The Simple Ways To Dry Filament for 3D Printing: PLA, ABS & Nylon

.shop-list { margin: 0 auto; width: 800px; } .shop-wrap { display: flex; flex-wrap: wrap; padding-bottom: 20px; border-bottom: 1px solid #A6A6A6; } .shop-img { width: 200px; } .text-content { flex: 1; } .btn-wrap { width: 100%; margin-top: 14px; display: flex; justify-content: flex-end; } .shop-btn { width: 120px; height: 28px; text-align: center; line-height: 28px; background-color: #D8383B; color: #ffffff; font-size: 15px; font-weight: 500; } .shop-title { width: 480px; text-align: center; margin: 0 auto; background-color: #d8383b; color: #fff; padding: 1px 75px; font-size: 15px; font-weight: 500; } .line { width: 100%; height: 3px; background-color: #D8383B; margin-bottom: 14px; } .text-link { font-size: 16px; font-weight: bold; color: #1C2AA3; } As you may know, the process of 3D printing necessitates extreme precision in every aspect, especially when it comes to the filament. Moisture can pose a significant threat to the quality of your prints, potentially causing issues like popping, stringing, and problems with layer adhesion. However, there's a solution - drying filament .

But how to dry filament ? The process involves the use of dry filament and meticulous drying techniques to restore the filament's optimal qualities, which subsequently leads to superior printing results.

This article will delve into effective methods of drying various types of filament, such as PLA, ABS, and Nylon.

But before we delve deeper into this topic, let's first understand the phenomenon of moisture absorption.

What is Moisture Absorption?

Drying Techniques

1. Oven

2. Food Dehydrator

3. Filament Dry Box

Filament Drying During Printing

1. Sticking to Drying Temperatures

2. Using a Filament Drying Box for Best Results

3. Checking Filament for Damage After Drying

What is Moisture Absorption? Most 3D printing filaments are hygroscopic, which means they take moisture from the air rapidly.

This absorbed moisture can cause many issues during printing:

Popping: During printing, moisture pockets within the filament rapidly evaporate, and that results in popping sounds and irregular extrusion. Stringing: Stringing occurs when stored moisture in the filament cools and forms stringy fibers between different regions of the print. Layer adhesion: Moisture can weaken the binding between layers, which results in delicate and easily damaged prints. Drying your filament effectively removes moisture, which can help to avoid these problems and ensure smooth, high-quality prints.

The recommended drying parameters for various filaments are as follows， and there are some excellent strategies for dealing with dampness.

Filament Dry before Use Dry in Use Creality Filament Dryer (Temp/℃) Creality Filament Dryer (Time/h) Blast Dryer (Temp/℃) Blast Dryer (Time/h) PLA, PLA-CF Suggest When ambient humidity exceeds 50% 55 8 - 12 50 - 60 8 PETG Suggest When ambient humidity exceeds 50% 60 8 - 12 65 8 ABS, ASA Suggest When ambient humidity exceeds 50% 65 8 - 12 70 - 80 8 PC Must Must / / 80 - 100 8 TPU Must Must 70 8 - 12 65 - 75 8 PA, PA-CF Must Must / / 80 - 90 8 - 12 PAHT-CF/GF Must Must / / 80 - 100 4 - 8 PPA-CF Must Must / / 100 - 120 8 - 12 PET-CF Must Must / / 100 - 120 8 PPS, PPS-CF/GF Must Must / / 130 - 140 8 PVA Must Must 70 16 75 - 85 8 - 12 BVOH Must Must 65 8 - 16 60 6 - 16 Support for PLA Suggest When ambient humidity exceeds 50% 60 8 - 12 60 - 70 6 - 8 Support for PA Must Must 70 16 75 - 85 8 - 12 Note: When drying, be aware that if the drying temperature exceeds the heat resistance of the tray, it may deform or melt.

Drying Techniques There are several methods for drying filament that can be helpful during the process:

1. Oven: To begin with, the oven is a conveniently available choice for drying filament very close to you. However, it's critical to keep an eye on the temperature to avoid surpassing the filament's glass transition temperature, which can cause distortion or damage.

