UM2E+ Dry-Filament-Dispenser

youmagine

The impact of humidity on filament for 3D printers can cause some major printing issues. All types of filament are hygroscopic, meaning they absorb moisture from the air. This has serious consequences, often disastrous, for the quality of the prints. In storing filament, you can eliminate moisture absorption by combining silica sachets with vacuum enclosure, giving your print a good start. However, during a typically long printing process, filament will be exposed to the air. With containers and dryers, you can reduce quality problems significantly while printing. But slow-moving and exposed filament is insufficient, and the energy consumption and fire hazard of a filament dryer left unattended for many hours are hazardous. After considering different options and combining existing products, I was still experiencing difficulty, and it seemed to me that to gain control over these moisture-related problems, I had to create my own printer-specific solution tailored to my needs. So I designed a container with a transit channel that seals filament from the environment as much as possible. It also absorbs ingressing moisture in a reservoir filled with silica granules placed in the lid. No moisture-related problem has occurred since the installation of the filament dispenser. No layer separation, no brittle print, or blob-forming due to humidity. Combined with a simple drying and storage protocol, this printer add-on proved to be effective. For me, this solution worked well, although the design is specific for the UM2 Ext+, I wanted to share my findings with the community and help in tackling a nasty problem. I hope the images and files are self-explanatory. If you have any questions, let me know. For the English version, go to: https://jim-kool.jimdofree.com/actueel/sub-home/03-filament-dispenser/