
Mylar
Mylar (commonly seen as "metal" balloons and space blankets) has great thermal reflection properties and can be inexpensive. As most consumer Mylar is not rated for high temperatures, care should be taken to be sure it doesn't come into contact with the heated build platforms or extruders. High temperature Mylar can be purchased at a higher cost.
Pictures
These photos show the completed box. Description of photos is below.
HBC front view
HBC back view
HBC vent
