It's finally here - the first temperature tests of the Filametric Solo! We're super excited to share these results with you guys, together with the safety features we're implementing. As icing on the cake, we included the first insights into our closed-loop PID controller. This intelligent controller precisely regulates both the temperature and airflow, ensuring that target temperatures are not only reached as quickly as possible, but also maintained with remarkable stability.

Community-Driven Evolution: From 70°C to 90°C

Through extensive engineering and testing, we've taken the Filametric Solo to new heights. While our initial design targeted a maximum air outlet temperature of 70°C, the passionate feedback from our 3D printing community inspired us to push the boundaries further. When makers expressed their desire for higher drying temperatures up to 90°C, we took on the challenge. After countless hours of rigorous testing, component optimization, and thermal engineering refinements, we're excited to announce that we've successfully redesigned the Solo to achieve these higher temperatures without compromising safety or reliability.

Filament Drying Data: 90°C and <6% Humidity Achieved

The data speaks for itself. The interactive chart below shows temperature and humidity measurements from a real test run of our Filametric Solo.

As the temperature steadily rises to and stabilizes at 90°C (194°F), the relative humidity drops dramatically, staying below 6% while the target temperature is maintained.

This combination of high, consistent temperature and low humidity creates the optimal environment for drying hygroscopic filaments like Nylon, PC, and PVA. The heat drives off moisture while the low humidity prevents the filament from reabsorbing ambient moisture.

Safety first: triple-layer protection 🛡

At Filametric, we take safety very seriously. The Solo incorporates three sophisticated safety systems working in harmony to ensure worry-free operation:

1. Automatic temperature cut-off. We've implemented a robust thermal safety system by directly attaching a thermal cut-off device to our heating element. This clever piece of engineering acts as your device's first line of defense. If the heating element's temperature ever exceeds our predetermined safety threshold, the cut-off device instantly interrupts power to the heating element.
2. Advanced airflow protection. The Solo features a smart airflow monitoring system that constantly compares the actual fan speed with the commanded speed. If the airflow drops below the required level needed for safe operation, the system immediately initiates a protective shutdown. This ensures that your device always maintains optimal cooling, preventing any risk of overheating – even in scenarios like unexpected blockages or fan issues.
3. Internal temperature monitoring. As a final safety net, we've integrated a precise thermistor system that keeps watch over the internal temperature of the entire device. This sensor acts as an additional layer of protection, monitoring for any unusual temperature patterns throughout the Solo. If it detects temperatures outside of safe operating ranges, it triggers an automatic shutdown to protect both the device and your filament.

Precision at its Finest: Our Advanced PID Control System

Let's talk about what makes the Filametric Solo so smart at managing temperature. We've built what we call a PID controller - think of it as the brain of the Solo that controls both the heater and fan simultaneously.

The interactive graph above reveals exactly how our precision temperature control works. You can explore different aspects of the system:

• Temperature & Control View: This default view shows you the complete picture - watch how the blue temperature line rises smoothly to meet the green target line, while the orange control signal adjusts power in real-time. Notice how when a disturbance occurs at 120 seconds, the control signal immediately responds.
• Temperature Only View: Switch to this view to focus purely on temperature performance. See how quickly the Solo reaches your target temperature (90°C) and maintains it with minimal fluctuation. The temporary dip at 120 seconds (simulating opening the box) is quickly corrected, demonstrating the Solo's rapid recovery capability.
• Control Signal Only View: This view reveals the "behind-the-scenes" work happening in the Solo. The initial high power surge (near 100%) gets you to temperature fast, then the control signal modulates precisely to maintain stability. When a disturbance occurs, watch how the signal spikes to compensate and then returns to equilibrium.

It's like having a super-fast assistant that's constantly checking the temperature and making tiny adjustments to the heater and fan. If it's too cold, it adds more heat. Too hot? It cools things down. All of this happens in a split second, way faster than any human could react.

The best part? You don't have to worry about any of this. Just set your temperature, and the Solo takes care of the rest. With this level of responsive control, your filament receives consistent, optimal drying conditions throughout the entire process.

Stay updated!

Want to be the first one to receive updates and talk directly to the Filametric team? Or do you have any feature requests? You can now by joining our Discord channel! Become part of the hottest filament dryer community today! 🔥