I took a series of photos of how I pack up up the remainder of my 10KG bags, Once I have put them in a document, I can share it here for others to use.
I also recorded a video of filling the fresh hopper that I can share as well.
I have not really had any issues with the 10KG bags.
One bonus here is I have the “glovebox” addon which has disabled the ventilation fan.
I would also love to see any photos/videos you’ve got! IIRC Formlabs advises to fill with the ventilation fan on, and the hood closed, but it’s so much easier with the fan turned off and the hood open.
Do they really say that? It did not make it to the published documentation on the website.
I was turning on the ventilation fan to fill my hopper but found that it was picking up too much of the new powder. Plus it is a mild hassle to turn it back off for the glovebox mode.
I will share the media soon.
I was mistaken on the hood part, but it does look like they advise turning the vent on.
With that said, I’m with you… it’s painful watching all that fresh powder get sucked into the filter. I have said screw it a couple times, opened the hood and left the vent off and it was a much smoother process. I’m sure they suggest the vent to limit airborne powder, but I’d say it’s worth the risk,
I missed that line when I skimmed the doc.
Airborne powder is definitely a concern, I always wear my respirator when working with the power, save for a quick transport of parts from each of the three machines, which is “fine” so long as you are slow and methodical.
the best part of the glovebox addon is the ability to save on the disposable gloves.
I capture and reuse the powder from the big filter, with no obvious averse effects. YMMV.
How do you capture the powder from the filter? I’d like to give that a try
This is my method:
I asked formlabs to put a tap on side of bag like boxed wine has this way you have control. On future sift designs a refiller chute would be great. I also find that when new powder goes in it creates air pockets so I use a clean rod to disperse them helps a little. No doubt the jugs were best.
Dear Formlabs Team,
This is obviously a major topic and issue for Fuse users. Are you gonna do something about it or just keep ignoring it?
profits > customers
Hi everyone,
Thank you for continuing the discussion!
Please rest assured that we hear your feedback and are continuing to investigate our options. Your suggestions and feedback are helpful and do not go unnoticed. We’ll be sure to provide an update as soon as we have more to share.
Best regards,
Sophia
Opening and Closing PA12 Bags.pdf (835.7 KB)
Here a basic document for how I prepare the bags for pouring as well as stowing.
With this method, I do not get ‘air pockets’ in my hopper,
If you have the “Glovebox” addon, keep the ventilator fan off and wear your N95 mask or suitable respirator. With this method AND with the glovebox addon, I have not had any contamination issues.
Pouring:
You need to cut a large hole due to how the bags are originally sealed,
Then cut a “v” into the side so that the powder does not spilled past the grate.
Note: Try to make a single continuous cut as it may be be easy to drop slivers of the bag into the powder. A fresh sharp utility knife might be better than scissors, Just be safe.
Stowing:
Fold at down at the top of the label,
Gently, carefully, and SLOWLY squeeze the air out (You MUST do this slow so as to not loose your precious powder and to not damage the bag),
Fold the top corners in,
Fold the top edge down from the bottom edge of the top label,
Fasten with clips.
My video did not turn out so I will have to try again later.
Getting on here with my morning coffee and seeing demonstrations and PDF’s on how to deal with these new trash bags of powder has become my weekly entertainment…it’s like the old days and Sunday morning cartoons…. haha 
The thing that makes this more ridiculous is that all the other powder types still come in the jugs…
To be fair, not all. Though, at least ALM uses very heavy duty plastic and a reusable zip tie.
I cut my bag top short, just to avoid contamination and it was fairly easy to fill up the sift.
I used an old FL jug to store the excess though. Bags suck.
Unbelievable the amount of time and effort is taking them to justify the bags.
i think you are giving them too much credit. they have only made a few statements to justify the bags, minimal effort.
If they actually produced a workflow for using the bags without contamination or making a huge mess, then that would be making half an effort lol
So just to add a little off topic to this FL is now offering 3dprinting services, maybe it’s better to just order the parts and let them have the mess at filling the machine instead of buying one and have to find workarounds for using the lock in ecosystem or loosing features when you have an OML.
https://www.voxelmatters.com/formlabs-is-about-to-launch-form-now-its-own-3d-printing-service/
Usually a sign that “we need another way to make money”. Could be wrong tho,
that and the new policy to tack on a $25 service fee if ordering products less than $2500 from a 3rd party.
there is smoke coming from below the decks of this ship.
