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Should You Place a Resin 3D Printer Near a Window?

3D resin printer owners have to consider where to place their machines due to the fumes and heat they give off. Often, the window crops up as a possible location. Still, should you put a resin 3D printer near a window? 

Written by:
Ben
Last updated:
11/22/2023

3D resin printer owners have to consider where to place their machines due to the fumes and heat they give off. Often, the window crops up as a possible location. Still, should you put a resin 3D printer near a window? 

You should place a 3D resin printer near a window, though you may need to block the light. 3D resins produce toxic fumes that may irritate the eyes and lungs, so it’s best to have a well-ventilated environment. However, you must use a filter to protect the resins from UV damage. 

Let’s get into the details and find the ideal place for your resin 3D printer. I’ll explain why it’s a good idea to put your resin printer near a window and offer some pro tips that you may want to consider when looking for the best spot for your printer. 

Why You Should Place a Resin 3D Printer Near a Window

If you search the internet for 3D printing tips, you will likely come across the suggestion to place your resin 3D printer near a window. The reasoning behind this is threefold: 

  • Preventing overheating 
  • Preventing toxic fumes buildup 
  • Speeding up curing 

Let’s look at each reason in more detail:

The Window Prevents Overheating

Overheating is a common issue with 3D printers and can cause several problems, such as decreased quality or damage to the machine. Like other printers, resin printers are susceptible to overheating. 

Because of that, it is crucial to provide your printer with a well-ventilated workspace. Placing it near a window is one way to do that. The window will allow fresh air to flow around the machine and help keep it cool. 

The Window Prevents Toxic Fumes Buildup in a Room

3D printers, especially resin printers, contain volatile organic compounds that are dangerous to inhale and can also be unpleasant. These fumes contain formaldehyde, methacrylate, and other toxic VOCs that cause cancer. 

It’s therefore essential to have a well-ventilated workspace when using a 3D printer. Placing your printer near a window is one way to achieve this. Fresh air will flow into the room and help disperse the fumes. 

Here’s an excellent tutorial on how to use resin 3D printers safely: 

Natural Light Speeds Up Curing

Your 3D printer uses UV light to cure 3D prints made with resin. The UV light hardens the liquid resin layer by layer when you print until the entire object is solid. 

The faster the UV light cures the resin, the quicker you can print. Since natural sunlight contains a lot of UV, placing your printer near a window can speed up the printing process. 

Caveat: Although UV is beneficial for printing with 3D resins, it also has downsides, which I’ll mention later.

It Helps You Monitor the Progress

Having your 3D printer near a window allows you to watch the printing process. You can see the object taking shape as it prints and get a better idea of when it’s finished. 

Key Takeaway: Placing your resin 3D printer near a window is a good idea for several reasons: it prevents overheating, disperses fumes, and speeds up the curing process.

The Drawbacks of Placing a Resin 3D Printer Near a Window

Although there are several reasons to place a resin 3D printer near a window, there are also some drawbacks to consider. Knowing these can help you make a more informed decision about when to put your machine near the window and the precautions to take. 

Here are the primary drawbacks of placing a resin 3D printer near a window:

Direct Sunlight May Damage the Resin

As I mentioned, UV light cures 3D prints made with resin. While UV light speeds up the hardening process, that’s not always a good thing. 

If too much light hits the UV resin in your printer vat, it won’t last as long. The light may harden the surface of your vat resin, clumping it up and making it unusable. 

You can help prevent this premature curing process by using a UV filter on your printer. A UV filter is a piece of glass or plastic that you place over the window or a 3D printer to reduce UV radiation entering the room. 

Some resin 3D printers come with a cover that blocks out UV, and you may be able to purchase one that will fit over your printer. Still, you can always use some good old window tint, curtains, or other light-blocking materials to keep the sun out while letting fresh air inside. 

If you cannot use a UV filter, you should try to position your printer near the window but in a spot that gets no sunlight. Placing it against the wall a few feet from a window is usually the best spot. 

The Window Could Create a Draft on a Cold Day

Another potential issue with placing your printer near a window is that the window could create a draft on a cold day. Breezes and too much cool air can cause the resin to cool down too quickly and affect the print quality. 

You can prevent this from happening by using a heater to keep the area around your printer warm. In this case, a PTC heater, hairdryer, or space heater can help keep the temperature around your printer consistent. 

For example, you could use this Riomor 60° Oscillating Space Heater from Amazon.com. It’s a small, lightweight heater that you can quickly move around your workspace. 

UV Degradation May Hurt the Durability of Prints

Scientific evidence points out that light exposure can also damage resins. 

Ultraviolet radiation causes the degradation of 3D prints over time, which is especially true if you expose the 3D object to UV radiation for an extended period. However, you can prevent this by installing a UV blocker on your window. 

The Bottom Line: Placing your resin 3D printer near a window has several drawbacks. However, you can address them by using a UV filter, positioning your printer correctly, and using a room heater during cold weather. 

Tips for Positioning Your 3D Printer

Now that you know the benefits and drawbacks of placing a resin 3D printer near a window, let’s look at the general guidelines for positioning your printer. They include: 

  • Keep your 3D printer in a well-ventilated area. Since resin is a volatile material, keeping your printer in a well-ventilated area is essential. Ensuring proper airflow will minimize the risk of inhaling any fumes released during printing. 
  • Place your 3D printer close to an outlet. Since resin printers require power, placing your printer close to an outlet is crucial. 
  • Ensure your 3D printer is in a stable location. If you move your printer around often, you will likely experience problems. So, make sure your printer is in a safe area where it won’t wobble. Notably, you should install supports, such as braces, to keep your printer in place. 
  • Place your printer away from heat sources. Printers placed near heat sources may experience problems with the resin curing process. So, it’s crucial to put your printer away from any heat sources such as room vents, fireplaces, or radiators. 
  • Avoid sunlight exposure. Although windows are good news for 3D printer ventilation, they are bad for curing. Be sure to block out light whenever you use your 3D printer and never allow the sunlight to get to your resin vat. 

Wrap Up

Overall, it is good to place your resin 3D printer near a window. The window will help to prevent overheating and ensure good ventilation, while the natural light will speed up curing. Plus, you can keep an eye on the progress of your print job. 

However, direct sunlight may damage the resin and create drafts on cold days. So, be sure to take these things into account when positioning your 3D printer.

Written by:
Ben
Last updated:
11/22/2023

About Ben

I started 3D printing since 2013 and have learned a lot since then. Because of this I want to share my knowledge of what I have learned in the past years with the community. Currently I own 2 Bambulab X1 Carbon, Prusa SL1S and a Prusa MK3S+. Hope you learn something from my blog after my years of experience in 3D printing.