With the development of technology, 3D printing technology is becoming increasingly common in our lives. Many people choose to do 3D printing at home by purchasing a 3D printer. This approach can obtain 3D printed items more quickly. At the same time, this can also achieve more personalized printing. But this approach has also brought about some derivative operations. For example, if you are using a fused deposition modeling printer (FDM printer), the storage of 3D filaments is an operation that cannot be ignored. In this blog, we will carefully explain the storage methods of 3D filaments to help you better carry out 3D printing.
Table of Contents
- What is 3D Filament
- Common Types of 3D Filament
- Why Should You Store Your 3D Filament Properly
- How to Store 3D Filament
1. Sealed Box
2. Vacuum Package
3. Professional Drying Box
What is 3D Filament
Due to its simpler operation and lower price than other 3D printers, FDM printers are the most common 3D printers in daily life. And 3D filament is the raw material used for printing with FDM printers. It is a thermoplastic material, which is made into very thin string (usually 1.75 millimeters) and wound around a spool.
The 3D filament is like the “ink” of an FDM printer, transforming digital models into physical objects. During the printing process, the FDM printer heats the 3D filament to a molten state. Then the 3D filament is extruded through the print head. Piled up layer by layer, the 3D filament eventually be cooled and solidified to form a three-dimensional object.
Common Types of 3D Filament
There are many options for 3D filaments depending on the material. You can choose appropriate filaments according to your needs. You can learn about different 3D filaments through the following video, and we will also provide you with more details to the common types of 3D filaments.
Polylactic Acid (PLA) Filament
PLA filament is the most commonly chosen filament by beginners. This filament is a very environmentally friendly material, made from renewable resources such as corn starch or sugarcane. Moreover, this material has a relatively low melting point and strong adhesion during printing. It does not produce any pungent smell during the printing process and is suitable for daily printing. However, due to its poor heat resistance and hardness, it is not suitable for items that need to be used outdoors.
Polyvinyl Alcohol (PVA) Filament
PVA filament is a relatively new support material in the field of 3D printing. It can be easily removed by dissolving in water without causing any damage to the finished product. Therefore, PVA is often used to manufacture support structures to help print out complex geometries.
Acrylonitrile Butadiene Styrene (ABS) Filament
ABS filament is a commonly used 3D printing consumable and is widely popular due to its excellent printing effect. Items made of ABS filament usually have high impact resistance and tensile strength. Therefore, ABS filament is suitable for making parts with complex structures that require certain strength.
Thermoplastic Polyurethane (TPU) Filament
TPU filament has excellent flexibility and wear resistance. It is often used to make parts that require softness or elasticity. However, for inexperienced users, printing TPU filament remains a challenge. It requires a very stable printing speed and precise temperature control.
Nylon Filament:
Nylon filament is one of the common high-performance materials in 3D printing. It is widely used in the manufacturing of industrial gears, tools, etc. Its outstanding wear resistance and impact resistance make it the preferred material for high-strength components and functional products. However, it has a strong hygroscopicity. Therefore, special attention should be paid to the drying treatment during the printing process.
Why Should You Store Your 3D Filament Properly
1. Keep Your 3D Filament Dry
Moisture in the filament may cause quality issues such as bulging on the surface of the printed items. In severe cases, a wet filament can even cause the 3D printer head to get clogged. This will lead to you having to spend more on maintaining the 3D printer. Therefore, you need to store your 3D filament correctly to keep it dry.
2. Prevent Your 3D Filament From Deforming or Knotting
Improper storage may cause a series of physical structural problems with 3D filaments, such as filament deformation or knotting. These situations may lead to unstable material supply and uneven extrusion during the printing process. This will affect the quality of the model, causing problems such as poor interlayer adhesion and rough surface. At the same time, this may also cause printer malfunctions, such as clogging the 3D printer head.
3. Have a Good Printing Experience
Correct 3D filament storage not only concerns material protection but also directly affects the your printing experience. If you store 3D filaments reasonably, you will be able to quickly find the materials you need, significantly reducing the preparation time. In addition, a well-preserved filament can ensure the stability and consistency of material flow during the printing process, thereby improving the quality of the model and making you have smooth printing experience.
How to Store 3D Filament
The following video visually demonstrates two methods of storing filaments: sealed boxes and vacuum packaging. We will detail the steps for both methods and introduce a new storage approach using a professional drying box.
1. Sealed Box:
Sealed box is the simplest and most cost-effective storage method. It can meet the storage requirements of 3D filaments with general hygroscopicity (such as ABS, PLA, etc.). You can use any sealed container to get a sealed box.
