DryAF | 100% Metal Reusable Spools.

DryAF Metal Spools.

DryAF is the ultimate in reusable spool technology. Designed to fix several major issues prevalent in current market solutions. DryAF fixes problems with 

• Spools splitting apart & dumping the filament on the floor.
• Tape clogging AMS & other systems. 
• Melting spools. 
• Piles of empty plastic spools.
• Poor drying performance.

I have been 3D Printing since early 2014. My first 3D printer design, The BigBox, launched in conjunction with E3D, was a huge success on Kickstarter. The follow-up, E3D's ToolChanger & Motion System went on to win multiple awards and has since propelled tool-changing 3D Printers into the mainstream, the most recent being Stratsys's F3300 and of course the popular Original Prusa XL, announced in 2022.

Throughout the development of both printers, working with correctly dried material was an important factor, but it was while researching for a joint project with Victrex that dry material became especially crucial.

The PAEK Family of polymers are a group of high performance materials that require high temperatures (above 120C) for effective drying. Normal spools are unable to operate at these elevated temperatures. The only material able to reliably withstand these temperatures is metal. I designed an early version of metal spool for this project.

Jump forward to 2025 and DryAF Metal Spools brings together 10+ years of experience in the 3D printing industry to provide a low cost solution to many common problems. 

I have develop the DryAF Metal Spool with the goal of fixing many of the above problems while also improving the 3D printing experience. The DryAF Metal Spools are designed to provide as much air-flow around the filament as possible, to maintain a rigid spool structure, reduce print failures and to enable the use of higher drying temperatures, all of this while still being a drop-in replacement for the standard range of plastic spools.

Today's filaments are packaged on low-temperature resistant plastic or cardboard spools. Cardboard tends to attract and absorb moisture, especially in humid environments, as can do plastic spools. While refills try to reduce the number of plastic spools, you still have to use a plastic spool when printing because there was no viable alternative.

With no plastic or cardboard components, DryAF Metal Spools don't absorb moisture, won't give false readings on moisture sensors or unnecessarily increase drying cycles when removing moisture from the plastic spools, and don't add to your growing mountain of plastic spools. DryAF Spools won't fall apart during prints, and don't melt in the oven.

PAEK Performance with DryAF Metal Spools.

• Efficient drying from all directions, inside and out.
• 100% Reusable & Recyclable.
• Reduced drying times.
• No more melting plastic spools.
• Enables High-Temperature drying, up to 300C!
• Can be used inside Heated Chambers.
• No bowing of flexible plastic spools when respooling onto DryAF Metal Spools.
• Compatible with Bambu Lab 1kg Refills.
• Compatible with Bambu Lab AMS & AMS Lite.
• Compatible with MasterSpool Refills.
• No more tape stuck in AMS or other filament feed-tubes.
• No more Spilled Spools.
• 1kg+ Capacity.
• No drying plastic or cardboard spools, unnecessarily increasing drying times.
• No false or misleading moisture sensor data.

How Do They Work?

DryAF Spools are compatible with a huge range of manufacturers. We have put special focus onto Bambu Lab & MasterSpool compatible refills as these are the most numerous within the industry. But, to make sure we have the greatest range of compatibility, extra functionality has been added to the DryAF Spool design.

Three positions for the spacers.

• Bambu Lab Slot, spaced for use with the cardboard centre or without.
• Single hole MasterSpool.
• Larger Slot for Everyone.

Material Identification.

Print your ID Tags for Material Identification. STLs, STEPs & CAD available.

Filament Traps.

Specially designed widely-spaced slots to secure the loose end of the filament. This helps prevent the filament snapping and the spool loosening while stored. On too many occasions have I broken the filament trying to put the end into holes or slots positioned too closely together.

Maximum Aeration.

With the cardboard centres removed, and for MasterSpool Refills, the Open-Frame design maintains the best airflow around the filament. The Open-Chassis design establishes even heating and rapid drying of the material both reducing drying times and guaranteeing maximum print performance.

Slots for Cable-Ties.

MasterSpools are held together with three Cable-Ties. DryAF has cut-outs for the Cable-Ties to aid cutting and removal after installation into a DryAF Spool.

Industrial Use.

We have included, as standard, holes for winding mechanisms on each side of the spool for use in industrial applications and easy integration into filament manufacturing processes. 

Commercial variants will be available on project success. Contact for details.

DryAF Bambu Lab.

Designed to work specifically with 60mm wide Bambu Lab 1kg refills and compatibles. 

No More Tape.

We have developed a process for removing the cardboard centres from Bambu Lab, and other, refills. This system also removes the black tape from the spools, making sure the tape doesn't end up jamming your AMS and causing failed prints.

Bambu Lab Quick & Easy Spool Assembly.

DryAF Spools are still compatible with refills where the cardboard centres have not been removed. This can be a fast way to get your machines up and running. 

There are many brands which match the Bambu Lab spool size and are directly compatible with the DryAF Bambu Lab Spools.

DryAF MasterSpool.

Designed around RichRap's MasterSpool standard and accepts 47.5mm wide MasterSpool refills. I have been in direct contact with Rich to ensure the DryAF MasterSpool is technically correct and aligns with the MasterSpool Standard.

DryAF For Everyone.

Both DryAF Bambu Lab & DryAF MasterSpool are compatible with a wide range of available refills including Prusament, eSUN, Fiberlogy, Azurefilm. Please check the width you require. 47.5mm or 60mm Internal Width. 76-110mm Internal Diameter.

We have a similar process for removing the cardboard centres from Prusament and other refills.

Prusament Quick & Easy install.

If you are in a hurry, leave the cardboard centre in place to get you up and printing fast.

DryAF & Respooling.

Can't find a refill of your favourite filament? Have no fear! DryAF Spools are compatible with respoolers. I have printed KYZ Design's Pasta Lite ReSpooler and put it to work respooling PEKK-CF onto a DryAF Spool.

 

What's in the box(es)?

Each DryAF Spool includes a set of

• 2x Aluminium Discs.
• 6x Aluminium Spacers.
• 12x Flanged M4 Bolts.
• Metal Bragging Rights.

All the printed parts shown in the videos will be released and made available for free when the rewards start shipping. This includes the Material ID Tags, Desk Protector, Cores and Filament Presses.

Technical Specifications.

• Outer Disc Diameter : 200mm.
• Inner Disc Diameter : 55mm.
• Disc Thickness : 2mm.
• Internal Width : 47.5mm or 60mm.
• Effective Spool Diameter : 76-110mm.
• Materials : Discs & Spacers - 6061 Aluminium / M4 Bolts - A2 Stainless Steel.
• Maximum Working Temperature : 300C.
• Capacity : 1kg+

Buy DryAF Metal Spools now | DryAF