3D Printer Enclosures: 16 Best Solutions For Your 3D Setup

Here are some convenient solutions you can use as a pre-made or makeshift setup to enclose your 3D printer. 

Photo Tent

Your main objectives in enclosing your 3D printer are to keep it clean and maintain a constant temperature. An inexpensive way to achieve both outcomes is a photography tent. 

These tents are usually white, flexible, and made from a synthetic material that diffuses light. However, they’re also excellent at keeping dust away from your printer. You can also take pictures of your 3D printer while it’s working!

The only downside you’ll have to be aware of is that the material used to make photo tents is usually highly flammable. Choose this covering wisely and ensure the fit is not too tight around your printer. A little breathing room also makes it easier to access your 3D printer. 

Plexiglass and 3D Printer Parts

If you’re interested in watching the entire 3D printing process from start to finish, you can try using plexiglass with additional printer components. This setup gives you optimal visibility, and you can customize it to your liking while eliminating exposure to dirt and other particles. 

All you’ll need is plexiglass, printed hinges from your 3D printer, and screws. You can tackle this task independently if you have the proper tools, such as a CNC machine or a saw. 

The main benefit here is avoiding dust and still being able to see everything, as temperature tracking and ventilation aren’t possible. These are factors you’ll have to consider when working with certain materials. Printing with ABS, for example, necessitates adding extra holes and a fan to prevent toxins while printing.

A plexiglass case is an excellent option if you need something to keep curious hands at bay but can open the case while the printer is working.

Plastic Storage Containers

Plastic storage containers are among the easiest you can use for a 3D printer enclosure. They offer versatility in their sizes, though they also require more work to assemble precisely. 

You have to stack the boxes together, and you’ll need tools to cut slits and holes in them to accommodate the printer cables. Since plastic boxes are transparent for the most part, you won’t have to deal with not being able to check on the printing while in operation. You can also assemble the boxes as you see fit. 

You can use a few basic tutorials to create an enclosure from plastic boxes. The best part is that it costs under $50 to complete the job. Again, many plastic containers aren’t flame-resistant, so you want to ensure that you give yourself plenty of room inside for your printer since the internal temperature can get pretty high. 

Aluminum Extrusion

Using aluminum extrusions is a simple way to construct a structural frame for your 3D printer. These bars are strong, lightweight, easy to make, and an overall fantastic candidate for building an enclosure. 

Place acrylic panels on each side to complete the box, allowing some visibility during the printing process. You’ll get a bit more durability than you would with plastic and you can even find custom-made extrusions to keep certain printers steady. You can utilize the top for filament spools and if you have any tools, they can be at the bottom. 

Be mindful that this setup isn’t the best choice for beginners because it involves a certain level of expertise to manipulate the extrusions.

The Ikea Lack

One of the more popular DIY enclosure ideas is the Ikea Lack tables. They offer excellent accessibility, are aesthetically pleasing, and look like their purpose is to hold 3D printers! 

This structure is a wonderful fit for the Prusa i3 MK3S, but you can build an enclosure with these tables that are compatible with many different printers. You might have to adjust the height to ensure there’s enough space. You’ll have to stack two or three Ikea Lack tables on top of each other to create a printer stand. 

Adding plexiglass to the front can create doors that allow you to access the printer, seal the enclosure, and see the 3D printer at work. You can also add accessories and filament guides to customize your stand. 

It’s best to produce 3D-printed parts so you don’t have to drill holes on your own, making it easier to assemble and disassemble the structure. Also, you’ll need a way to feed the filament through, so allow space on top for easy movement.

Wood

An open-frame 3D printer can be noisy with the buzzing of the motors. If you’re in an office or a communal living space, constructing a sound-insulated enclosure is crucial. 

A standard enclosure can reduce noise to an extent, but acrylic isn’t the best material to block out the sounds. When you build a sound-resistant enclosure made of wood, you can line it with acoustic foam to absorb some of the printer’s noises. 

An ideal wooden enclosure will contain a window and have two doors for access. If you put the electronic components on the outside of the enclosure, you’ll be able to control it without opening the chambers. It’s also easy to build. 

Plastic Sheets

Using plastic sheets to enclose a 3D printer is the easiest solution on the list. This method doesn’t cost much, does a decent job of keeping the heat in, and doesn’t require a high level of experience or knowledge. 

All you have to do is grab some PVC joints and pipes to make a frame to throw the plastic sheets over, or you can attempt to print a frame instead. According to MatterHackers’ guide, these instructions will help you build a solid frame with little more than a staple gun and tape. 

It would be best if you had a transparent tarp to see through the sheets, but an opaque or translucent tarp will also work. The inside of the sheet will get exposed to heat, so choose a resistant and thick material. 

