1 Topic by pirvan (edited by pirvan 2013-05-09 15:12:32)

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Topic: Extruder Fan with duct

Since I prefer to print without supports, I wanted to use an extruder fan, but didn't like the size of the available one, as it covered a lot of the area being printed, and prevented me from monitoring the extrusion.

With that in mind I set out to make my own, and the images below are of the first unit.

It's based around a 25x25x10mm fan, instead of the typical 40mm, and it's positioned on top of the extruder.  I tested the fan assembly to see how much air is actually being delivered, and it's putting a good amount of air.  How much will be needed will be determined when I do a live run, but for now I haven't yet connected the fan to the electronics board. 

I'm still debating if I should make this a manual fan or one that is G-Code driven.  Maybe early on it will be manual.  Additionally the fan is a 5-6V fan designed for RC cars, so unless I can find <6V on the controller board, I'll have to add some resistors to drop the voltage.  On the other hand it can be run off the 5V present on the USB port.

the fan will not be permanently attached, rather it will get a metal plate (actually metallic tape) on the back of the duct, so it will be held it in place by the magnets on the "semi-universal" wink  adapter.

http://digistealth.com/Public/Hosted/Extruder%20Fan%201.jpg
http://digistealth.com/Public/Hosted/Extruder%20Fan%202.jpg

NOTE:  Pictures may take a few seconds to load, I have limited bandwidth.

To print or, 3D print, that is the question...
SD3 printer w/too many mods,  Printrbot Simple Maker Ed.,  FormLabs Form 1+
AnyCubic Photon, Shining 3D EinScan-S & Atlas 3D scanners...
...and too much time on my hands.

2 Reply by jerodhelt

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Re: Extruder Fan with duct

This looks great. Have you uploaded the STL? Did you print it in one piece?

3 Reply by pirvan (edited by pirvan 2013-05-10 04:13:37)

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Re: Extruder Fan with duct

jerodhelt wrote:

This looks great. Have you uploaded the STL? Did you print it in one piece?

Thanks,

Here are the 2 STL files.  It's printed in 2 pieces, the upper part with the fan, and the lower part, the duct.

I printed the parts in the exact position they they're saved, and didn't use any support.  Depending on how well your printer prints overhangs, you might want to turn support on, it will be nearly impossible to remove from inside the duct.  I used a can of compressed air to blow cold air as the printer was doing the overhangs, but you might want to experiment a bit on your prints.

I also added the metal strip on the back of the duct to hold the assembly to the adapter I made.  Originally I was looking for some metallic tape, but all the stuff I could find was non ferrous, aluminum, or some other stuff.  Then a friend had a brilliant idea.  Why not use one of the blades from an automotive feel gauge.  They're super thin and they're made of steel.

http://digistealth.com/Public/Hosted/Extruder%20Fan%203.jpg

Post's attachments

Extruder Fan lower duct v2.STL 1.03 mb, 31 downloads since 2013-05-10 

Extruder fan top 25mm.STL 234.85 kb, 25 downloads since 2013-05-10 

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To print or, 3D print, that is the question...
SD3 printer w/too many mods,  Printrbot Simple Maker Ed.,  FormLabs Form 1+
AnyCubic Photon, Shining 3D EinScan-S & Atlas 3D scanners...
...and too much time on my hands.

4 Reply by elmoret

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Re: Extruder Fan with duct

pirvan wrote:

Pictures may take a few seconds to load, I have limited bandwidth.

www.imgur.com, or www.dropbox.com.

You can get 5v from a LM7805, or the 5v rails on the board. Resistors are not a great idea for this application.

Filastruder - the robust, inexpensive filament extruder
E3Dv6 All Metal Hotend - the premier 3D printing hotend

5 Reply by pirvan (edited by pirvan 2013-05-10 05:10:51)

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Re: Extruder Fan with duct

elmoret wrote:
pirvan wrote:

Pictures may take a few seconds to load, I have limited bandwidth.

www.imgur.com, or www.dropbox.com.

You can get 5v from a LM7805, or the 5v rails on the board. Resistors are not a great idea for this application.

I'm not a big fan of cloud services, I'd rather host my own stuff. 

I just have to get something better than DSL.  I've been meaning to check into cable, but I don't really want to lose my fixed IP address.  I've been grandfathered in with this address for the last 15 years.

Thanks for the heads up on the on-board 5V rail.

To print or, 3D print, that is the question...
SD3 printer w/too many mods,  Printrbot Simple Maker Ed.,  FormLabs Form 1+
AnyCubic Photon, Shining 3D EinScan-S & Atlas 3D scanners...
...and too much time on my hands.

6 Reply by CrazyBear

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Re: Extruder Fan with duct

Do you have the STL file for the semi-universal adapter? smile

Thanks,

CB

7 Reply by pirvan

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Re: Extruder Fan with duct

CrazyBear wrote:

Do you have the STL file for the semi-universal adapter? smile

Thanks,

CB

Yeah, I posted that on another thread:

http://www.soliforum.com/topic/2289/sd3 … ead-mount/

To print or, 3D print, that is the question...
SD3 printer w/too many mods,  Printrbot Simple Maker Ed.,  FormLabs Form 1+
AnyCubic Photon, Shining 3D EinScan-S & Atlas 3D scanners...
...and too much time on my hands.