PLA filament is particularly sensitive to environmental conditions, with humidity and temperature playing crucial roles in filament performance. By following optimized storage methods, you can protect your filament investment, improve print reliability, and extend the usable life of each spool.
1. Choose the Right Storage Environment
PLA filament is highly susceptible to moisture, which can degrade the filament quality over time, causing issues like brittleness, poor adhesion, and layer inconsistencies during printing. To prevent these problems, store PLA filament in a cool, dry place with minimal exposure to humidity and sunlight. Ideally, maintain a consistent temperature of 15-25°C and keep the relative humidity under 20%. For those storing filament in bulk, a dedicated storage room with climate control options, like air conditioning and dehumidifiers, is ideal. This setup can be a worthwhile investment for businesses or individuals handling significant filament volumes.
2. Use Airtight Storage Solutions
Storing PLA filament in airtight containers helps minimize its exposure to moisture. For mass storage, consider using vacuum-sealed bags or large airtight bins that can hold multiple spools. Many airtight bins come with humidity monitoring options, allowing for real-time tracking of the storage environment’s conditions. Adding silica gel or other desiccant packs in each container can further absorb any residual moisture, helping maintain a dry atmosphere around the filament. These packs are cost-effective and easy to replace when they become saturated, ensuring a low-humidity environment within your storage bins or containers.
3. Implement a Humidity-Control System
For larger-scale storage, a more active humidity control system, such as dehumidifying cabinets, can maintain optimal conditions consistently. These cabinets are designed specifically for filament storage and offer adjustable humidity levels. They’re ideal for businesses or makerspaces where filament is stored in bulk, providing a protective environment that prolongs PLA's shelf life. Regular maintenance, such as replacing or recharging desiccant packs and monitoring cabinet settings, is essential to keep the humidity levels stable.
4. Organize Filament by Age and Usage Frequency
Organizing your filament storage area can improve accessibility and help manage the lifespan of each spool. Label each spool with its purchase or production date and prioritize using older spools to prevent them from sitting too long, which can lead to quality degradation. Implement a first-in, first-out (FIFO) system to ensure older stock is used before newer batches. For frequently used colors or types of PLA, consider storing them in more accessible, quick-access containers while keeping the less-used spools in airtight long-term storage.
5. Regularly Inspect Stored Filaments
Conduct routine inspections to catch any potential filament quality issues early. Examine the spools for signs of discoloration, brittleness, or odor, which could indicate moisture absorption. Even if the storage conditions are optimized, periodic checks help ensure that any compromised filament is identified and addressed before it causes print failures. If minor moisture absorption is detected, consider using a filament dryer before printing to restore printability. Filament dryers gently heat the filament, driving out absorbed moisture without damaging the material’s structure.
6. Consider Temperature-Controlled Rooms for Large Quantities
If storing a considerable amount of PLA filament, a temperature-controlled room may be an effective solution for maintaining consistent quality. Temperature fluctuations can make PLA brittle or affect its structure over time. Keeping the room’s temperature stable will help avoid these issues and extend the shelf life of your filament stock.
Final Thoughts
Mass storage of PLA filament can be effectively managed by following these strategies to ensure optimal quality and longevity. From airtight containers and climate-controlled storage to organized systems that prioritize older stock, these practices will protect your investment and maintain high print quality. For anyone dealing with significant filament volumes, implementing these measures ensures that every spool delivers consistent, high-quality results when it’s finally loaded onto the printer.