Applying a hinged door or other customized features won’t be practical because the sheet will cover it. You will be able to cut a makeshift door section of the enclosure, or you can lift it to gain access. 

This method is also suitable when printing high-temperature materials like ABS on a premier device. Last but not least, it costs less than $30!

PVC Foam

Using PVC foam as an enclosure option is very popular when searching for a way to safeguard your 3D printer. You can make it smaller or larger to fit a bigger machine. This enclosure is easy to build because it’s essentially just PVC foam walls fitted together. However, adding electronics like LED lights and other features takes it up a notch. 

Consider fans to filter out the glasses and hot air, a heatsink tube, a hinged door, and more. To complete this project, you’ll need to have a hot glue gun, plexiglass, soldering skills, and a drill on hand. 

MDF

As a simple DIY option that mainly addresses unwanted noise, an enclosure built from MDF plywood can protect your Creality CR-10 and other large-body 3D printers. It will work well if you have a smaller printer. Thankfully, the materials to build this enclosure are readily available, consisting of reflective foil, isolation foam, and MDF. 

Not only will these materials help to keep the temperature even, but they can also isolate noise. You’ll get a professional enclosure, and the doors make it easy to access. The only drawback is that the enclosure can be bulky, especially if the doors are open. If space isn’t an issue, though, this choice is an ideal one.

Cabinet

Choosing a cabinet for a 3D printer is another practical solution that allows you to use an everyday household furniture item to your advantage. Do you have a resin 3D printer? They usually come with an enclosure in tow, but that doesn’t account for the extra space you need for the prints, resin bottles, and more. 

An IKEA Brimnes cabinet has ample storage space to hold the printer, miniatures, and printing equipment. The cabinet itself separates into two halves, creating a more efficient method for storing things. 

You can also tweak this setup to adjust the shelf heights to your liking. An opening at the top can serve as air ventilation and extract harmful printer fumes that emit a terrible smell. Based on affordability and ease of use, a cabinet is a perfect idea to declutter a resin workspace. 

Dishwasher

If you’re looking to give your old dishwasher a new purpose, a 3D printer enclosure is a perfect way to do so. A dishwasher can serve as an excellent enclosure for a 3D printer. This option fits a standard 3D printer quite well and has room at the top to mount a filament spool.

A dishwasher also has enough room to fit the Creality Ender 3 and other 3D printers of similar sizes. Also, with the additional space left over, you can use it to accommodate some LEDs, a webcam for remote monitoring to control the 3D printer, and a Raspberry Pi. 

However, the disadvantage is that there is little room for additional customization. Additionally, you’ll have to change the dishwasher to make room for more updates, which isn’t always practical. Other than that, the enclosure is one of the best ways to transform an underused or old machine into something with utility that will save you money. 

Exercise Mats

For fitness enthusiasts with extra exercise mats lying around, here’s an excellent way to put them to use. This isn’t the sturdiest (or most aesthetically pleasing) 3D printer enclosure you can make, but it does a decent job if you need something short-term.

It’s also relatively cheap, even if you have to go out and grab a few from your local retail store. Five or six should do the trick; they have to be interlocking for this to come together correctly. This setup offers insulation and broad coverage. The material is generally rubbery but can feel somewhat soft, like foam, depending on your selected brand. 

Despite the holes or gaps that might be present, the air draft that can enter the space where the printer is should be negligible. Therefore, the prints you receive will still be high-quality, even when using ABS. For all of the positives, there are still some disadvantages, such as limited upgrade options. You also can’t see into the enclosure as you can with plexiglass, for example. 

You’ll have to cut out parts of the mat to create a window and then cover them with a transparent plastic sheet so you could see inside. The accessibility issue would be easier to fix, as you can remove one of the mats to use the printer. 

Ikea Pax 3D Enclosure

Ikea furniture has become an increasingly popular method of storing 3D printers, as their items are typically well-made and durable. 

This IKEA Pax enclosure is a cost-effective option that doubles as a wardrobe and a storage unit. Use it for your 3D printer to save floor space, or you could store multiple printers simultaneously. It functions similarly to the Ikea Lack tables set up but has a smaller footprint. 

With this convenient storage option, you can stack three 3D printers on top of one another in this enclosure, and there will still be additional spacing for tools, electronics, filament spools, and more. You can sit any power source outside the Pax enclosure, protecting your printers from high temperatures. 

Throw in some LED lights for a cool look if you want a little extra pizzazz while enclosing your 3D printer on a budget. The modular shelves allow you to move things around to suit your height preferences. There aren’t any transparent panels, so you’ll have to be willing to carve some into the structure or be okay with peeking inside to see what’s going on.