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Filament Dryer

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docjjrmd

Well Known Member
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Starting to play with some of the more exotic engineering filaments. Besides requiring higher temps, bimetal or stainless nozzles, and enclosures, many suggest drying before use. For example, PPA-CF25 suggests drying at 80-90 C for 4 to 8 hours even if stored in a dehumidified environment.
So I am looking for suggestions for a dryer, what are any of the experts here using?
 
On my Bambulab X1C ,when printing those filament, I mainly use the Printer itself with the Filament drying function (directly on the heatbed). Then directly back into the AMS.
 
mr_matt said:
Bite the bullet and get the big fancy sunluu (if you are going to get into nylon material which I assume you will)
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Any knowledge of SOVOL or the CREALITY boxes? Seem similar to each other get to 85 C. The Sunluu looks like a monster at 115 C. At least I'm familiar with the Creality name though never used one of their printers or filaments.
 
I just use a standard fan-forced oven, monitor the temperature with a laser thermometer. Make sure any cooking residues are removed before use, to avoid contamination.
 
docjjrmd said:
Any knowledge of SOVOL or the CREALITY boxes? Seem similar to each other get to 85 C. The Sunluu looks like a monster at 115 C. At least I'm familiar with the Creality name though never used one of their printers or filaments.
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I have been using a Sunlu S2 for a couple of years. Does the job well. I ended up following some advice from Reddit and printed a piece to fit between the opening in the enclosure to set the angle of the filament leaving the dryer and to leave a small, known opening for moisture-laden air to escape. Would definitely do that again, as out of the box I had issues with the filament tubing getting pulled into the dryer.
 
docjjrmd said:
Starting to play with some of the more exotic engineering filaments. Besides requiring higher temps, bimetal or stainless nozzles, and enclosures, many suggest drying before use. For example, PPA-CF25 suggests drying at 80-90 C for 4 to 8 hours even if stored in a dehumidified environment.
So I am looking for suggestions for a dryer, what are any of the experts here using?
Click to expand...
heck I just pop mine in the oven. you just have to be sure what the spool material is. I have had the spool melt all over a perfectly fine filament :(
 
docjjrmd said:
Starting to play with some of the more exotic engineering filaments. Besides requiring higher temps, bimetal or stainless nozzles, and enclosures, many suggest drying before use. For example, PPA-CF25 suggests drying at 80-90 C for 4 to 8 hours even if stored in a dehumidified environment.
So I am looking for suggestions for a dryer, what are any of the experts here using?
Click to expand...
I think the question is why on the exotics at home. I ponder this myself pretty regularly; the cost of the filament, exotic nozzle requirements, high temperature+heated enclosure, pretty specialized print settings and build plates tend to point at outsourcing. Of course, I say all that as a guy with access to Markforged CCF 3D printers, so "outsourcing" means sending to the engineering team with the printers...but I've very very rarely had to do that. I say that as most parts for an RV can be done in ASA or PETG, or PETG-CF (atomic filaments) of you want some additional stiffness/better bonding.

For drying, I use a regular food dehydrator, then print from a sunlu s2 dry-box. Those have some issues with spool as you get towards the end; I've had a few jams as the force of filament feeding exceeds the weight of the spool riding on the bearings, so it moves and jams the unwinding.
 
F18Sailor said:
I think the question is why on the exotics at home. I ponder this myself pretty regularly; the cost of the filament, exotic nozzle requirements, high temperature+heated enclosure, pretty specialized print settings and build plates tend to point at outsourcing.
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Why, just to learn and conquer the challenge, kind of like building airplanes. I could always order out to a 3 d print shop but where's the fun in that!
 
docjjrmd said:
Why, just to learn and conquer the challenge, kind of like building airplanes. I could always order out to a 3 d print shop but where's the fun in that!
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This did have me hunting on the latest in CCF printing tech. If Fibreseek can deliver on the $3k printer + slicer, its a game changer for hobbyists/airplane builders/small aircraft shops.
 
I just bought the Creality SpacePi X4. Too early to say for sure if I like it, but first look it's great. I wanted a 4 roll dryer because I just ordered the new Flashforge Creator 5 Pro, the one with the tool changer, and wanted to be able to load everything in a dryer. I was between the that and the Chitu E1. I really liked the Chitu because it moved the screen to the end so it could sit turned so it takes up less space on the counter. I opted against it because the Creality would get to a higher temp and I wanted to dry Nylon and there were reviews that the Chitu case would soften and deform at higher temps. I will say since I got the Creality I REALLY wish it had the screen on the end. It just makes more sense to me so I kinda wish I had taken a chance. Beyond that I have nothing bad to say about the Creality machine.
 
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