Hi all Have finally received new Makerbot and box of PLA and ABS filament

3D Printing
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1

Hi all
Have finally received new Makerbot and box of PLA and ABS filament here in Thailand. I am a complete newbie but the kids I teach will help on the mutual learning curve I am sure. My CONCERN IS ABOUT HUMIDITY and how quickly I might screw up plastic once I open the vacuum sealed dessicant laden plastic bags.

Will be a fight to get my classroom AC on 24-7 so any advice on 3D printing in tropical countries would be much appreciated.

2

Simply get a plastic sealable container or bag and put a desiccant pack in it for long term storage. You can also put in an oven for 20 min at 170f to dry out

And welcome :slight_smile:

3

For Thailand, follow @Eric_Moy 's advice, but make it a BIG desiccant pack, and change it or re-dry it often.

4

ABS will be the bigger problem. Keep it stored when not in use.

PLA tends to be more hydrophobic than hydrophilic - it depends more on the additives (colours and other non-PLA components) than the primary PLA ingredient. As it relates to odour, PLA is definitely more pleasant to use in a kid-friendly environment. I always print with PLA unless the application demands ABS (e.g. a more heat-tolerant extruder upgrade).

5

Thanks gents