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by Ellie Pritchard on Jan 29, 2024 2:19:28 PM
Time to Say Goodbye
The 3devo team shares the bittersweet news of discontinuing the Airid Polymer Dryer, a product that has played a significant role in our journey.
In the ever-evolving world of 3D printing, innovation is the driving force behind progress. At 3devo, we have always been excited by the prospect of asking "What if...?"; it leads us to pushing boundaries and exploring new possibilities (we talk more about this in our blogpost Staying Curious with 3D Printing: How Failing Leads to Winning!). It is with this same mindset that we constantly assess what our customers need and how we can work best to optimize their projects - and sometimes, we learn that it is more beneficial to our customers and our business to refocus our resources away from a machine which is not performing to the current requirements of the industry.
The Decision to Discontinue
Evaluation and Analysis
The decision to discontinue the Airid Dryer was not made lightly. We carefully evaluated various factors, including market performance and alignment with our core mission. It became evident that our resources and energy could be better utilized in creating new, advanced, and more efficient products.
Strategic Direction of 3devo
As our company has grown, so has our vision. We are committed to staying true to our core values of Openness, Devotion, Courage, and Impact. This decision aligns with our dedication to innovation and a changing business model. You can read our official End of Life Notice here.
Transition and Support Plan
Timeline and Availability
Starting on 1st February 2024, the Airid Dryer will no longer be available. We have an extremely limited stock, so we encourage interested customers to secure their orders as soon as possible. Our commitment to customer support extends beyond the product's lifecycle.
Ensuring Customer Support Continues
We understand the importance of ongoing support for our valued customers. Even after the end of service date on 1st February 2026, we will continue to provide assistance wherever possible. Your satisfaction remains our priority.
The Inception of the Airid Dryer
Conceptualization and Vision
The story of the Airid Dryer began in 2018 when we conceived a solution that would streamline the entire filament-making process. Inspired by a vision of a complete filament ecosystem, we embarked on a journey to create a product that would meet the needs of both professionals and enthusiasts in the 3D printing community.
Development and Innovation
Our small but dedicated engineering team worked tirelessly to overcome challenges and achieve technological breakthroughs. The result was the Airid Dryer, a product designed to address the crucial step of drying polymers before filament production. This innovation was born out of a deep understanding that not all polymers are the same, and the drying process is essential for creating flawless filament.
Challenges Faced
Building the Airid Polymer Dryer was no small feat, and its development journey came with its fair share of obstacles. One of the primary challenges was ensuring precise and consistent drying temperatures for a wide range of thermoplastic materials. Achieving this level of accuracy required extensive research and engineering expertise. Additionally, designing a compact yet efficient dryer that could be seamlessly integrated into 3D printing workflows presented its own set of hurdles. The 3devo engineering team, although small at the time, took on these challenges with determination and creativity. Overcoming these obstacles was a testament to the team's dedication to providing the best possible solution for 3D printing enthusiasts and innovators.
The Airid Dryer's Impact
Achievements and Milestones
Over the years, the Airid Dryer has achieved great success, helping professionals and hobbyists achieve the highest quality in their prints. Our customers' stories of success and satisfaction have been the driving force behind our journey.
Lessons Learned and Knowledge Gained
The Airid Dryer taught us valuable lessons about product development and customer satisfaction. We have gained insights that go beyond the technical aspects, shaping our approach to future projects and innovations.
Looking Ahead: Alternatives and Future Innovations
Recommended Alternatives
While we bid farewell to the Airid Dryer, we want to ensure that your 3D printing journey continues smoothly. We have compiled a list of recommended alternatives, carefully selected for compatibility with our filament-making systems and industry-proven effectiveness.
Alternative Dryers
We understand the importance of having options, and we've researched alternative dryers that may suit your needs. These dryers are suitable for our 3devo customers with a smaller hopper volume of 6 liters and a cost of no more than 6000 euros.
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Vismec Honeycomb Dryer DW14 H6
- Hopper volume: 6 liters
- No compressed air required
- Price: €4,660
- Product Website
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Fasti ERD Micro+
- Hopper volumes available: ½, 1, 2, or 3 liters
- Requires compressed air
- Price range: €3,100 - €3,500
- Product Website
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Labotek Compressed Air Top Dryer Type LCD 5
- Hopper volume: 5 liters
- Requires compressed air
- Price: €3,650
- Product Website
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Jetboxx Mini
- Hopper volumes available: 1/2, 1, 2.5, 5, or 6 liters
- Requires compressed air
- Price range: €4,674.60 - €4,886.60
- Product Website
Please note that these alternatives offer different features and price points, and we invite customers to choose the one that best fits their project/set-up requirements.
Future Innovations at 3devo
The discontinuation of the Airid Dryer opens the door to exciting new possibilities. Our expanded engineering team and the lessons learned from past projects have paved the way for more advanced and efficient equipment and processes. We are committed to continuous innovation and look forward to sharing our upcoming projects with you.
Conclusion: Looking Ahead
As we bid farewell to the Airid Polymer Dryer, we want to express our gratitude for your support and trust in 3devo. The future is bright, and our commitment to innovation remains stronger than ever.
We are excited to channel our resources and energy into further improvement of equipment such as the Filament Maker 2, and in the development of our new partnership-focused business plan.
Thank you for being a part of our journey, and we look forward to the next chapter together.
Check Out Our Expertise in Filament Extrusion
A Guide to 3D Printing Polymers and Materials
To Buy or Not To Buy: 3devo pricing options explained!
MFI Testing: A key validation step for novel filament extrusion