At the YouthQuest Foundation we have scores of Cube printers with an average inventory of 3 cartridges for each printer. The printers are not used on a daily basis. So, learning why and how filament degrades over time has been extremely important for us.
The problem came to the fore when 3D Systems first donated a number of 2nd Gen printers, The printers had been in inventory for a number of years. Even though the supplied filament was in sealed bags with packets of drying agent, all of the filament was brittle and easily clogged the printers. Fortunately, 3D Systems replaced all the filament. But, even this, too, showed some tendency to brittleness. With this in mind, we began to explore exactly why we were seeing what we were seeing. More importantly, we needed to find a solution that would minimize damage while the filament was being stored.
We THINK we have come up with the solution. It involves combining a dehydrating system to proactively remove existing moisture from filament and a sealed storage system with a robust dehydration system.
DEHYDRATION SYSTEM
Since the problem of moisture affecting filament is common to ALL 3D printers, there are a number of new dehydration systems being developed specifically designed for filament. But, the most interesting ones have yet to be released. So, we looked for alternatives. And, they came in the form of food dehydrators. Here is the one that we recommend... the NESCO FD77DT Digital Food Dehydrator:
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| Nesco FD77DT Food Dehydrator |
It is important to purchase a digital dehydrator that allows you to set a precise time and temperature as different types of filament require different times and temperatures. This model can be found for under $80. One of the main reasons we like this brand and model is the way air is distributed ACROSS each layer. We open the Cube2 cartridges and only put the cardboard cartridges in the dehydrator. For Cube 3 cartridges, we open the cover and put the uncovered base and reel in the dehydrator. For our initial tests, we set it at 45C degrees and run it for 4 hours. This could be refined as we gain more experience.
STORAGE POLICY
From now on, we will no longer leave filament in the printers between print sessions... even if it only means leaving it in the printer overnight! The only exception to this are the CubePro printers which we now treat as closed filament storage systems with their own dehydrator.
STORAGE SYSTEM
Some time ago, we had decided to store filament in large plastic boxes with sealed tops and single use moisture remover. But, it turns out that using a simple 5 gallon bucket with a special sealed screw-on top is an even better solution. We go right from the food dehydrator into a bucket.
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| 5 Gallon Bucket |
We pair the bucket with a special sealed screw-on top. The Gamma Seal top is the key to the ability to ensure a moisture barrier. Because we wanted to color code our storage, we have purchased both buckets and tops from both Home Depot (Red/White bucket and Black top) and Lowes (Blue bucket and white top).
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| Gamma Seal Top |
The last part of the storage system is a cost effective way to ensure the lowest moisture levels in the bucket. We could use packets, as we previous used with the plastic boxes. But, we found what we believe to be a MUCH better solution, the Lagute Adenium L-A01 Renewable Wireless Mini Dehumidifier.
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| Lagute Mini-Dehumidifier |
The beauty of this system is two-fold. First, it is a perfect size. And, secondly, there is a window that allows you to determine when the beads in the dehumidifier need to be recharged. To recharge the system you simply plug it in over night! We use the same dehumidifier inside the CubePro.
So far, it looks like the dehumidifier takes the relative humidity under 22% in a single day. It may ultimately go lower if I could only resist opening the bucket to check it! :)
MODIFYING THE DRYING RACKS
In order to fit a cartridge into the food dryer, the standard racks with have to be alternated with racks that have been cut to remove the grill. But, extra FD-77DT racks are relatively inexpensive and can be purchased locally at Bed Bath & Beyond. I believe it cost about $14 for a set of two extra racks.
I would not buy the actual NESCO DEHYDRATOR model that can be found on the shelves in Bed, Bath & Beyond Stores. It will work; but, it has no off-on switch or timer. Buy online to get the digital model. Sears seemed to have the lowest price. But, shipping is not as fast as Amazon.
I fully expect that using these tools we may be able to save filament we otherwise might have had to discard. But, at the very least it is going to protect our future filament investments.
I've been teaching students on several Cube 3rd generation 3D printers from 3D Systems. The printers themselves are good machines. The plastic quality has been very poor. I have to request replacements for half of the cartridges. What has your experience been?
ReplyDeleteThe dividing line between poor filament and good filament seemed to coincide with the introduction of the small window that gives us access to the filament with a pair of pliers should it become stripped.
ReplyDeleteBut, I have a bunch of the old filament and will see if treating it with heat will revitalize it.
What I started doing on my 3rd gen Cube cartridges is removing the top panel, cutting it about in half, and then re-installing. That allows much easier reloading of filament if needed. And broken / stripped filament is distressingly common, at least in my experience.
ReplyDeleteI can't tell you how many prints I had to toss because of filament failure somewhere past 1/3 done - I try to monitor while printing, but once a long job got solidly started, I would let them run overnight. Suffice to say I learned my lesson, and don't use the Cubes for big prints anymore.
Hi Gary,
ReplyDeleteRecent deliveries of filament include a little window that allow us to use pliers to push up on filament that shows signs of stripping.
While I'm still testing heated/dried Cube3 filament, the Cube2 filament (packaged in 2013!) usefulness was definitely improved by the heating/drying process.
I will know better after this week whether there is actual restoration/improvement in Cube 3 cartridges as I have some old reels that were previously impossible to use for a sizable part.
Hi i read your this post and the points you mentioned about dehumidifier is very good. If you don't mind i am gonna suggest you to must try for the Gurin's Wireless Dehumidifier for the better experience.
ReplyDeleteThe Gurin would be a good choice.
DeleteBut, what we REALLY need is a dehumidifier like the Gurin that is ROUND. More specifically, about 4" around so that it can be used in canisters for small filament reels and buckets for larger cartridges and reels. We do not need the volume that a Gurin might contain because the containers would be smaller than a closet and completely enclosed. If you are with Gurin, i would be happy to go into detail.
I use the Rosewill RHFD-15001 which costs about $40. It is round and comes with stacking plastic trays; it's easy to clip the spokes out of the trays with wire cutters and then it can hold filament spools of almost any height. It has temperature control but no timer (you can use an external timer of course).
ReplyDeleteI use a Rosewill RHFD0-15001 ($35 prime on amazon: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B018UR4XJI) which is round and has temperature control (but no timer - obviously you can add an external timer). It comes with several stacking plastic trays and you can easily clip out the spokes from a few trays to allow an arbitrarily tall filament stack. It works well.
ReplyDelete