Drying Time Recommendation

Note: If you cannot reach the dryer temperature listed, set it to the maximum temperature and double the drying time for every 5 degrees below the recommended temperature. The longer you leave the filament out in a high moisture environment, the longer you may need to dry it. We highly recommend printing within an active dryer box or a fully enclosed box to ensure minimal moisture absorption during the print, as this will affect the quality and physical properties of the filament. 

Please dry your filament in a well-ventilated room or ensure proper filtration/exhaust in the room or dryer. Drying filament can release harmful VOCs, especially from materials such as ABS and ASA. 

* Recommend printing in a dry box/filament dryer (while running) as these materials are more hygroscopic and tend to draw moisture and will cause changes to materials characteristic during a long print if not ambient moisture is not kept low. 

Polymaker/DREMC cardboard spool max drying temp is under 70-75c max, Polymaker/DREMC Plastic Spool is rated at 90-100c, please always check with your manufacturer if unsure. You may require filament clamp to keep cardboard in place when drying in 70-100 range. More Info here: https://support.dremc.com.au/en/support/solutions/articles/51000342355-dremc-filament-snap-on-addon

Note: If you are drying above 80°C - 120°C, we recommend re-spooling materials to a metal spool or drying at a lower temperature to prevent the spool from melting or warping, especially if the spool is not full.

Note: Take care when drying nearly empty or 50% full spools, as some plastic spools may warp under higher temperatures, which may limit filament running smoothly on edge rollers/AMS systems.

Note: When using an oven/dryer, it is always best to preheat and measure temperatures, as consumer dryers/ovens can and will exceed the set temperature and may have a 5-20°C variance. This can cause melting of cardboard, plastic, glue, or even filament at higher temperatures or warp plastic spools if the filament is half-used. Similarly with Eibos Dryer X, as the maximum temperature can vary between units, please ensure you know the temperature of your unit beforehand.

Warning: We personally do not recommend using the same kitchen oven for filament drying, as filaments release fumes, particles, and harmful VOCs. Using a portable oven specifically for filament drying is the preferable method for drying at temperatures higher than 60°C or sticking with lower temperatures on a regular dryer for longer drying times.

Note: The above table is based on a ~1kg spool, and drying times may vary depending on the moisture level within the filament. Most filaments are not dried from the factory, and even if they are, transportation and storage can cause the spools to absorb moisture. The majority of packaging is clear vacuum bags, which absorb moisture at a higher rate compared to silver (aluminum-coated) bags. Filaments like PETG, ASA, Nylon, TPU, and PC from Polymaker/DREMC are able to keep filaments dryer longer but can still vary depending on storage conditions. If unsure, please refer to the guidelines below to check if the filament is wet before starting a print.

Note: Repeatedly drying your filament will eventually degrade the plastic/polymers over a long period (generally days, weeks, or months, depending on the polymer), making them brittle. Therefore, we highly recommend a proper storage solution. At a minimum, use the resealable vacuum bag (included with all Polymaker and DREMC filaments) with desiccant sachets. Ideally, the filament should be stored in a location where the humidity is between 5-15%.

Why you should dry materials for best mechanical properties and visual quality. 

Video: 

TDLR: Wet filament equals to poor layer adhesion and visual quality, for best result print from dryer for engineering materials or from dry box.

How do I know if filament is wet?

Wet filament can cause problems such as stringing, blobbing, reduced strength, quality in print or inconsistent extrusion. A simple way to test if you're filament is wet or not, is extruder some filament at printing temperature. If you hear popping or inconsistent extrusion. You can always share your photo/clip with support of extrusion, if you're unsure. https://support.dremc.com.au/support/tickets/new

Dry:

Wet:

Image Source: 3dtechsupplies / http://www.3dtechsupplies.com.au/