What is chamber temperature?
Short answer
Chamber temperature is the air temperature around the print, inside an enclosed printer. Materials that shrink a lot as they cool, such as ABS, ASA and PC, warp or crack between layers when the air around them is cold or draughty. Keeping that air warm lets the whole part cool slowly and evenly.
Guide
Which materials need a warm chamber?
- No enclosure needed: PLA and most PETG. A warm enclosure can even make PLA clog by heating the extruder.
- Enclosure recommended: ABS, ASA and nylon such as PA6.
- Heated chamber often needed: PC, and specialist materials such as PEI.
Warming the chamber without a heater
Most enclosed printers have no chamber heater: the heated bed warms the air. Let the bed heat with the door closed for 10 to 15 minutes before printing, and keep the enclosure closed until the print has cooled.
Chamber temperature questions
Do I need an enclosure for ABS?
Almost always. ABS warps and cracks in cool or moving air. Even a simple cover that keeps draughts away makes a big difference.
Should I print PLA with the enclosure closed?
Usually not. PLA softens at low temperatures, so a warm chamber can soften it in the extruder and cause clogs. Open the door or lid for PLA.
What does a chamber temperature on a filament listing mean?
It's the air temperature the maker suggests around the print. If your printer has no chamber heater, treat it as a sign that the filament needs a closed, pre-warmed enclosure.
Why does my print crack between layers?
Usually because the upper layers cool and shrink while the lower ones are still warm. A warmer, draught-free chamber is the main fix.