Since I need more Silica gel to keep the filament dry, I need to get it in big quantity. Daiso silica gel is expensive if want a lot.
Than to recycle the silica gel, I need to oven it dry at the temperature of 80°c. Advice from the expect seller. This process will be repeat again and again for filament box.
Since I can't use the kitchen oven, microwave or toaster for drying the silica gel (safety food purpose), I decide to modify a toaster.
Toaster is same as oven but cheaper version. But toaster is not temperature precise and can spoil the silica gel when the temperature raise high. I need to control the temperature at around 80°c. Without modify it, it is impossible.
Thing I need.
2nd hand toaster. Found it in 2nd hand shop in good running condition.
A solid state relay to control the heater on/off.
Temperature controller
Thermocouple for sensing inside temperature
Design and print the attachment and wire casing. The wire casing later broken cause by bad design.
Start the modify. Wired up all the component. Place the wire into the heat insulation sleeve. SSR place at behind to dissipate the heat out.
Attach the controller at the side toaster cover. Away from heat. This toaster can be very hot. The PLA material might not survive the heat.
Design again the wire casing.
Fit nicely the casing and controller attachment.
Done. Now I can control the temperature precisely. It take about 30-45min to dry the silica gel. Another usefull is to melt the printing surface to smooth it out. Also can be dry any painting parts.
Total cost is about RM90.
This post has been edited by ozak: May 28 2018, 10:28 AM