BigRep’s Shield Large-Format Dry Cabinet Prevents Material Degradation

BigRep, a provider of large-format 3D printing, offers the Shield industrial filament dry cabinet, which is designed to ensure optimal storage conditions for 3D printing materials in order to avoid material degradation. Without proper storage in a humidity-controlled environment, 3D printing filaments (particularly engineering-grade materials such as PA 6/66, TPU, PVA, BVOH, PET) can absorb airborne moisture and result in higher rates of printing error, nozzle clogging and machine downtime.

The Shield is said to surpass the industry standard of 1%, maintaining 0.1% humidity by looping air through a controlled desiccant chamber without the use of heat, thereby avoiding the risk of overdrying filaments from long-term heat exposure. As part of an industrial workflow, the cabinet reduces misprints and material waste by 20% and saves up to 50% on repair costs caused by clogging and extruder damage, the company says.

According to the company, environmental conditions can play a huge factor in the printability of filament. In order to produce quality prints every time, it is important to protect the printing material. The Shield is said to hold the material in optimal conditions, which helps extend the life of 3D printers, save time and money by preventing downtime and damages, and avoid workflow disruptions.

In developing Shield, BigRep collaborated with Amboss+Langbein, an industry provider with expertise in drying systems for plastics manufacturing. The company says this combined industrial knowledge, along with quality components and a Siemens control system, result in a robust, reliable machine that ensures quality productivity protection at all times. The industrial-sized storage chamber holds up to 60 kg of filament, enough material for one month of continuous 24/7 printing.

The cabinet maintains constant overpressure for an airtight storage volume. This prevents new moisture from entering its chamber during regular operation and ensures the system can quickly remove any and all airborne humidity with 100% air recirculation. The Shield is said to provide ample space for safe, long-term storage of highly sensitive additive manufacturing materials to maintain their ideal condition.