One of the most important aspects of having a 3D printer is managing filament moisture. Most beginners often focus on slicer settings, bed adhesion, and many other aspects that would improve their prints.
However, when moisture is introduced into the play, it can compromise print quality, clog or damage the nozzles, and, in rare cases, cause damage to your 3D Printer.
Drying filaments is one of the most essential things, especially if you live in a humid environment.
In other words, regardless of how good your settings are or how expensive your filament is, moisture will still cause you monetary and time damage.
In this article, we will explore some of the most common drying mistakes made by beginners, the reasons behind them, and how to avoid them for a better, fuller, and more consistent printing experience.
1. Not Understanding Which Filaments Need Drying
The biggest mistake you can make is not knowing that filaments in general absorb moisture. However, some filaments are much more prone to this absorption than others. Moreover, even when a filament appears sealed or looks fine, assuming it is ready to print can cause printing failures.
Filaments absorb moisture from thin air. Some filaments can be affected by the humidity within just 24-48 hours, making your printing experience quite unpredictable. Moreover, in humid climates or during the monsoon season, filaments tend to absorb significantly more moisture due to their hygroscopic nature.
Materials like Nylon, PETG, and TPU are the most hygroscopic, meaning they absorb moisture much faster than other filaments, such as PLA. In other words, understanding which filaments need drying and under what conditions is the best thing you could do.
If you live in a humid environment, such as many places in Asia, you should assume that your filament needs to be dried unless it came out of a sealed bag with a desiccant.
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2. DIY Drying Mistakes
When it comes to drying filaments, most people opt for a DIY method. The most common way to dry a filament is to use your home oven, but it is also one of the riskiest options for beginners.
Here are some problems that you can potentially have while drying your filament in an oven:
- Most ovens are slightly off in terms of temperature control. Therefore, it may display 10-20 degrees higher or lower than the actual selection you make.
- A plastic spool may wrap or melt if the temperature is too high.
- If you leave the filament in for too long, it can cause the polymer to degrade.
The fix here is quite simple. If you must use an oven, consider using an oven thermometer to monitor the actual temperature and preheat it before placing the filament inside. You can also keep the oven door slightly open to prevent issues such as vapor buildup or overheating.
Still, the best thing you can do is use a filament dryer, which brings us to our next point.
3. Not Investing in a Filament Dryer
Many people opt for DIY methods, but for the most part, if you’re not already a pro, you might mess it up. That’s why filament dryers are often overlooked. However, having a filament dryer like the Chitu Systems FilaPartner E1 or 3D Printer is one of the best decisions you can make.
A filament dryer is a dedicated device designed to provide your filaments with the optimal temperature for them to thrive. Not buying a filament dryer will only hurt your 3D Printer results, especially if you live in a humid environment.
Here are some of the benefits that a filament dryer like FilaPartner E1 provides:
- Multiple Chambers: In only one dryer, you are getting two chambers where you can add up to four spools, making it easier for you to print.
- Dual Fans: In both chambers, you can adjust the temperature to your liking thanks to the dual fans added to the dryer.
- Automatic Drying: Unlike an oven, you don’t have to do any guesswork because the dryer automatically stops when it reaches a specific temperature.
- Real-Time Tracking: You can get real-time temperature, humidity, and drying countdown as well.
All in all, having the right filament dryer is also something you should opt for. There are many filament dryers on the market that are manual. However, with the future becoming more digital, having a filament that is cost-effective with all the latest features would be ideal for you.
4. Overdrying Filaments
While moisture is undesirable, drying your filaments too much can also be an issue. This is a common problem with PLA due to its complex nature. It doesn’t require a lot of heat to dry, but many people end up overheating it.
Here are some of the problems you can get if you end up overheating your filaments:
- Brittleness
- Change of Color
- Degraded performance in some filaments
- Loss of flexibility
Here is a complete guide to the ideal temperature for filaments if you want to dry and use them:
- PLA: 40- 45°C for 4 – 6 hours
- PETG: 55 – 65°C for 4 hours
- Nylon: 70 – 80°C for 8 – 12 hours
Not all filaments are the same, and if you treat them the same, you will encounter issues such as poor print quality or, in some cases, the entire print will fall off.
Final Verdict
There are many ways to dry your filaments, but thanks to the diversity of techniques, it is pretty common to make mistakes in them as well. With our guide, you will certainly learn exactly how to treat your filaments and print optimally.
Moreover, if you’re looking for 3D printer accessories of the highest quality, check out Chitu Systems.
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