In order to get the best and most reliable results when using your 3D printer filament, it is important that you store it properly, and perhaps even dry it to remove and excess moisture from the material.
With this article, we will cover the basics of storing 3D printer filament, including filament dry bags, mention some of the best vacuum storage bags, storage boxes and more. So if you are looking for filament storage ideas keep reading. Enjoy!
Why Should You Keep Filament Dry?
Most filaments can absorb moisture from humidity in the air and other environmental factors, which can lead to many different issues once the filament is heated up and used in your 3D printer.
Such common problems can be stringing or oozing, where the 3D filament fails to adhere properly once it comes out of the nozzle. You might also have issues with the layers being inconsistent as the moisture can have an impact on the way the material cools down and settles.
There can also be issues with the final prints having blobs or zits that protrude out from the layers, as the air will create small bubbles that can ruin the look and texture of the models. In some cases, people even have problems with the nozzle clogging due to the extra moisture.
Finally, depending on how badly the filament has been affected by the moisture, some models might even be less durable and can even have a cloudy or hazy look to the exterior, that can not easily be fixed by polishing the models. So it is important to keep your filament dry if you want the best results every time.
How to Dry Wet Filament?
If your 3D filament has been exposed to moisture and is causing issues, you can often salvage it by carefully drying it. There are various 3D printer filament drying methods available, so you can choose the one that best suits your needs.
Desiccant
Storing your 3D filament in airtight boxes goes a long way in keeping your filament ready to use. And if you add desiccant bags to your boxes, they will not only keep already dry filament good but can even help remove excess moisture from the already damaged filament. It will take some time, however, so if you are in a hurry and want to print soon, keep reading below.
Dryer
Next, you can also use a 3D filament dryer. These are commercial machines that typically take a single roll of filament at a time, and dries the material effectively. They allow for better control over the temperature and other options for different types of filament, such as PLA, ABS and so on, allowing you to set the perfect PETG drying temperature every time. You can even use the dryer to store your filament rolls when not in use.
Oven
Finally, using your basic oven at home can be a quick and easy solution to dry wet filament, but it will be more risky and less precise. Typically you will set the temperature around 50-60 degrees Celsius, in order to remove the moisture and avoid melting the plastic polymers. You can keep the oven door slightly open and stick in a thermometer to make sure the temperature stays correct. It should be heated this way for 1-4 hours, depending on the amount of moisture and types of material.
How to Store 3D Printer Filament Properly?
You can make use of specialized PLA filament storage containers, vacuum bags or more, in order to keep your filament properly sealed to nip wet in the bud and avoid having to make use of 3D printer filament drying methods ( excess drying work ).
Vacuum bag
A vacuum bag is an effective solution to keeping your 3D filament rolls safe and sound. They come with a small hole in the bag, and a suction pump that will remove all the air from inside once you have sealed the top.
This way no air will get in or out, ensuring that your filament keeps dry. It is important to only add 3D printer filament that is already dry, as the vacuum bags will not also remove any moisture that is already present in the rolls.
These can be reused and cleaned for many years and make a great addition to your cart, especially when purchasing more Geeetech filament. They are easy to use and the transparent bags makes it quick to see which roll you want to use next.
DIY storage box
Next up we have a DIY filament storage box that you can design yourself. The basic principle behind these boxes, is to have an airtight/sealed lid that prevents air from entering or leaving. You can buy premade containers for food, or make your own special prints.
On top of that, you can find designs from 3D model websites that include access points that make it easy to use when printing, without removing the individual rolls from their storage units. Some designs even include humidity sensors that can alert you if anything is critical.
Conclusion
That wraps up this article where we covered some different filament storage ideas, that you hopefully can make use of in the future. We also hope to have inspired you to try one of the 3D printer filament drying methods that we mentioned, in order to save your existing materials. Have fun and happy printing!