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prusanewuser
(@prusanewuser)
Prominent Member
dehydrated PLA appears to be curly

Hi, I put two PLA rolls in a food dehydrator and set to about 130F for four hours. When I took them out, they appeared to be curly. Is this normal?  I did not pay attention if they were curly or not before I put them in. How do I know if it works or not without trying to print using these rolls?

Posted : 23/10/2020 9:49 pm
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(@)
Illustrious Member
RE: dehydrated PLA appears to be curly

130f is a bit hot for PLA, and may have damaged it.  Why? Because many dehydrators aren't that accurate, and a 130f setting may actually reach 140f when it cycles.  Most recommendations are 120f / 50c. 

Posted : 23/10/2020 9:57 pm
prusanewuser
(@prusanewuser)
Prominent Member
Topic starter answered:
RE: dehydrated PLA appears to be curly
Posted by: @tim-m30

130f is a bit hot for PLA, and may have damaged it.  Why? Because many dehydrators aren't that accurate, and a 130f setting may actually reach 140f when it cycles.  Most recommendations are 120f / 50c. 

Ops! Is the only way to find out is to try printing using these filaments?

Are those PrintDry dryers better?

Posted : 23/10/2020 10:04 pm
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(@)
Illustrious Member
RE: dehydrated PLA appears to be curly

https://www.printdry.com/how-to-dry-filaments/

Posted : 24/10/2020 2:33 am
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(@)
Illustrious Member
RE: dehydrated PLA appears to be curly

Print-Dry products probably better control of temps (you'd need to ask them). My dryer has a bi-metal thermostat, bounces around quite a bit - spans about 5c/7f around set point.  Early on I also tried drying some parts I had made at 60c before committing a spool of filament: hence the knowledge 60c is too hot for PLA (parts came out very distorted).  

There is a rather long thread about drying experiments done.

https://forum.prusa3d.com/forum/original-prusa-i3-mk3s-mk3-general-discussion-announcements-and-releases/drying-times-and-temps-in-dehydrator

Posted : 24/10/2020 2:49 am
prusanewuser
(@prusanewuser)
Prominent Member
Topic starter answered:
RE: dehydrated PLA appears to be curly
Posted by: @tim-m30

Print-Dry products probably better control of temps (you'd need to ask them). My dryer has a bi-metal thermostat, bounces around quite a bit - spans about 5c/7f around set point.  Early on I also tried drying some parts I had made at 60c before committing a spool of filament: hence the knowledge 60c is too hot for PLA (parts came out very distorted).  

There is a rather long thread about drying experiments done.

https://forum.prusa3d.com/forum/original-prusa-i3-mk3s-mk3-general-discussion-announcements-and-releases/drying-times-and-temps-in-dehydrator

Yes, I know that thread. PLA was set to 65C. I worried that it might be a bit high so I chose somewhere between that and the one recommended by Print-Dry.

Posted : 24/10/2020 3:04 am
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(@)
Illustrious Member
RE: dehydrated PLA appears to be curly

@peter-c20

If you read the entire thread, the number is changed and 120f / 50c is the common value most use.

Posted : 24/10/2020 7:02 pm
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