Kalibu and Enclosure: Environmental Monitoring
Why an enclosure helps, what it provides and how to build or adapt one to stabilize print environment and reduce warping.
⏱ Estimated time: 10 min
Procedure
Benefits of an enclosure
The sealed chamber stabilizes the temperature and humidity.
🏗️ Why an enclosure helps
What a closed chamber addresses and for whom it is necessary
ABS without an enclosure very often ends in warping.
The enclosure stabilizes the temperature around the model and eliminates drafts. It is not necessary for PLA, but it is essential for ABS/ASA and composites.
- PLA / PETG
- Enclosure is not necessary, but helps in drafts
- ABS / ASA
- Enclosure required - guaranteed warping without it
- PA / Nylon
- Recommended – reduces humidity and drafts
- CF/GF composites
- Recommended + filter system (HEPA + activated carbon)
Temperature stabilization: The closed chamber prevents rapid cooling of the model. Even temperature means less internal stress and warping.
Draft elimination: An open window or air conditioning in the room are the most common causes of warping in ABS and ASA.
Active chamber heating: Printers like Bambu X1 Carbon or QIDI Q1 Pro have active chamber heating at 104 - 140 °F for technical materials.
🛠️ How to Build or Buy an Enclosure
Options ranging from cardboard to commercial solutions
IKEA Lack stack + plexiglass = classic DIY enclosure from ~ 500 Kč
You don't need to buy an expensive machine with an enclosure—a simple DIY solution works very well for ABS and ASA.
Cardboard box (quick test): Use this recommendation while configuring your print.
IKEA Lack enclosure: The most popular DIY solution. Two Lack tables stacked on top of each other with plexiglass. Downloadable models at Printables. Price: 500 – 1,500 Kč.
Prusa Enclosure: Official enclosure for Prusa MK4S with magnetic panels and filter. A more expensive, but precise and easily disassembled solution.
Commercial all-in-one (Bambu X1, QIDI): The simplest solution – a printer with enclosure, camera and filter in one. Higher entry price, no DIY work.
Vapor Filtration in the Enclosure
HEPA + activated carbon = a must for ABS and composites
The sealed chamber concentrates the vapors. Without filtration, there may be higher concentrations of styrene (ABS) or nanoparticles (CF/GF) inside the chamber.
Ventilation outside: The simplest and most effective solution – the hose from the chamber to the outside through the window. Not suitable in winter or in an apartment unit.
HEPA + activated carbon: Captures nano-particles (HEPA) and chemical vapors (activated carbon). Combination required for CF, GF and CF-PA.
For PLA and PETG: Fumes are less dangerous, but basic ventilation or an open window is always a better option.