The filament storage conodurom

How do you keep your filament dry, organized, and ready to print?    

Getting it dry

To get my filament dry, i have a few key piece of equipment.

1. Sunlu E2 filadryer
2. Sunlu S4 Filadryer
3. Bambu lab AMS2Pro (x2)
4. Bambu lab AMSHT

Once i open any filament, it goes into one of these. Pla, goes into the AMS2pro, and dries while running. If PETG it runs atleast 8 hours in then Sunlu S4, or the Sunlu E2 if at least 8 hours.  For engineering filaments that requires higher temperature it goes  exclusively into the Sunlu E2.  

Every one of my spools that are open get a Spool desiccant holder.  It follows the spool until the filament is empty.   Spool Desicant holder

If the filament is not going into the printer right away, it stays in the dryers. until the printer is ready for it.  I try to time this so that there is no down time.  

Keeping it dry

To keep my filament dry, i rely on a few key thing.

1. Keep it in the original package until you are going to use it
2. Once you open it, dont leave it out!
3. Have desiccant in every place the filament will be.

Once i am no longer using filament, it gets bagged up and put on the shelf.  I use these vacuum bags, but i cant say i recommend them. they have a high failure rate. I use  this kit for the vacuum pump, the bags were not very good at all.

Getting organized

To keep it organized, installed these racks, and they seem to work pretty well.  For my open filament in put them on to these filament holders. They work well.  I print one coupon for each filament to put on the rack while the filament is there.

If it isnt on the rack the coupon can go in 2 places.  

1. Left side of the drawer is there is more "in stock"
2. i do not have any left "in stock"

I track what filament i have with  https://3dfilamentprofiles.com/ .  Whenever i get a new filament it goes in there. If i use it i delete it.  It is a bit manual, but it is free and works well for me!

Keep it ready to go                      

my storage technique keeps my filament ready to go whenever I need it.  By keeping desiccant holders with each open filament, All the filament in vacuum bags,

Plans for the future

I have a few things i want to do.  they include

• 2 Filadry iDC10 - I have dedicated a space for them under my printers. This will be my currently being used storage. 1 for engineering filaments (PA,PC-ABS) and one for general filaments (PLA, PETG, ABS / ASA)
• Add another storage shelf to keep more in stock and add more space for another printer.

Conclusions

Keeping the filament clean, organized, and dry have made this hobby a lot more manageable for me.  Not only does it keep the place a bit more tidy, Filament just prints better when it has been dried and maintained in a dry environment.