this post was submitted on 19 Oct 2024
76 points (96.3% liked)

3DPrinting

15722 readers
196 users here now

3DPrinting is a place where makers of all skill levels and walks of life can learn about and discuss 3D printing and development of 3D printed parts and devices.

The r/functionalprint community is now located at: or [email protected]

There are CAD communities available at: [email protected] or [email protected]

Rules

If you need an easy way to host pictures, https://catbox.moe may be an option. Be ethical about what you post and donate if you are able or use this a lot. It is just an individual hosting content, not a company. The image embedding syntax for Lemmy is ![](URL)

Moderation policy: Light, mostly invisible

founded 2 years ago
MODERATORS
 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6tHInlFfMcM

copy of the video description text:Over the years, I've collected a lot of silica gel packages and regularly put them into my stuff, hoping that they will keep it dry. These tests showed me that there is more than silica gel in the typical desiccant packages and that if you don't properly dry them, they can even ruin your filament. Let's compare four different methods to keep your loose desiccant and your silica packages dry!

Chapters
00:00 Introduction
01:19 What's inside a desiccant bag?
01:54 Sponsor
03:19 Clay desiccant
04:57 Indicating desiccant
06:53 The problem with desiccant
10:26 Get rid of your desiccant bags?
11:06 Drying desiccant
14:38 Drying in a microwave
16:40 How much energy does it use?
19:34 Drying the bags in a microwave
21:48 Do you damage your desiccant in the microwave?
23:18 Summary

I'm surprised Stephan did not mention that bentonite clay is commonly used for cat litter.

you are viewing a single comment's thread
view the rest of the comments
[–] [email protected] 13 points 1 month ago* (last edited 1 month ago) (15 children)

I use industrial silicagel granules that I buy in 5-liter jugs. The granules are blue when dry and turn purple/red when they no longer absorbs humidity. Then I throw them in the microwave for 5 minutes and the granules turn blue again - and scalding hot too.

It's not perfect because it gradually turns more and more silicagel granules to dust as they explode like popcorn. So after maybe 10 to 15 cycles, the silicagel becomes ineffective and the blue granules turn more and more to brown, Then it's time to throw it away and use a fresh batch.

It's possible to extend the life of the granules by drying them in a regular oven at low heat rather than in the microwave at full pelt but it's slow and annoying, and silicagel isn't that expensive, so I don't bother.

[–] [email protected] 2 points 1 month ago (1 children)

Perhaps microwaving for significantly longer, at a low power level, would be safer and result in higher success/yield?

[–] [email protected] 2 points 1 month ago

That's what I do, never noticed the balls exploding. It takes about 20 minutes, but that's the microwave's time, not mine.

load more comments (13 replies)