If you’re in the world of 3D printing, you know how crucial it is to keep your filament dry, especially when working with high-temperature materials. That’s where our new 5.5-gallon vacuum drying chamber comes into play. In this blog, we’ll show you what this kit includes and how to use it effectively to ensure your filament remains moisture-free.
The Drying Chamber Kit
When you order the vacuum drying chamber kit from our website at visionminer.com, you’ll receive everything you need to get started. The kit includes:
- Vacuum pump oil
- Vacuum pump
- Vacuum chamber with a lid and silicone seal
- Hose and valves
Why You Need It
This chamber is designed to accommodate larger spools of filament, making it perfect for high-temperature materials. The moisture content in your filament can significantly impact the quality of your 3D prints, especially when dealing with materials like nylon, PEEK, ULTEM, and other high-temperature filaments.
Assembly in Minutes
Assembling the vacuum drying chamber is a breeze and takes only a few minutes. Let’s walk through the basic steps:
- Remove the plastic cap from the vacuum pump’s valve.
- Attach one end of the hose to the vacuum pump’s brass fitting.
- Secure the acrylic lid to the chamber by tightening the bolt and washers provided. Hand-tightening is usually sufficient.
- Connect the other end of the hose to the vacuum valve on the chamber.
The simplicity of this setup ensures that you can get started quickly with minimal hassle. It’s designed to be user-friendly, even if you’re new to vacuum drying.
Operating the Chamber
Using the vacuum drying chamber is straightforward. When you’re ready to pull a vacuum, ensure the valve on the vacuum side is closed, while the valve on the air filter side is open. Watching the pressure gauge, you’ll want to reach a vacuum level of approximately -30 PSI. Once achieved, you can close the valve and proceed with drying your filament.
Don’t forget to trim the small tip on the valve before starting the vacuum process. This tiny adjustment allows for a controlled flow of air.
Effective Moisture Removal
The vacuum drying chamber is incredibly effective in removing excess moisture from your filament. After baking your filament in an oven at the appropriate drying temperature for a few hours, transfer it to the vacuum chamber while it’s still hot. Pull a vacuum, agitate the filament for 30 seconds to a minute, release the vacuum, and your filament is ready to use.
For some high-temperature materials, you might need to repeat this process to ensure optimal results. The key takeaway is that this chamber is a valuable tool for ensuring that your filament is free of moisture, allowing you to achieve the best mechanical properties in your prints.
Why Filament Drying Matters
Moisture-free filament is critical in high-temperature 3D printing. The chamber is specifically designed to cater to the unique needs of these materials, and it’s an indispensable addition to your 3D printing toolkit.
Get Yours Today
Our vacuum drying chamber is available as a kit, including the vacuum pump and the chamber itself. However, if you’re interested in purchasing additional chambers separately, please reach out to us, and we can accommodate your needs.
Remember that for low-temperature filaments, you can use food dehydrators to dry them. However, when working with high-temperature materials like nylon, PEEK, or ULTEM, you need the controlled and precise drying capabilities provided by our vacuum chamber.
Join the Filament Drying Revolution
If you have any questions about the vacuum drying chamber or any other 3D printing-related queries, don’t hesitate to leave a comment below. If you enjoyed this product overview, please give our video a like, and be sure to subscribe to our channel for more valuable insights and product updates.
Thank you for reading, and we wish you a productive and moisture-free 3D printing experience. Stay tuned for our next video, and have a fantastic day!