Sealed Filament Dry Box with Bearings and Hygrometer

Filaments like TPU and PETG need drying for the best 3D printing results. Even with dedicated filament dryers, the vents allow moisture to absorb back into the filament quickly.
Since it takes hours to dry, it is inconvenient to dry every time you need a print. The solution is a sealed dry box that you can feed to the printer.
3D print links:
www.printables...
www.thingivers...
makerworld.com...
Sensor mount by RoboMagus: www.printables...
Parts and materials:
Sealed box: a.co/d/062LQ8tE
Hygrometer: a.co/d/05uy2Iql
Bearings: a.co/d/0iIwa4G4
Pneumatic connector fittings: a.co/d/0i4EdRF7
Nuts (for fitting): a.co/d/0dhg7ijP
M4 x 10mm Cap screws: a.co/d/02uKMQqG
M3 x 12mm Button screws: a.co/d/07Y1M9sr
PTFE tube: a.co/d/05v7caZP
Desicant: a.co/d/03p2ivWD
Tools:
Drill-tap combos: a.co/d/0dFAZ5ww

[@supergiantbubbles]

I designed something similar for what I believe is the exact same box. My first iteration used bearings, but I had issues with the roll of filament spinning too easily. I changed the design to use a solid shaft with printed bushing instead. Now it works great. I also designed a desiccant holder that attaches to my lid. I went with Govee bluetooth hygrometers for their small size and ability to accurately read low humidity levels.

[@JANtheDane]

Yes, while the hygrometers I used only cost about $3 each, I did see some rectangular models that only cost about a dollar if bought in bulk. There are a few filament drybox designs available online. One of the issues is that the boxes used often are not available. I printed a couple of other designs but I could not make them fit in the boxes I found, or the boxes needed were ridiculously expensive.

[@mglenadel]

And the container stays as it were originally, with no screw holes. The filament exits through the small opening, held in check by a printed ‘funnel’ with a catch that keeps the filament from rolling back into the lid.

[@mglenadel]

Oops replied to the wrong comment.

[@mglenadel]

I too have made something similar, but instead of an axle running through the sides of the box, I’ve made what I call a ‘skate’, i.e., four grooved rollers on a backbone (that sits on the bottom of the box, with the rollers up in the air). The spool edges roll on those grooved rollers. This makes replacing the spool inside the box a cinch: just lift the old spool and put in a new one.

[@JANtheDane]

I had seen one of those before designing mine (perhaps the one you made?), but it did not seem to fit the boxes I had purchased. Feel free to post a link here. We all like choices. So often when I search for designs online I find that someone simply used different words or names for whatever I am seeking, and I needlessly end up drawing my own designs.

[@mglenadel]

@@JANtheDane drawing one's own design is rarely something done needlessly. Getting to design is a great way to learn how to design something properly (not that I'm saying yours wasn't designed properly-but rather that the design process is one of looking for flaws to fix and improve, rinse and repeat-a professor of mine even said: "learn when to say 'enough!' to a design process"-often we end up in a quagmire of lateral non-improvements that only consume time without any real improvement. .

[@PhG1961]

Great ingenuity!

[@JANtheDane]

Thank you

[@oskarma1801]

So do you still need to dry in a dryer first then put it inside the box or will it dry in the box only aswell?

[@JANtheDane]

It depends. If you use the drybox right after opening the manufacturers vacuum sealed container, I would think it is already dry. Additionally, if you use fresh desicant (and lots of it), the filament should dry with time. The hygrometer reading should tell you. TPU seems especially prone to moisture problems.

[@mckutzy]

Best way is to recharge the desiccants, is to bake them in the oven for 4-8 hours at 200. The packets will have been partly depleted and wont work well in this manner if you use them this way... recharge them first. You can also use the microwave aswell, but you have to be careful you don't burn them, as that happens easily.

[@JANtheDane]

I recharge the desicant in the microwave set on defrost. Takes only a few minutes

[@rackbites]

200C or 200F?

[@mckutzy]

@@rackbites Fahrenheit...