Build a Safer, More Efficient 3D Printing Lab at Home

Plan Around Your Printer

Start by assessing the available space and the needs of your printer. Fused deposition modeling (FDM) and resin printers have different safety requirements, so the type of machine should guide decisions about layout and equipment.

Resin printing requires room to wash excess resin from prints and cure finished models. It also calls for effective fume extraction and good ventilation, such as windows, without exposing the printer to direct sunlight.

Choose a Suitable Location

Avoid high-traffic areas, as well as places where people eat or sleep. Printers can be noisy and produce fumes, making a separate workspace useful for limiting those disruptions.

Direct sunlight can cure resin in a printer’s vat, potentially ruining prints and leaving the material unusable. Ventilation is important for both printer types, with resin fumes and cleaning processes presenting a particular concern.

Manage Humidity and Filament

Humidity is a key consideration for FDM printers because moisture can affect filament. The author’s setup uses a dehumidifier to bring room humidity to about 45 percent, then filament dryers and desiccant bags to keep stored filament at 20 to 30 percent relative humidity.

For humid homes or basements, a dehumidifier can remove moisture from the air. Filament can also be kept in containers that allow humidity to be monitored and controlled; the author uses kitchen-grade plastic bins sized for standard rolls.

Track Conditions in Storage

Hygrometers are small sensors that measure humidity in a workspace or inside a storage container. The author places one in each filament bin to monitor conditions. A dedicated space does not need to be expensive or elaborate. Matching basic environmental controls and storage to the printer can make regular printing more organized and efficient.