Quadro has an open frame, which gives you full access to the print and keeps PLA, PETG and TPU simple. An optional enclosure add-on will be offered for materials that print best in a stable environment, such as ABS. You choose the format that fits the job, instead of living with an enclosure all the time.
An open frame and an enclosure aren't opposites. They are two ways to handle the same machine.
Why Quadro Is Open
An open frame lets you see the print from every side, reach the plate without opening a door and keeps heat from building up around the toolheads. That suits PLA, PETG and TPU, which print without any special setup, and it makes a four-toolhead machine easier to inspect and service. See Bed-Slinger vs CoreXY for Multicolor 3D Printing.
What an Enclosure Adds
- A stable temperature. Materials like ABS shrink as they cool, so they print best without drafts and sudden changes.
- Protection from drafts and dust. Moving air can affect layer adhesion and surface finish.
- A contained print area. Useful at home or in a workspace where the printer shouldn't be exposed.
Together these make the add-on the usual way to print temperature-sensitive materials. See Multi-Material 3D Printing: PLA, TPU, PETG and PVA.
What to Keep in Mind
- PLA doesn't like a hot chamber. Heat that helps ABS can soften PLA, so open the enclosure or leave it off for PLA.
- Ventilation still matters. An enclosure contains fumes from some materials. It doesn't remove them, so keep the room ventilated.
- Access. An enclosure adds a door between you and the print, and you use it when the material calls for it.
Choosing What You Need
If you print mostly PLA, PETG and TPU, you can stay open. If you print ABS or similar materials often, or you want a controlled environment, the add-on makes sense. For how the two formats compare in general, see our multi toolhead 3D printer buying guide.
Works with Your Other Add-Ons
Dry filament matters as much as a stable environment, see Filament Dryer Box. For harder materials, see Nozzles for Quadro.
Key Takeaways
- Quadro's open frame keeps PLA, PETG and TPU simple and gives full access.
- An optional enclosure add-on will be offered for ABS and other temperature-sensitive materials.
- Don't keep PLA in a hot chamber, and always ventilate the room.
- You choose open or enclosed depending on the job.
Want to know when add-ons arrive? See Quadro or visit the Kickstarter page.
3. FAQ
Is Quadro an open-frame printer? Yes. It's an open-frame bed-slinger with full access to the build plate.
Can Quadro print ABS? Yes. ABS prints best in a stable, draft-free environment, and an optional enclosure add-on will be offered.
Do I need the enclosure for PLA, PETG or TPU? No. These print on the open frame without special setup.
Does an enclosure remove fumes? No. It contains them. Keep the room ventilated when printing materials that give off fumes.
Can I use the enclosure with every material? You can, but PLA can soften in a hot chamber, so open or remove the enclosure for PLA.