- Choose the appropriate size of the container according to the size of the filament. You can put multiple filaments into one container. But if you have different types of 3D filaments, you need to place them in different containers.
- Put an adequate amount of desiccant in the container (50-100g for 1 roll of 3D filament).
- Seal the container, preferably using the lid that comes with it.
- Check the color of the desiccant every 1 to 2 weeks. If the color of the desiccant darkens, it indicates that the desiccant needs to be replaced.
- Observe the appearance of the 3D filament or use a small section for a test print to determine if it has been damp.
- If the 3D filament is in good condition, it can continue to be sealed and stored.
- If the 3D filament gets damp, it needs to be dried first and then stored in the sealed box again.
2. Vacuum Package:
For some 3D filaments with strong hygroscopicity (such as PVA, TPU, nylon, etc.), sealed boxes are not suitable for long-term storage. At such times, you need to vacuum pack the 3D filament.
- Before starting the operation, you need to wipe off the stains on the 3D filament with a dry cloth.
- If the 3D filament has been used, make sure there are no obvious signs of moisture on its surface.
- Put the 3D filament into the vacuum bag. To ensure that the edge of the reel does not puncture the bag, you can place soft paper cushioning at the corners of the reel.
- It is recommended that only 1-2 rolls of 3D filament be placed in one vacuum bag. Too many 3D filaments can easily lead to poor sealing and uneven force distribution during vacuuming.
- Push the 3D filament to one side of the vacuum bag and insert the bag opening into the vacuum machine. Before performing the vacuuming operation, you need to carefully read the manual of the vacuum machine you have purchased.
- Vacuum bags should be stored in a place away from direct sunlight.
3. Professional Drying Box
If you are pursuing professional-level printing effects, using a professional drying box can meet your needs. This method is relatively costly, but it has the best storage effect.
- Purchase a professional drying box based on the number of your 3D filaments.
- Place the drying box on a stable surface and connect the power supply.
- Set the humidity value you want through the knob or digital panel.
- After completing the Settings, you can directly place the clean 3D filament into the drying box. There is no need to purchase desiccants separately. The equipment will operate automatically and continuously dehumidify.
- You can observe the 3D wire through the hygrometer that comes with the drying box.
How to Solve Wet 3D Filament
If your consumables have become damp or you suspect they are, here are some drying devices:
Filament Dryer
You can choose to purchase a professional filament dryer to efficiently dry 3D filaments. You just need to put the 3D filament in, select the desired Settings, and then the dryer can start working. Some dryers are equipped with wire feeding devices that can be used simultaneously with printers. In this way, drying and printing can be carried out at the same time, saving your time and energy.
Food Dehydrator
When the food dehydrator is in operation, it releases heat and air flow, which can effectively dry smaller 3D filaments. Moreover, the operating temperature of this kind of equipment will not be very high, it can reduce the possibility of the filament melting.
Convection Oven
Household convection ovens can be used when set to a low and stable temperature. It is best to prepare an oven thermometer to measure the temperature more precisely and to understand whether the oven can accurately maintain the above temperature.
It should be noted that 3D filament, especially ABS, may emit unpleasant odors. Therefore, after the 3D filament has dried, you need to allow sufficient ventilation time. It is best not to continue processing food with a dehydrator or oven that has been used to dry the filament.
FAQs about Storing 3D Filament
1. Can I leave the 3D filament on the spool holder of my FDM printer?
It depends on the time of your next 3D printing. If you still need to use the same roll of filament for 3D printing on the same day, you can temporarily leave the filament on the spool holder of the printer. But it’s best to cover the 3D filament with cling film to prevent it from getting damp and gathering dust. If you do not need to continue 3D printing on the same day, you should immediately remove the unused 3D filament from the printer’s spool holder. And then, you need to store it in the correct way.
2. What are drying Setting for different 3D filaments?
The drying Settings for common 3D filament materials are as follows:
For PLA, dry at 55°C for 4 to 6 hours;
For PVA, dry at 50°C for 12–24 hours;
For ABS, dry at 70°C for 4 to 6 hours;
For TPU, dry at 50°C for 6–8 hours;
For nylon filament, dry at 80°C for 8–12 hours.
Conclusion
High-quality 3D filaments are the foundation for achieving perfect printing. Proper storage of 3D filaments not only enables you to find the filaments you need more quickly but also ensures that their quality does not deteriorate. Based on the above content, you can find the most suitable storage method for your 3D filaments.
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