It looks like “smart cabinets” are gaining momentum across the industry as 3D printer manufacturers are increasingly looking to ensure optimal storage conditions for 3D printing materials. The latest company that unveiled a solution to address this issue is BigRep.
The company headquartered in Berlin follows the lead of companies like Wematter, BCN3D, or MakerBot that previously unveiled similar solutions onto the market.
This issue comes from the fact that when they are not well stored, 3D printing materials are exposed to humidity, therefore may absorb airborne moisture and can result in higher rates of printing error, nozzle clogging, and machine downtime.
In this vein, the German machine manufacturer is bringing to the market the BigRep SHIELD which maintains 0.1% humidity by looping airthrough a controlled desiccant chamber without the use of heat, therefore avoiding the risk of over-dryingfilaments from long-term heat exposure. The new cabinet also reducesmisprints and material waste by 20% and saves up to 50% on repair costs caused by clogging andextruder damage.
“Environmental conditions, normally outside of your control, play a huge factor in the printability of the filament. We want our customers to produce quality prints every time, which is why we saw it important to provide a solution and especially a big one that can hold a lot of material,” said Sven Thate, BigRep Managing Director. “To extend the life of your 3D printer and save time and money by preventing downtime and damages, the SHIELD is a must-have to avoid workflow disruptions.”
The development of SHIELD has been achieved in collaboration with Amboss+Langbein, an industry expert with almost 40 years expertise in drying systems for plastics manufacturing. This combined wealth of industrial knowledge, along with quality components and a Siemens control system, results in a robust and reliable machine that ensures ultimate productivity protection at all times.
The industrial-sized storage chamber holds up to 60 kg of filament, enough material for one month continuous 24/7 printing.
• Interior dimensions: W x D x H: 480 x 480 x 1200 mm, 276 liters
• Storage capacity: Minimum of 12x 2.5 kg spools, 12x 4.5 kg spools, or 6x 8-10 kg spools The SHIELD 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 provides ample space for safe, long-term storage of highly-sensitive additive manufacturing materials to maintain their ideal condition.
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