September 27, 2020
SAFETY HACKS TO STORE 3D PRINTER FILAMENT - MAKENICA 3D
3D PRINTER FILAMENT are the raw material of 3D printing. They are the feedstock used for creating a three-dimensional model. Read full blog to know more
3D printing filaments are the raw material of 3D printing service. They are the feedstock used for creating a three-dimensional model via fused deposition modelling 3D printers.
There are several types of 3D Printer 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.
Filament Basics
3D Printer Filaments used in 3D printing services in India are thermoplastics, which are plastics (aka polymers) that melt rather than burn when heated, can be shaped and molded, and solidify when cooled.
The filament is fed into a heating chamber in the printer’s extruder assembly, where it is heated to its melting point and then extruded (squirted) through a metal nozzle as the extruder assembly moves, tracing a path programmed into a 3D object file to create, layer by layer, the printed object.
Although most 3D printers of online 3D Printing services have a single extruder, there are some dual-extruder models that can print an object in different colours or with different filament types.
The process of printing with plastic filament is called either fused filament fabrication (FFF) or fused deposition modeling (FDM). They’re the same thing; the FDM acronym is trademarked by 3D printing pioneer Stratasys Corp., so other manufacturers created their own names to describe their printers’ technology; FFF is the one that caught on. Even today, except in some manufacturers’ brochures, you’ll see the names used interchangeably.
3D Printer Filament is sold in spools by weight ranging from 0.5 kilogram to 2 kilograms. The filament comes in two thicknesses, 1.75 millimeters and 3 millimeters. (The latter is in reality a little thinner, about 2.85 millimeters.) The vast majority of filament is of the 1.75-millimeter type; Ultimaker and LulzBot are among the few manufacturers whose printers use the thicker size. Weight is almost always listed in metric units.
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WHY SHOULD 3D PRINTER FILAMENTS BE STORED PROPERLY?
Most of the materials used for 3D printing service in India 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 online 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 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 with affordable 3D Printing services.
Polymaker PolyBox Edition II
Polymaker PolyBox Edition II is the elitist container when it comes to storing filaments of online 3D Printing India. 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 in your 3D Printing company Bangalore.
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.
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 in your 3D Printing companies 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 of online 3D Printing, 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 for different 3D Printing companies. 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 in storage. To prevent this, you should properly store the material with filament clips. There are several kinds of filament clips for affordable 3D Printing services 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 on both sides of the dust filter case.
General Tips
- Keep all of your filaments in a dark, dry, sealed place. All types of filaments are susceptible to moisture (some more than others-Flexible especially) and when they are exposed to humidity the filament can become saturated. The water in the filament evaporates as the filament goes through the extruder, causing inconsistencies in the amount of material extruded and lowering your print quality. Different options are available such as SpaceSaver bags, large tupperware containers, dehydrators, desiccant packets, etc.
- Consider printing a lubricator for your filament. It will protect your extruder and can increase the quality of your 3D prints online no matter what type of filament you are printing. It wipes away dirt and dust and causes less friction as the filament moves through the extrusion system.
- Make sure your filament is kept neat and untangled. Filament that gets tangled can damage your extruder, cause under extrusion in your part or even cause a part to fail.
- Spend some time getting to know each filament type, brand, and even colour you buy. Each will be different and require different settings. Print off a few benches and calibration prints. After each of these test prints, look at what issues they may have and make adjustments in your slicer. Some common places include extrusion temperature, retraction speed and distance, flow rate, and cooling percentage. This process will use up some filament and time, but will make the rest of the filament print much better and you will end up saving filament in the long run by avoiding ugly and failed prints with 3D Printing in India.
- Design with filament in mind. Be aware what filament will help you accomplish your design purpose and plan for the weaknesses that come with it.
- Check your filament manufacturer’s website for suggested settings. Many manufacturers of 3D Printing in India will give a range of extruder temperatures and bed temperatures that will work as well as other tips for printing with their specific filaments. They want you to succeed and make good prints so you keep buying filament from them with the right 3D Printing Quote!
How to Choose the Right 3D Printer Filament?
After you pick a 3D printer, the first decision you’ll have to make is what type of filament you want to use for 3D Printing online. There are several dozen varieties-even setting aside the numerous colours they come in.
Wading through them surfaces a string of chemical-sounding names: polylactic acid, polyvinyl alcohol, carbon fiber, and the tongue-twisty thermoplastic elastomers, for example. They go by a dizzying variety of acronyms, ABS, PLA, HIPS, CPE, PET, PETT, TPE, PVA, and PCTPE among them.
But don’t be dismayed by this alphabet soup. Only a few types are in common use, and manufacturers tend to eschew overly geeky monikers in favor of more descriptive names alluding to an essential quality of the filament such as flexibility (NinjaTek’s Ninjaflex and Polymaker’s Polyflex, for instance) and strength (Makerbot, XYZprinting, and Ultimaker all market filaments called Tough PLA).
CONCLUSION
The process of online 3D Printing services 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!