Blog

Mar 09, 2023

What Is a Filament Dryer and Why You Need One?

Using moist filament can cause all sorts of issues, which is why a filament

Using moist filament can cause all sorts of issues, which is why a filament dryer is a useful piece of equipment.

If you see bubbles forming when your filament is extruding or hear popping and cracking sound, it's likely that it has absorbed moisture. To fix the issue, you must get a filament dryer to help ensure your filament is always moisture-free, as the moisture can wreak havoc on 3D printing by causing issues like weak spots and fuzzy surfaces on the prints.

As the name suggests, a filament dryer is a device used to dry the filament of a 3D printer. It works by heating the filament to a temperature that will remove the moisture it might have absorbed.

A filament dryer comes with a timer that you can use to monitor the temperature, and it ensures the filament is heated consistently and at the correct temperature. You can set an exact amount of time the filament must be heated, and you will not need to monitor it constantly as it won't pass the limit you set. The fan in the box helps circulate the heat so that every part of the filament is heated appropriately.

The main benefits of using a filament dryer are as follows:

Different types of filament dryers are available; below, we describe the main ones to consider.

Instead of buying a filament dryer, you can build your own at home if you are a techie or a DIY enthusiast. Building one is a relatively simple process and can be done with minimal tools and materials. The basic dryer design includes a small box with a heater, fan, power source, and temperature display. The heater will warm the air inside the box, and the fan will circulate it. The display is for checking the temperature.

After you have built your dryer, you can add a desiccant material, such as silica gel, to absorb moisture in the surrounding of the box and to increase the efficiency of the drying process. You can use any type of box to build the dryer, but you have to ensure it is moisture-proof. Also, when building it, ensure that the fan can move easily to circulate the heated air throughout the filament dryer so that all the parts of the filament can get sufficient heat.

The EIBOS filament dryer works as a filament dryer, filament store box, and filament holder. It features an adjustable temperature and humidity monitor for controlling the temperature of your filaments. The temperature settings are usually shown on the LCD.

The EIBOS filament dryer is compatible with all the common filament types and sizes. Those with 1.75mm, 2.85mm, and even 3mm thickness can fit easily, and you can dry two spools at a time. You can also use your filament while still in the dryer.

The Sovol filament dryer works both as a filament dryer and a filament box. It has a hygrometer that helps you know the dryer's humidity, while a 12V 4010 fan allows good air circulation inside it to ensure that the filament heats evenly. You can also see the temperature and humidity display in real-time. With this filament dryer, you can dry two standard filament spools or one single big roll.

The SainSmart dryer has an advanced heating mechanism and adjustable heat setting to regulate the dryer's temperature. The polyimide heater in the box heats up rapidly, and the curved metal then transfers the heat evenly to other parts with the help of the fan at the bottom.

Setting the proper temperatures in the SainSmart dryer is simple, as you are given only three options to choose from depending on your filament type. Like most dryers, SainSmart also supports different filament sizes and weights.

The Creality filament dryer box is compatible with most of the filaments that are 1kg, and it can adapt to various diameters. It is dust and moisture-free, making it helpful in drying and storing filaments.

The Creality filament dryer box also features two circulation fans that ensure heat circulates evenly on the box. In addition, its rotary knob makes it easier to adjust the heating time and temperature. You can heat the filament for 2 to 8 hours.

If you don't have the money to buy a filament dryer and you have a smart oven for everyday cooking, you can use that instead. All you need to do is set the appropriate drying temperature for your material—for example, 40–50°C for PLA, or 80°C for nylon and ABS. Then, wait until it reaches that specific temperature before placing the filament inside, and leave it for several hours to dry.

Even if you live in a dry area, it's always a good practice to dry your filament before you put it into your 3D printer to avoid many issues down the road, and this means a filament dryer is a must-have device in your 3D printing arsenal.

Not only does the filament dryer help to avoid issues with your prints, it will also help you save money that you would have spent purchasing other filaments to replace the ones damaged by moisture.

Sammy has been covering 3D printing and 3D modeling topics since 2017. He has written for various websites, including All3DP (one of the most popular 3D printing magazines), 3Dsourced, and 3DWithUs. He owns six 3D printers, and when he is not writing, you will find him designing and 3D printing objects.He is currently pursuing a Masters Degree in Information Technology.