Eureka Dry Tech ADL-3D77
Humidity Controlled Filament Storage Cabinet
Print Test Part 2
PETG / Nylon / ABS
The test for PETG / Nylon / ABS originally started at the same time as PLA / PVA / TPU. However, due to issues with the 3D printer and time restraints, the test for PETG / Nylon / ABS had to stop and wait for the Creality Ender 3 to complete testing PLA / PVA / TPU material first.
During this time, the filaments were stored in the same Eureka Dry Tech ADL-3D77 Filament Storage Cabinet in <10%RH to maintain in a dry state.
Hardware Utilized during this test:
- Creality Original Ender 3 purchased in 2018. Since we planned on printing TPU, a direct drive conversion was added as well as some LEDs to illuminate the print for time lapse photos.
- Testo 175-H1 Humidity / Temperature Data loggers were used inside and outside the cabinet to record the storage conditions during the test.
- Eureka Dry Tech ADL-3D77 <10%RH filament Storage Dry Cabinet
- Filament materials that were subject of this test were non-branded PLA, PVA, TPU, ABS, Nylon and PETG.
Note: The subject of the test was not specific to any filament brand but specific to each filament material. Some variance may be observed with different brands but overall effects of humidity exposure should be expected regardless of brand.
The intent of this test is to see:
- Whether storing filament in a 10% RH or less environment was beneficial to print quality?
- Whether exposure to 55% RH ambient environment affects the filaments print quality?
- Whether print quality can be restored by storing in Eureka Dry Tech's 3D Printing Filament Dry Cabinet?
Each test consists of 3 parts.
- 50mm extrusion feed thru hot end.
This is to observe whether any irregularity ( popping or sizzling) is observed when filament is passed thru the heated nozzle. - Filament flex test
This is to observe whether there are any stiffness or brittleness difference between dry and wet filament. - 3DBenchy Model Print test.
This is to observe whether print quality is affected between storage in humidity controlled environment versus storage in a uncontrolled ambient room condition. The same machine, same sliced file was used during each print.
During our first round of tests with PLA/PVA/TPU, we've learned a bit about cross contamination of polymers in the nozzle. We were experiencing serious extrusion issues when moisture soaked filaments were clogging the nozzles. Initially we were using the same nozzle with multiple filament, it was difficult for us to clearly determine whether clogs were caused by residual filament from the last print or whether the current printed filament was the cause.
When we encountered this issue the during the first round of test prints with PVA / PLA / TPU filaments our solution was to change the nozzle after each print. However, this in itself created another issue with the threads on the heat block stripping. So our solution for this round of prints is to swap out the entire assembly below the heat sink, i.e. section of PTFE, heat break, heat block, and nozzle. This process takes a bit more time between prints. But this method prevented any chances of cross contamination and minimal damage to printing hardware.
We began the test by calibrating the filament for our printer with the least of amount of defects as possible (i.e. stringing, over/under extrusion etc.).
Once the calibration is completed we will perform the following tests.
- Prior to each print we will perform a flex test by folding the filament to see if the stiffness has changed.
- An extrusion test to see if any moisture is observed such as popping/hissing/bubbling by extruding 50mm of material thru the hotend at calibrated printed temperature.
- Print the 3DBenchy model. We will establish a "dry filament" base line print. Then begin exposing the filament to the humidity in the room without any humidity controlled storage. Then when the filament is completely soaked we will place the filament back in the ADL-3D77 to see whether print quality can be restored.
- PETG - 3D Benchy Test Print Results
-
PETG open package and Flex Test 07-07-20
PETG 3D Benchy Test Print
PETG Print Test Week 1 10/5/20~10/9/20
Conditions inside the cabinet
Conditions of the test room
10/09/20
No print test performed on this date.
PETG Print Test Week 2 10/12/20~10/16/20
Conditions inside the cabinet
Conditions of the test room
PETG Print Test Week 3 10/19/20~10/23/20
Conditions inside the cabinet
Conditions of the test room
PETG Print Test Week 4 10/26/20~10/30/20
Conditions inside the cabinet
Conditions of the test room
- Nylon- 3D Benchy Test Print Results
-
Nylon open package and Flex Test 07-07-20
Nylon 3D Benchy Test Print
Nylon Print Test Week 1 10/5/20~10/9/20
Conditions inside the cabinet
Conditions of the test room
10/06/20
No print test performed on this date.
10/09/20
No print test performed on this date.
Nylon Print Test Week 2 10/12/20~10/16/20
Conditions inside the cabinet
Conditions of the test room
Nylon Print Test Week 3 10/19/20~10/23/20
Conditions inside the cabinet
Conditions of the test room
Nylon Print Test Week 4 10/26/20~10/30/20
Conditions inside the cabinet
Conditions of the test room
- ABS - 3D Benchy Test Print Results
-
ABS open package and Flex Test 07-07-20
ABS 3D Benchy Test Print
ABS Print Test Week 1 10/5/20~10/9/20
Conditions inside the cabinet
Conditions of the test room
10/06/20
No print test performed on this date.
10/09/20
No print test performed on this date.
ABS Print Test Week 2 10/12/20~10/16/20
Conditions inside the cabinet
Conditions of the test room
ABS Print Test Week 3 10/19/20~10/23/20
Conditions inside the cabinet
Conditions of the test room
ABS Print Test Week 4 10/26/20~10/30/20
Conditions inside the cabinet
Conditions of the test room
