A new solution in the FFF 3D printing market that integrates industrial drying technology at end-user level
[Delaware, USA, January 27, 2020] Kodak’s 3D printing arm Smart International announced today the launch of a new machine for drying 3D printing materials. Realizing the need in the FFF 3D printing market for a new industry-level drying solution, Smart International has developed the Smart3D Multimaterial Dryer to meet the demand for moisture-free filament to ensure consistent print results.
The new technology has been developed in response to an ongoing problem common in 3D printing: humidity. Humidity can cause a host of problems including degradation and fragility. The new Smart3D Multimaterial Dryer has been developed to eliminate the problems of moisture and to ensure repeatability for industry prints.
Existing solutions use heat to dry the filament. However, heat is far from being the proper way to dry 3D printing materials. Among other reasons, because it affects the physical and chemical characteristics of the materials treated by several degrees, is not necessarily 100% effective at removing all humidity, is time consuming with typical cycles taking between 8 and 48 hours and does not allow different materials to be dried simultaneously.
The Smart3D Multimaterial Dryer solves all this by using a hybrid drying technology that results in drying rates that can be up to 10 times faster than existing methods, with dry filament in as little as an hour. In addition, the drying process allows several different materials to be dried at the same time, so it is possible, for example to dry PVA, Nylon and TPU together, something currently impossible using conventional heat dryers.
The Smart3D Multimaterial Dryer is compatible with any 3D printing filament with an up to 500mm / 20” diameter, enabling the drying of virtually any filament spool on the market. Its drying and storage capacity may vary based on spool size, with a maximum of 30 Kodak filament spools.
You can keep track of your dried material and available stock with the intuitive 7 inch touch screen, which records all the ambient conditions inside the drying chamber, and allows you to scan each filament as you store it. The Smart3D Multimaterial Dryer is also very efficient in terms of energy consumption, up to 10 times less energy than existing dryers, allowing you to process much more material in a far shorter amount of time.
Pre-ordering customers will profit throughout February from a 10% discount over the $4299 MSRP or until a limited stock runs out. Pre-ordered units will ship in April. Interested customers may turn to their local resellers for further information and availability.
“This product is the natural result of our customers’ requests to complete the low moisture chain and guarantee repeatable prints. When we launched the Kodak filament line featuring low moisture and vacuum-sealed packaging, and the enclosed KODAK Portrait 3D Printer with its filament protection cases, humidity was not widely perceived as FFF 3D printing’s silent enemy as it begins to be understood now. Since then, with chemical giants strongly stepping onto our industry and broadening its range of applications, it hurts our eyes to see high performance filament go to waste, bake in ovens or centrifugate in salad spinners. We feel this completes the most comprehensive professional ecosystem on the market and inaugurates our new year of exciting Industry 4.0 compliant releases targeted at exacting customers.” Demian Gawanski, CCO.
Technical Specifications:
Dimensions
Product dimensions: W: 892 mm / 35.1” – D: 500 mm / 19.7” – H: 825 mm / 32.5”
Internal storage capacity: W: 733 mm / 28.9” – D: 250 mm / 9.8” – H: 506 mm / 19.9”
Maximum spool diameter: 500 mm / 19.7”
Performance
Cycle duration: <2h
Drying capacity: Up to 30 spools (depending on spool size)
Compatibility: Filament spools of any material and brand
Connectivity: Ethernet, USB Display: 7” full color touch screen
Electrical
Rated voltage: 110 – 240V / 50 – 60 Hz
Auxiliary power outlet: 110 – 240V / 50 – 60 Hz / 4 – 2A
Software
Spool recognition: Through RFID tag
Reports and statistics: Temperature, humidity and drying cycles
Updates: Via Ethernet
I4.0 compliant: Yes
About Smart International
Smart International has developed an ecosystem of solutions for professional 3D printing. Years of collaboration with engineers, designers, architects, artists and educators, have set the bar high. Only accurate and reliable technology with materials developed for a wide range of applications will help their creations endure and shine. Visit smart3d.tech for more information and Twitter @Kodak3dprinting, Facebook, Instagram.
Source: Smart International
