Ali Cereal Container Filament DryBox

Introduction

There exist many different designs to use standard kitchen cereal containers to keep individual filament spools safe and dry in storage and while printing. Unfortunately, there are so many different models of these kitchen containers that it is rather hard to get the necessary container, especially if the container is sourced from a regional vendor. Therefore, this design is based on a widely available container model from Aliexpress.

Required Tools

• Hex or Allen key – 2.5mm

• Flush cutters

• Plyers or 10mm spanner

• 3mm plastic drill

• 6mm plastic drill (optional)

Bill of Materials

See Assembly Manual for detailed comments!

No	Name	Quantity	Comments
1	SHCS M3 x 12 mm bolt	4	ISO 4762 standard
2	SHCS M3 x 10 mm bolt	7	ISO 4762 standard
3	M3 Hex nut	15	ISO 4032 standard
4	M6 Hex nut*	1	ISO 4032 standard, get only if not in kit with the PC4-M6 connector
5	608 bearing	4	Standard 608 bearing
6	Hygrometer	1	48x28x17mm Aliexpress hygrometer. Get this or similar: Aliexpress hygrometer
7	PC4-M6 connector	1	Try to get one with the M6 nut as kit. Get this or similar: Aliexpress PC4-M6 (the ones with the flute can be used as well).
8	4L Sealed kitchen container	1	Aliexpress container, get this or similar: Aliexpress container Other container models will not work!
9	Desiccant	~75g	Rechargable with ball size greater than 3mm.
10	Printed parts	~90g	Depends on filament (see manual for detailed instructions)

Print Settings

• 0.4 NOZZLE

• LAYER HEIGHT 0.2mm

• NO SUPPORTS!

• PLA or PETG (PETG recommended)

Brief overview

This cereal container-based design uses four bearings to support the spool inside the container. The bearings are fixed on sliders that can freely slide on specially designed tracks to accommodate different width spools (20–70mm wide spools supported). The sliders are fixed in place using special thumbscrews. The tracks are part of a base frame that fits inside the lid of the container.

A simple and cheap hygrometer is affixed to the base frame via special bracket, so that hygrometer readings are visible immediately from outside of the container.

Behind the spool at the back of the base frame there is a slot for a special desiccant container with a press-fit cover/lid. The container holds up to 75g of desiccant, which is more than enough to keep the 4L container dry for months.

The container can be used to hold the filament even while printing, ensuring that the filament stays dry and clean. The specially designed filament PTFE tube connector is in front of the container. It features a standard pneumatic fitting to attach the PTFE tube while in use, as well as specially designed slots to fix the filament when not in use. While not in use, the connector is covered with a printed screw-on cap, ensuring airtightness of the container. 

This model was heavily inspired by the work @GunplaMark – if You have access to the containers he has based his design around, consider using his design.

About this design

Developing this drybox took many hours of design work, test prints, and real-world testing, along with material and hardware costs. I’m happy to share it here for free so anyone can use it.

If you find this design useful and you’d like to support future designs and say thanks, there’s a paid version available. Totally optional—but greatly appreciated.

Paid version

Or You can just buy me a coffee:

buymeacoffee.com/jstraupenim

Thanks for checking it out, and happy printing!