Polymaker unveils the PolyBox, a container that keeps plastic filaments protected from moisture and sits beside a desktop 3D printing system.

Most 3D printing filament producers are constantly looking for ways to innovate upon their existing product line. While new speciality materials are hitting the market at an unfathomable rate, many 3D printing users have no way to protect their filament from the surrounding environment.

After releasing the Polysmooth filament and Polysher post-processing machine, the company Polymaker is now releasing the PolyBox. This compact container is designed to safely store plastic filament, keeping your spool as fresh as ever.

Known as one of the primary problems when dealing with filament, hygroscopic materials tend to absorb moisture and spoil. This usually leads to inconsistent extrusion, poor surface quality, and prints with poor layer adhesion, causing weaker mechanical properties. Materials like PVA, Nylon, and PolySmooth are the most susceptible to moisture absorption, but the condition can also plague more popular filaments, such as ABS and PLA.

What’s in the PolyBox? A Safe and Secure Home For Your Filament

The PolyBox acts as a shield to the exterior environment, storing filament in humid air. This prevents materials from becoming compromised and ultimately ruining your 3D printed part or object. In order to regulate humidity, there are two desiccant bags located at the base of the unit. These bags can be dried and reused once they reach their maximum water absorption.

The humidity levels can be monitored with the high precision thermos-hygrometer (pictured above). While in the container, the user can feed their filament through a 150cm guide tube straight into the printer. This direct connection will keep the material protected during the entire process, from the spool to the hot end.

The Polybox offers six different filament exit holes and a reversible case, allowing for flexibility no matter what printer you have. The storage device can hold two spools for dual extrusion, as well as a 3kg spool.

The PolyBox will be priced at around $69.99. The company will be exhibiting the new product at TCT Show in Birmingham this week. All3DP will be on the scene, so stay tuned for more information on the PolyBox and other 3D printing marvels!