The suitable temperatures that you need for each kind of filament to dry are as follows:

PLA: 40-45°C ABS: ~80°C Nylon: ~80°C The Simple Steps To Follow:

Set the oven's temperature to the desired setting. Set the filament spool on a baking sheet or pan that can withstand and bear the heat. Bake the filament for four to six hours at least, or as directed by the manufacturer. Pay close attention to the temperature during the procedure, otherwise it can be a mess. Before utilizing the filament, allow it to cool fully after finishing. There you go!

2. Food Dehydrator: This is another method of drying filament that is gentler when using a food dehydrator. They are perfect for delicate materials because they function at a lower temperature than ovens.

Suitable temperatures for the filaments that you need to know are:

PLA: 40-45°C ABS: ~80°C (or the highest available temperature) Nylon: ~80°C (or the highest available temperature) The Simple Steps To Follow:

Set the filament spool on a spotless tray inside the dehydrator carefully. Now, it's time to adjust the temperature to your preferred/desired setting. Dry the filament for four to six hours, or as advised by the manufacturer. Keep an eye on the process's humidity and temperature so that you won't have any problems. Before using the filament, allow it to cool fully after finishing.

3. Filament Dry Box: The best and most practical way to store and dry filament for a long time is with a specialized dry box.

With the option to eliminate moisture from the filament, these trays can be heated to produce a controlled environment with low humidity.

And since these boxes are made for drying the filaments at different times, they always give you the desired results and they have lots of benefits.

Benefits You Need To Know

It does its job really well in regular drying circumstances and has comparatively fewer issues than most available options for drying. It prevents moisture absorption by filament along with the entire process of drying. It shields and protects your filament against dirt and dust and gives you the perfect results every time you use it.

Now you might ask, there are so many brands that sell filament dry boxes in the market, which one should I go for and how would I know that it's best for me?

Well, here is the answer.

Let me tell you about the Creality Filament Dry Box 2.0, which is pretty popular among its customers because of its simpler usage and the perfect results.

Filament Drying During Printing Moisture-sensitive filaments must remain dry during printing to avoid moisture absorption, which can impact the surface quality and strength of the printed item. As depicted in the figure below, users can choose from three drying methods: a regular non-heated drying box, a heatable drying box by Creality, and the Creality CFS multi-color filament box.

Creality Space Pi Filament Dryer Plus CFS - Creality Filament System: $69.00 【Multi-Color Printing, Up to 16 Colors Using 4 CFS】 【Snap-away Support Enabled】 【Sensors for Advanced Intelligence】 【Auto Filament Identification| Mapping| Switch & Relay】 【Moisture-proof Filament Storage】 VIEW DEAL Creality CFS -Creality Filament System CFS - Creality Filament System: $299.00 【Multi-Color Printing, Up to 16 Colors Using 4 CFS】 【Snap-away Support Enabled】 【Sensors for Advanced Intelligence】 【Auto Filament Identification| Mapping| Switch & Relay】 【Moisture-proof Filament Storage】 VIEW DEAL Hot FAQs about How to Dry Filament 1. What is the best way to dry filament? The best way to dry filament is by using a filament dryer. This device is designed to heat the filament to a specific temperature that removes moisture without melting the filament. You can also use an oven set at a low temperature, but you need to monitor it closely to prevent the filament from melting.

2. How long should I dry my filament? The drying time for filament can vary depending on the type of filament and the amount of moisture it has absorbed. However, a general guideline is between 4 to 6 hours. Some types of filament may require longer drying times, up to 12 hours.

3. Can I still print with filament that has not been dried? Yes, you can still print with filament that has not been dried, but the quality of the print may be affected. Moisture in the filament can cause issues such as bubbling, inconsistent extrusion, and weaker prints. Therefore, it's recommended to always dry your filament before use, especially if it's been exposed to a humid environment.

A Comprehensive Guide on Drying Filament: Techniques for PLA, ABS & Nylon

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A Comprehensive Guide on Drying Filament: Techniques for PLA, ABS & Nylon

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