Not long after the creation of the A1 Mini, Bambu Lab released the A1, which features a larger build volume, a more stable frame, and a heated bed that can reach up to 100 °C.
This makes the A1 a cheaper alternative to the P1 or X1 series of Bambu Lab printers, while introducing compatibility with a wider range of filaments than the A1 Mini. In order to take full advantage of this new bed, however, you’ll benefit from an enclosure.
Rather than having to purchase the already enclosed P1S, A1 owners may want to look into enclosing their printer to achieve the same effect at a cheaper price.
We’ve gathered a list of some of the best enclosure options for the Bambu Lab A1. Before we dive in, let’s take a look at our considerations for making this list and a note on the overall setup.
Considerations
An enclosure is meant to maintain an ambient temperature for your printer, eliminating drafts and keeping your printed parts from cooling down too fast. This is especially important when printing materials such as ASA or ABS, as these will have bed and layer adhesion issues when exposed to open-air cooling.
As you may know, there are plenty of enclosures out there. Here are the main factors we looked at when making this list:
- Temperature: We’ve chosen enclosures that are proven to maintain a consistent temperature for the printer by creating a truly enclosed space with no drafts.
- AMS compatibility: While there are many enclosures that would house a single A1 printer, we want to have the option of storing both the A1 and the AMS Lite unit. Our list prioritizes enclosures that are large enough for both the printer and AMS Lite.
- Visibility: We opted for enclosures that allow users to easily monitor printers to watch for failures or capture amazing time-lapses.
- Price: We want our enclosure options to be more financially viable than just purchasing a P1S. This might mean a little more work on the maker’s end to assemble the enclosure, though the results are worth it.
Some users may require an enclosure with air filtration for more odorous materials, while others may only want an enclosure to silence their printer. It’s important to ensure that the enclosure you choose will satisfy your unique needs.
A Word of Caution
It’s important to know that Bambu Lab states that they don’t recommend using an enclosure for the A1. Users clarify that this is because the electronics of the machine don’t have sufficient cooling solutions to withstand extended exposure to heat. However, the overall consensus seems to be that, unless you plan on 3D printing at high temperatures constantly, it should be okay. Adding a temperature sensor to ensure that you don’t go above a determined value (i.e. ~30 °C) is also recommended.
That said, users who intend to run their machines 24/7 inside of an enclosure will need to look into additional cooling options to avoid long-term damage (or, if they’re still trying to decide on a printer, might be better off just buying the P1S). And you should keep in mind that, if constant high temperatures within an enclosed setup lead to damage to the motherboard, the warranty will be voided.
With that said, let’s look at some A1 enclosures!
Chitu Systems
For the longest time, one of the easiest ways to enclose a printer was to use a frame and tent design. This is the same approach that Chitu Systems uses for their A1 enclosure. Using a thick Oxford cloth and a zip-close flap, this enclosure can easily keep heat inside of the chamber, while the see-through flaps make it easy to monitor your printer
This enclosure is larger than the average tent setup, with more than enough space for both the A1 and the AMS Lite unit. It also comes with some nice features, such as exhaust fan outlets, a mesh pocket for carbon filtration, and a mini hygrometer. The size of this enclosure also makes it compatible with many other 3D printers, making it a worthwhile investment.
- Visibility: Front, right side, and (partial) top
- Accessibility: Front and side plastic windows
- Price: ~$80
Modular Enclosure
Printable Accessories has been creating 3D printable files with a wide range of applications, from filament storage systems to tabletop miniatures’ cases. All of their designs are made to be modular, allowing users to print them in any way they choose. The same goes for their Modular Enclosure.
The frame of this enclosure is completely 3D printed, with every piece using a modular connection system. This means that you can print out as big or small of an enclosure as you need. Aside from printed parts, which you will need to print yourself, you will also need a few acrylic panels for the sides and the doors. There is also the option to print side panels for a fully 3D printed enclosure, though this will drastically reduce visibility of your printer.
The modular nature of this enclosure means that you can choose whether you want to print one large enough for just the A1 or if you want to make it bigger to include the AMS Lite. The pieces can easily be disassembled, allowing you to add onto the enclosure with future prints, including a peg board for tool storage.
- Visibility: Up to four sides and top (depends on design choice)
- Accessibility: Front-opening hinged door
- Price: ~$90
Clearview Plastics
Clearview Plastics focuses on creating premium custom acrylic enclosures for the most popular 3D printers, utilizing 3D printed brackets and grommets to simplify the assembly process. Their A1 enclosure kit is sized to perfectly fit the A1 without taking up more space than needed. The AMS Lite unit sits on top of the enclosure and feeds down into it. This reduces the horizontal space required for your A1 Combo, while requiring a bit more vertical space.
Clearview offers some optional upgrades to their enclosures as well, including an exhaust fan, an air filter, and an air intake for the bottom. These allow for air to flow freely to the motherboard underneath the A1 while still maintaining heat throughout the chamber. They also offer a power cable extender and a longer Bowden tube for the AMS Lite, both of which are required if you plan on mounting the AMS unit on top of the enclosure. These extensions, as well as any optional upgrades, will come at an additional cost.
While definitely the most expensive option on our list, Clearview provides a fully custom and premium enclosure for anyone looking for an all-in-one solution for their A1 printer.
- Visibility: All sides
- Accessibility: Front-opening hinged door
- Price: Starting at ~$200 for basic enclosure kit (price affected by material choice of printed parts and upgrades)
Ikea Lack
If you’ve ever looked into enclosure options for a 3D printer, you are most likely already familiar with the Ikea Lack setup. Some of you may even have a leftover Lack enclosure from a previous 3D printer enclosure build. This DIY enclosure utilizes two Ikea Lack tables stacked on top of each other, with acrylic panels mounted to the sides to enclose the open space. These tables are perfectly sized for most medium-sized FDM 3D printers. Luckily, they are also a decent size for the A1.
While the A1 just fits inside of this enclosure, some users have opted to leave the back panel off to relieve stress on the power cables. When placed with the back of the enclosure near a wall, you should still be able to maintain ideal enclosure temperatures. You will need to mount the AMS Lite on top of the enclosure if you plan on using it, which means you will also need Bowden tube extensions.
While more hands-on than other options on our list, the Lack enclosure has quite the community behind it, with plenty of instruction, mods, and personalization options.
- Visibility: Four sides
- Accessibility: Depends on design, but usually front-opening hinged door
- Price: ~$50, depending on modifications and acrylic panel price
DIY Enclosure
Sometimes, the best enclosure is the one you build yourself. A DIY enclosure will ensure that your setup meets all of your requirements. Whether you need a spacious enclosure for the AMS Lite or want something with extreme soundproofing for a silent printing experience, you can find a build for just about anything.
DIY enclosures can vary greatly in cost and labor. Many utilize 3D printed parts and acrylic panels for easy monitoring, while others incorporate some woodworking skills. The plus side is that it is a lot easier to keep costs low if you are building your own enclosure. If you are in a hurry, you can quickly cobble together an enclosure using cardboard – needless to say, you’ll want to take all proper fire and safety precautions into consideration.
Whichever project you end up opting for, keep in mind the A1’s dimensions and how you’d like any and all peripherals to be set up around it.
- Visibility: Depends on the design
- Accessibility: Depends on the design
- Price: $0-$100, depending on the materials used
License: The text of "Bambu Lab A1 Enclosure: 5 Simple Solutions" by All3DP is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.