The Open Source Clura Delivers Everything You Need in a 3D-Printer Enclosure — And More

3D-printing startup Clura has launched a crowdfunding campaign for what it claims is the "world's first smart open source 3D printer enclosure" — featuring air filtration, air quality monitoring with fire and smoke detection, and even filament weight tracking.

"3D-printing in your room shouldn't mean compromising the air you breathe," says Clura founder and lead engineer Fabrizio Blasio of the problem the company set out to solve. "Clura is the next-generation smart enclosure that finally takes your health seriously while bringing your 3D printing experience to the next level. We searched for a solution, a 3D printer enclosure, but this is what we found: expensive options, outdated features, closed source, no air filtration. Not being satisfied, we decided to build our own 3D printer enclosure — making it modular, open-source, affordable, and packed with features."

Enclosing a fused filament fabrication (FFF, also know as FDM) 3D printer brings a range of benefits — including better control over bed and hot-end temperatures. It also helps to keep the printer separated from the air in the rest of the room, and if fitted with a suitable filtration system — or piped to exhaust outside — can improve air quality while it does its job of melting plastic into the object of your design.

Clura is claimed to feature a multi-layer air filtration system which captures volatile organic compounds (VOCs) and ultra-fine particles (UFPs) automatically, taking roughly 60 seconds to completely cycle the air inside the enclosure. There are three smoke sensors which trigger alerts if something has gone terribly wrong, and air quality sensors alongside temperature and humidity sensors. There's even an integrated filament weighing system, along with a customizable RGB LED lighting system — all controlled from a built-in 4.3" touchscreen display linked to an STMicroelectronics STM32 microcontroller.

"We believe in the right to repair," Blasio adds of the company's decision to release the design for anyone to build themselves. "Clura is 100% open hardware. Every CAD file, PCB schematic, and line of code is already released on our GitHub. Own your hardware, modify it, and repair it forever. We [also] provide comprehensive maintenance guides to ensure your Clura runs perfectly for years to come."

The company has unveiled three models, designed for specific sizes of printer: the PE1, tailored for Prusa Mk. 3 and Mk. 4 and similar-sized printers; the BE1, for Bambu Ai, Ender 3, Creality HI and similar; and the ME1, for Prusa Mini, Bambu A1 Mini, and similar. Clura is currently crowdfunding on Kickstarter, with physical rewards starting at $119 for the "electronics kit" including air filtration system, LED lighting, touchscreen controller, environmental sensors, and "basic" smoke sensor for installation in a self-built enclosure, rising to $259 for a full pack with all the sensors plus the enclosure itself.

All hardware design files, production files, and firmware is, as promised, already available on GitHub under the Creative Commons NonCommercial license. "One of the primary reasons for selecting the CC BY-NC license is to prevent unauthorized commercial exploitation of our design," Blasio notes. "These clones often cut corners, leading to inferior products that tarnish the reputation of the original design. By restricting commercial use, we maintain control over how our enclosure is produced and ensure that the quality aligns with the standards we've set."