Flashforge – Ventilated Drying Station (VDS)

Fast Filament Drying for Reliable 3D Printing

Moisture is one of the most common causes of poor 3D printing quality. The Flashforge Ventilated Drying Station (VDS) is designed to dry up to 4 filament spools simultaneously at temperatures of up to 85°C, with independent temperature control for each of its two drying chambers.

The station also supports printing directly while drying, allowing filament to feed directly from the sealed chamber to the printer. This keeps the filament dry from the drying process through to the start of printing.

The station works seamlessly with the Flashforge Creator 5 Pro and can also be used with the Adventurer 5M Pro and any other 3D printer.

Key Features

• Capacity for up to 4 spools simultaneously.
• Two independent chambers, with separate temperature control for each chamber.
• Drying temperatures of up to 85°C.
• 360° wraparound hot-air circulation for even heat distribution.
• Intelligent dehumidification system to help keep filament dry.
• Print while drying, with filament feeding directly from the spools inside the sealed chambers.
• Real-time temperature and humidity monitoring for each chamber via the LED touchscreen.
• Local and network control.
• One-touch drying function.
• Over-temperature protection.
• Compact and lightweight design, measuring 400 × 279 × 247 mm.
• Compatible with a wide range of 3D printers; a Flashforge printer is not required.

Why Do You Need to Dry Filament?

3D printing filament absorbs moisture from the air, and moisture can directly affect print quality, causing issues such as:

• Excessive stringing between parts of the model.
• Bubbling during printing.
• Weak layer adhesion.
• Rough and uneven surfaces.
• Reduced print quality and accuracy.

Some materials, such as Nylon and PVA, are particularly sensitive to moisture and can absorb it within just a few hours after opening the package.

The VDS addresses this issue by drying filament at a controlled temperature and keeping it inside a sealed, dry environment while feeding it directly to the printer.

Two Independent Chambers – Dry Different Materials at the Same Time

The station features two independently controlled drying chambers, allowing each chamber to operate at a different temperature.

For example, you can dry:

• PLA in one chamber.
• Nylon in the other chamber.

The display shows the current temperature and humidity of each chamber independently, giving you precise control over the drying process.

Print Directly from the Drying Station

One of the key advantages of the VDS is its ability to print directly while the filament is being dried.

Filament is fed directly from the spool inside the sealed chamber to the printer, eliminating the need to remove the spool and expose it to ambient air and moisture before printing.

This is particularly useful for multi-material 3D printing, as moisture-sensitive materials such as Nylon and PVA can remain in a dry environment while being used.

Printer Compatibility

The VDS does not require a Flashforge printer to operate.

Filament can be fed directly from the drying station to any 3D printer in your workshop or production environment.

The station also provides additional integration with Flashforge multi-extruder printers such as the Creator 5 Pro, allowing the station to communicate directly with the printer.

Supported Filaments

The station supports a wide range of 3D printing filaments, including:

• PLA
• PETG
• ABS
• TPU
• PC
• PA / Nylon
• Fibre-reinforced filaments

Filament and Spool Sizes

• Filament diameter: 1.75 mm and 2.85 mm
• Spool diameter: up to 202 mm
• Spool width: up to 70 mm

Technical Specifications

Model: Flashforge Ventilated Drying Station (VDS).

Spool Capacity: Holds up to 4 filament spools, with two spools per chamber.

Drying Chambers: Two independently controlled chambers with separate temperature control.

Maximum Drying Temperature: Up to 85°C.

Drying System: 360° wraparound hot-air circulation with active dehumidification.

Supported Filaments: PLA, PETG, ABS, TPU, PC, PA, and fibre-reinforced filaments.

Filament Diameter: Supports 1.75 mm and 2.85 mm filament.

Spool Size: Supports spools up to 202 mm in diameter and 70 mm in width.

Compatibility: Compatible with all 3D printers, with direct integration support for Flashforge multi-extruder printers such as the Creator 5 Pro.

Display: LED touchscreen for easy operation and monitoring.

Monitoring: Real-time temperature and humidity display for each chamber.

Control: Local and network control, with one-touch drying functionality.

Protection: Built-in over-temperature protection.

Power: Maximum 530 W.

Operating Voltage: AC 100–240 V.

Frequency: 50/60 Hz.

Dimensions: 400 × 279 × 247 mm.

Weight: 2.7 kg.

Creator 5 Pro

The VDS is designed to be an ideal companion for the Flashforge Creator 5 Pro.

Four filament spools can be placed inside the drying chambers, allowing the printer's four extruders to be fed directly from filament stored in a sealed and dry environment.

This makes the system particularly well suited for multi-material printing, especially when using moisture-sensitive materials such as Nylon and PVA.

Frequently Asked Questions

Which materials benefit most from drying?

Nylon and PVA are among the materials that absorb moisture most rapidly. PLA, PETG, ABS, TPU, PC, and fibre-reinforced filaments can also benefit from being stored and printed in a dry environment.

Can two different materials be dried at the same time?

Yes. The station features two independently controlled chambers, allowing each chamber to be set to a different temperature.

Do I need a Flashforge printer?

No. The station can feed filament directly from its sealed chambers to any 3D printer.

Can I print while the filament is drying?

Yes. Filament can be fed directly from the drying station to the printer while the drying process is running.

How many spools can it hold?

The station can hold 4 spools, with two spools in each chamber.

Conclusion

The Flashforge Ventilated Drying Station (VDS) is a dedicated solution for drying and maintaining 3D printing filament in a controlled environment. It offers a capacity of up to four spools, two independently controlled chambers, drying temperatures of up to 85°C, active dehumidification, and 360° hot-air circulation.

Its ability to feed filament directly to the printer while drying helps minimize the effects of moisture and improve printing consistency and quality, particularly when working with moisture-sensitive materials.