UPDATE 18/02/2024:

Added Tall version of funnel to reduce instances of desiccant beads ricocheting off the central “hole cover” and spilling. It was only one or two beads on each occasion, but it was annoying me. The tall funnel eliminates the issue but uses more filament and takes longer to print.

As usual, I have provided a separate STEP file for the Tall Funnel and retained the old funnel for those that prefer.

I have added TALL Funnel versions of all print profiles that contained a funnel and retained all original funnel versions.

UPDATE 02/02/2024:

After feedback from wworrall, I have thinned the walls of the main body (barrel), this results in an approx 23% filament saving, and an approx 16% improvement in print time for this piece.

I have also added 3mf files and a STEP for a version with narrower slots (1mm vs 1.5mm for the standard model) and smaller hex holes (30% vs 25% for the standard model). This is to overcome concerns that broken beads may fall through the holes.

both the NARROW SLOT and standard version use the thinner walls.

I had been using the desiccant carrier from CHUSKYWALKER for a while but decided to create this remix to allow better airflow, and a greater surface area of desiccant to be directly exposed to the air.

The changes made are:

• Lid labelled “TOP” to avoid silly accidents
• Enlarged Hex holes in lid and base
• Ventilation slots added to the body of container
• Ventilation shaft with slots running through centre of container
• Filling funnel to make filling easier and avoid beads falling through the central shaft

The container is designed and tested with 3mm desiccant beads.

All ventilation slots are 1.5mm wide (1mm for NARROW SLOT version), so should work with 2mm beads (if they exist)?, but the size of the hex holes would need to be reduced for 2mm beads (see instructions below to reduce hex hole size).

The funnel is a funnel and requires no adjusting for any sized beads

I have provide five 3mf files Container & Funnel, NARROW SLOT Container & Funnel, Container only, NARROW SLOT Container only, and Funnel only.

If you want to slice the model yourself, or want to remix I have provided STEP files for the Container “Barrel”, “NARROW SLOT Barrel”, “Lid”, and the “Funnel”

IF YOU DO SLICE YOURSELF BE SURE TO SET :

• TOP SHELL LAYERS = 0 (ZERO)
• BOTTOM SHELL LAYERS = 0 (ZERO)
• SPARSE INFILL PATTERN = “HONEYCOMB”
• MINIMUM SPARSE INFILL THRESHOLD = 1000

AS THIS IS HOW THE HEX HOLES ARE ACHIEVED.

INSTRUCTIONS FOR ADJUSTING THE SIZE OF THE HEX HOLES

Hole size is adjusted by changing the “Sparse Infill Density”.

The default in my 3mf files is 25% for the standard version, which I think is perfect for 3mm beads (unbroken), and 30% for the NARROW SLOT version that should work for smaller beads and/or slightly broken beads.

To reduce the hole size, increase the “Sparse Infill Density”. I suggest raising it in 5% intervals until you hit your sweet spot.

If you wish you can of course increase the hole size by reducing the sparse infill density.