Handling/Storing Canisters - Stratasys K6 Series User Manual

HANDLING/STORING CANISTERS

Stratasys FDM thermoplastic materials will maintain proper product performance over an extended period of
time, when handled and stored according to recommended procedures. Like other thermoplastics, the filament
within canisters can absorb moisture when exposed to ambient humidity. Stratasys canisters are designed to
minimize moisture exposure while unopened and opened. When a canister's filament absorbs moisture a
finished part's surface quality, seam quality and overall part aesthetics can be affected. Care should be taken to
ensure filament remains dry by following the steps below.
Caution: Material storage shall be in the range of 55°F to 75°F (13°C to 24°C),
with relative humidity range of 20% to 50%.
Each standard canister holds 92 in
3
(184 in / 3015 cc). Canisters also contain desiccant material; the desiccant is designed to maintain proper
moisture levels for an unopened canister. Once the desiccant is exposed to ambient air, it can become
saturated and ineffective for moisture control. Proper handling of the canister after it has been opened is
essential to maximizing canister life.
A removable plastic cap and a thumbwheel door provide an airtight seal to keep moisture from entering the
canister while stored.
Caution: Make sure that you insert the square foam gasket under the
thumbwheel door and place the plastic cap over the filament outlet hole when
storing a canister. In less than one hour, in an unsealed canister, filament can
absorb enough moisture to become unusable.
If a canister containing material is removed from the printer, or remains in the printer in a non-ready state
(canister status LED is OFF), it should be stored as follows (refer to
Note: When the filament is in a ready or loaded state (flashing green or steady
green canister status LED) and the canister door is closed, the printer's air-dryer
system constantly purges moisture from the canister.
1. Open the thumbwheel door (item 3 of
(stored on the canister - item 7B) into its thumbwheel door location.
2. Close the thumbwheel door - make sure that it is completely closed.
3. Remove the plastic cap from its stowed position (item 6B) and insert it into the filament outlet
hole of the canister snout (item 4 & 6A).
4. Store canisters in an upright position, do not lay them flat.
3
(1510 cc) of filament material, while 2X canisters hold double that amount
Figure 5-5) and insert the square foam gasket (item 7A)
127
Figure 5-5 for referenced item numbers):