Smart International Unveils Smart3D Multimaterial Dryer

Kodak’s 3D printing arm Smart International launches a new machine for drying 3D printing materials. Smart International has developed the Smart3D Multimaterial Dryer to meet the demand for moisture-free filament to ensure consistent print results, the company says.

The new technology has been developed in response to an ongoing problem common in 3D printing: humidity. The new Smart3D Multimaterial Dryer has been developed to eliminate the problems of moisture and to ensure repeatability for industry prints, the company says.

The Smart3D Multimaterial Dryer uses a hybrid drying technology that results in faster drying rates than existing methods, according to the company, 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. 

The Smart3D Multimaterial Dryer is compatible with any 3D printing filament with an up to 500mm / 20-in. 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-in. 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 energy consumption, up to 10 times less energy than existing dryers, allowing you to process much more material in a shorter amount of time. 

Pre-ordering customers will profit throughout February from a 10% discount over the $4,299 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," Demian Gawianski, chief commercial officer, Smart International. "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," Gawianski says. "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.” 

Sources: Press materials received from the company and additional information gleaned from the company’s website.