I know it's covered, I just can't seem to find it. Drying multiple filament types at once
Hello Friends.
As the title says, what's the consensus on this? Can I dry filament of different types together? PETG, PLA, TPU all in one dehydrator? I'm using an excalibur 9 tray model. I can fit 12-14 spools at once plus the various dececant containers I have. I use a variety of filaments depending on applications as well as my MMU and dual nozzle Raise3D pro 3. This results in lots of open spools. Drying two spools of pla, then 4 spools of PETG, and then maybe 1 spool of TPU at a time in the dryer seems wasteful and very time consuming. Is it as simple as time/temp? Can I set the machine to the lowest material temp, toss them all in together and just dry it longer to dry the higher temp polymers? Or, as I assume, does the higher temp polymers require higher temps to release the H2O? So no matter how long at 55c I dry it for, my PC won't dry adequetly?
Sorry, I know this is likely here somewhere, but I don't seem to know the correct search terms to put toghether to find where this answer might be.
Thanks as always for any time you can share on the topic.
They can all go in together - *any* drying helps most filaments. After sufficient time for low temp filaments remove them, crank up temperatures if needed and give the high temp filaments a little more time, but they're at least half dried already...
Cheerio,
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@zombipach
I dry my PLA,PETG,TPU/TPE and ABS's together all the time, and I mean all the time, Daily. I have my PrintDry system set at 40C and I just let it ride and it works for all of them. I only crank it up for PC and PA's (nylons) and I remove the lower temp filaments when doing that. I do believe it helps that I keep my filaments dry and reseal them using a FoodSaver vacuum sealer.
The idea is to add enough kinetic energy to the material to allow the water molecules to release.
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Thank you for your replies and advice. The reasoning seems sound. The vacuum sealer is a whole other conversation. I went down a rabbit hole on that one recently. Apparently the vacuum seal bags can actually allow water to pass through and the filament can still absorb water. That’s why some manufacturers use Mylar bags on the more expensive/engineering grade materials. It won’t allow water to pass. I know we’re slicing things very thin and there’s all sorts of variables to contend with, but damn. Unless you buy an active dehumidifying cabinet (outside my price range for the size I would need), I feel like I’m fighting a losing battle. Especially with my nylon and pc filaments. I guess I should be grateful I can’t print with PEEK and PEKK lol.
RE: I know it's covered, I just can't seem to find it. Drying multiple filament types at once
@zombipach
The reports are greatly exaggerated, I've been using the regular foodsaver bags for years with a desiccant satch, I have some filaments that have been in them for up to seven years, High grade engineering quality ABS, and have removed the material and printed with it without issue. I use it for every type of filament, so far without indecent. the only struggle has been with really large spools, oversized like the ones prusa sends out with its machines.
It's not a loosing battle, it works tried and true. Another thing is, If your printing directly out of the dryer that should also improve the filaments printing performance.
The combination of the two works wonderfully.
RE: I know it's covered, I just can't seem to find it. Drying multiple filament types at once
I too use an Excalibur 9. I do 120F for 24 hours, and just toss in whatever I have open. Then the spools go into Rubbermaid cereal containers along with some desiccant packets. Works a treat for me. PLA, PetG, TPU, nylon. Zero wetness issues for me. Been doing that for maybe two years.
Don’t trust forum advice.
RE: I know it's covered, I just can't seem to find it. Drying multiple filament types at once
Great input everyone. Thanks again!
RE: I know it's covered, I just can't seem to find it. Drying multiple filament types at once
My 'dehydrator' is the Ninja Cooker set on dehydrate mode and it will only hold one spool.
However, no matter what filament it is, I've found that 120F/49C overnight works just fine for PLA/PETg/ABS.
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Well, completely ignorant on this subject, so it is time to get up to speed.
Probably so. I would expect you can dry all the filaments together. They are not going to react.
You should just have to go longer at lower temperatures.
1. Watch the temp. Higher drying temperatures can damage your filament.
See this site.
”Also note that using a drying temperature that is too highcan cause the material to crystallize and become glassy when it cools again; making it less pliant when fed into 3D printers. Paying attention to the drying temperature is critical.”
Hello Friends.
As the title says, what's the consensus on this? Can I dry filament of different types together? PETG, PLA, TPU all in one dehydrator?
RE: I know it's covered, I just can't seem to find it. Drying multiple filament types at once
I also think that an ounce of prevention (don't open filament before you use it, storage dryboxes, etc) is worth far more than a pound of cure, as in dehydrating it via controlled heat.