3DQF Library 
So do 3DQF make it?

How 3DQF Produces High-Quality 3D Printing Filament

At 3DQF, we manufacture precision 3D printing filament by carefully optimising each step of the production process. While this is not unique in itself, we stand out in how we properly prepare raw materials for production.

 

1. Drying & Material Preparation
Before extrusion, raw polymer must be thoroughly dried to remove moisture. Unlike most filament manufacturers that use hot air dryers, we utilise a custom-designed desiccant drying system, achieving moisture levels as low as 400 PPM (Parts Per Million) for perfect material consistency. This is an expensive step and one that is often skipped in favour of cheap, inadequate equipment.

Once the material is vacuum-loaded into the drying system, it does not come into contact with ambient air until after production is complete. Our equipment handles the raw pellets with utmost care, conveying them under vacuum and maintaining a dry environment with a dew point of at least -65°C.

 

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2. Extrusion & Colouring
Dried pellets enter a vacuum feed system, linking the drying system directly to our extruders. This is where we mix in colour using a gravimetric dosing system for consistent batch-to-batch coloration. The material then feeds into our extruder, where it is mixed under extreme pressure and precise temperature control before being extruded into a 5mm filament strand.

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3. Cooling & Dimensional Control
The molten filament is extruded from the die face at approximately 5mm in outer diameter. It then passes through three water-cooling zones, each precisely temperature-controlled to prevent warping and voids caused by thermal shrinkage. To remove excess water, the filament then moves through an air knife system that eliminates surface moisture.

A dual-axis laser micrometer continuously measures the filament diameter, feeding real-time data into a closed-loop system that adjusts pulling speed to maintain tight tolerances. The filament’s diameter is controlled by the stable flow of material through the extruder and the tractor (haul-off) system pulling from the production line. Both systems must be correctly calibrated and functioning properly to maintain our ±0.03mm tolerance.

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4. Spooling & Packaging
To ensure seamless production, we use a dancer (accumulator) system that allows spool changes without stopping the process. The dancer system temporarily stores up to 250 metres of filament, ensuring continuous operation even during spool changes. It’s a bad day if the line operator fails to swap the spool before storage capacity runs out!

Each spool is then sealed, labelled, and stored, ready for boxing upon dispatch and distribution.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Why Choose 3DQF?
✔ Moisture-free filament for reliable prints
✔ Tightly controlled diameters for smooth extrusion
✔ Consistent colours, batch after batch
✔ Continuous production for maximum efficiency
✔ Full product accountability & traceability
✔ Direct supply from a UK manufacturer – no middlemen!

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This is how we ensure top-tier filament quality—ready for all your 3D printing needs!