Magnetic Desiccant Container with Cover

Update January 27, 2024:

Improved the Latch design to keep desiccant beads out of the latch when the container is turned sideways or upside down!  The updated filename starts with “magneticDesiccantLatch-3c”. 

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I created this Magnetic Desiccant Container to hold loose desiccant beads inside my Original Prusa Enclosure to lower the humidity when printing with hydroscopic filaments like ASA, Nylon, PETG, TPU, etc.  It attaches magnetically to any steel (or other magnetic material) surface and can be easily removed and emptied when it's time for the silica beads to be recharged or replaced.

This version holds up to about 90 grams of desiccant beads (minimum 2mm bead diameter).  You will need two 12mm by 3mm neodymium magnets and a few drops of super glue to attach the magnets to the container BODY.

The complete design includes the following parts - which are further described below:

1 -> BODY   - holds the desiccant beads
2 -> LATCH  - secures the desiccant beads in the BODY
3 -> COVER  - slides over the BODY when you don't need to dehumidify
4 -> FUNNEL - makes it easy to pour desiccant beads into the BODY
5 -> BASE   - secures the BODY when it's being filled

Insert the BODY into the BASE to stabilize the BODY while filling it with desiccant beads.

The FUNNEL makes it easy to fill the Magnetic Desiccant Container. Two (optional) 8mm by 2mm neodymium magnets can be glued to the FUNNEL to hold it against the BODY when filling it with desiccant beads.  Be sure that these magnets are oriented to attract the magnets in the BODY!  A magnet alignment tool such as "The Magic Magnet Tool" by @tjdesign at https://www.printables.com/model/409283-the-magic-magnet-tool makes this task simple.

Squeeze the handle of the LATCH and insert one end into the BODY, then insert the other end to seal desiccant beads in the Magnetic Desiccant Container. Reverse the process to remove the LATCH when removing the desiccant beads.

The COVER slides over the Magnetic Desiccant Container to help preserve the desiccant beads when dehumidifying isn't needed.

The provided STL files are intended to be printed in PETG and do not require supports.

PrusaSlicer 3MF files are provided for PETG (generic for the BODY and COVER; Prusament for the LATCH, BASE, and FUNNEL).

G-code files have been provided for the Original Prusa MK4 using Input Shaper (requires version 5.0.x firmware) for all parts (0.2mm layer height) and also without Input Shaper (0.3mm layer height).  Either version works fine.

The BODY seen in the photos was printed in Sunlu Transparent PETG with a 0.4mm nozzle at 0.2mm SPEED layer height using Input Shaper with a 15% gyroid infill.

The LATCH seen in the photos was printed in Prusament Orange PETG with a 0.4mm nozzle at 0.2mm SPEED layer height using Input Shaper with a 15% gyroid infill.

The COVER seen in the photos was printed in Sunlu Transparent PETG with a 0.4mm nozzle at 0.2mm SPEED layer height using Input Shaper.

The FUNNEL seen in the photos was printed in Prusament Orange PETG with a 0.4mm nozzle at 0.2mm SPEED layer height using Input Shaper with a 5% gyroid infill.

The BASE seen in the photos was printed in Prusament Orange PETG with a 0.4mm nozzle at 0.2mm SPEED layer height using Input Shaper with a 5% gyroid infill.

FYI: This model is similar to my previously released "Magnetic Desiccant Tin Holder for Original Prusa Enclosure" at https://www.printables.com/model/559294-magnetic-desiccant-tin-holder-for-original-prusa-e, but that model is used to contain readily available 40 gram desiccant tins - while this one is used to contain bulk desiccant beads!
 

Be sure to check out my other designs - including a diverse collection of household accessories and 3D printing tools - on Printables at https://www.printables.com/@PhilCaruso_661446/models