SAFETY HACKS TO STORE 3D PRINTER FILAMENT makenica.com/safety-hacks-to-store-3d-printer-filament September 27, 2020
Category Engineering September 27, 2020
3D printing filaments are the raw material of 3D printing. They are the feedstock used for creating a three-dimensional model via fused deposition modelling 3D printers. There are several types of filaments available in the market such as PLA, ABS, TPE, PETG, nylon, wood, metal, etc. They differ in properties and require different settings to print.
WHY SHOULD FILAMENTS BE STORED PROPERLY? Most of the materials used for 3D printing are hygroscopic. It means that they are likely to absorb moisture from the surrounding air. For instance, PVA and nylon are highly hygroscopic and have a high affinity to absorb moisture. When a wet filament is used for 3D printing services, you will notice a sizzling noise during the process and a horrible print result. There are several ways to dry the filament before use that you can try. Another enemy of filament spools is dust. What happens with dust is that it settles on the filament and gets into the nozzle and clogs it. This mostly results in a failed print or 1/4
under extrusion. Due to these reasons, it is essential that you keep your filament spools away from dust and moisture. This can be done by storing them carefully and correctly. This article is dedicated to providing you with all the safe ways of storing your filament spools so that you can print flawless models.
Polymaker PolyBox Edition II Polymaker PolyBox Edition II is the elitist container when it comes to storing filaments. It is a slim box capable of holding up to two 750g spools or one large 3kg spool mounted on ball-bearing axles. There are several rubber couplings on the side as well as the top of the box through which the filament is fed to the feeder. Two large desiccant packs are present at the bottom of the container to control the humidity inside. A hygrometer is attached on the front to monitor the level of moisture inside. The main attractive feature of the Polybox is that it lets you store filaments AND print directly from the box. Therefore, you do not need to take out the filament from the box and risk its absorbing moisture in the process, especially when you're working with filaments like PVA or nylon. They're so hygroscopic that they can absorb moisture as soon as they're in the open.
PrintDry Filament Container If you're looking to store a single spool of filament, you can consider using the PrintDry Filament Container. The box is airtight, thanks to the seal in the lid and free of moisture. Moreover, the container comes with a vacuum hand pump to suck out any remaining air present inside. They are easy to stack and do not take up much space.
Lock & Lock Container HSM952. The Lock & Lock Container HSM952, like the PrintDry Container, stores one spool of filament. It has room for one desiccant pack and a 750g filament spool. An all-around rubber seal in the lid tightly closes the box hermetically. A number of containers can be stacked easily.
Ziplock & Vacuum Seal Bags Ziplock and vacuum seal bags are the cheapest and easiest way to store filaments. A spool can conveniently be stored in a six or eight-liter bag. While using ziplock bags, ensure that you reinforce the edges and openings with tape as they may get torn when used frequently. Vacuum sealing the ziplock bags is also a good idea if possible.
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Vacuum seal bags are popularly used to store food and fabrics. But they can be a good way to store filaments as well. The most important thing to keep in mind while buying a vacuum seal bag for storing filaments is the size. They should be big enough for your filaments. You can place the filament inside and use a household vacuum to suck the excess air out.
Silica Gel Desiccant Packs No matter the type of container or bag you might be using for storing your filament, desiccant packs should always be included. The Silica Gel desiccant packs reliably absorb moisture from the air and keep the humidity to a minimum. They can be dried again in a microwave or oven and used again. Different-sized silica gel packs are available in the market. Around 50 grams of desiccant is enough for a single spool while for bigger containers, more packs are required. Some packs have a colour indicator and change colours when they become saturated. This can be a great indicator for when they need to be recharged.
DIY FILAMENT STORAGE If you prefer making your own material rather than getting a pre-made one, you're in luck! You can create your own dry box that can be used either for storage or for both storage and direct printing from the box. For this, you can simply use a regular plastic box and seal it accordingly. Depending on the size and number of filaments, you can buy the perfect box and add the necessary features to it. If you want a box for direct printing, install a spool holder and a coupling for a Bowden tube. Ensure that the couplings are airtight so that the filaments do not absorb moisture while printing.
FILAMENT CLIPS Filaments can get tangled while storage. To prevent this, you should properly store the material with filament clips. There are several kinds of filament clips but the best ones are those that clip to the spool edge and stop the filament from unwinding. A spool with an unsecured filament end should never be stored.
FILAMENT DUST FILTER Finally, to keep the filaments safe from dust, dust filters should be used. These are clipped onto the filament between the spool and the filter to make sure that dust and dirt do not clog the nozzle. Interestingly, filament dust filters can be 3D printed. Cut two small pieces of sponge and put them in both sides of the dust filter case. 3/4
CONCLUSION The 3D printing process is a long, elaborate process that needs to be done with care. Proper storage of filaments should not be taken for granted as it can be the make or break factor between a successful and unsuccessful print. They sure can be dried before use but that doesn't mean their long term storage should be avoided. Remember, safety first! Happy Printing!
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