Moist-X-tractor (Dehydrator)

thingiverse

ABS is a great plastic, but its hygroscopic properties cause it to absorb humidity from the air, leading to two serious problems. Firstly, it swells the plastic slightly, distorting fine tolerances expected by many 3-D printers and causing blockages, jamming, and stretching of Bowden tubes. Secondly, the high temperature required to print ABS - around 240C - can turn absorbed moisture into steam as the plastic is extruded, resulting in spitting and erratic plastic flow. Determined to find a solution after losing my second print head due to likely causes related to these problems, I sought inspiration from an unexpected source. My wife's solution to our downstairs room issues sparked an idea. She uses plastic buckets that dehumidify the rooms, tackling condensation on windows and mould in cupboards during winter, as well as sea mist that raises relative humidity to 70% or higher during summer. I requested a similar bucket and rigged up an old computer cooling fan with a plastic storage box, inserting reels of ABS filament. After weeks, I returned to find the creamy, bubble-free ABS was delightful to work with. To show my gratitude and boost sales (though not seriously), I designed a proper fan mount and rotating exhaust vent to direct dry air towards the reels. This setup also allows me to store dehydrated bags of silica in plastic bags for long-term storage. However, it's crucial to note that the dehumidifier chemical works by dissolving itself, resulting in strongly caustic liquid that can burn skin. Therefore, follow manufacturers' directions for safe disposal and handling.