Stupid Simple Downward Cooling fan duct

thingiverse

I consider downward cooling to be crucial in achieving exceptional outcomes. After experimenting with various methods for adding downward cooling to Rep1 style machines for years, I decided it was time to adopt a solution that meets my exacting requirements. These were: Installation and removal of the fan must be incredibly quick and easy, allowing for swift access (i.e., no teardown) when clearing the filament path. The use of a radial fan instead of a puny box fan is also a priority. Speed control is essential. I employ a sturdy hook and loop system to secure the unaltered radial fan directly to the face of the extruder carriage. It's worth noting that if you follow the instructions for using this tape, you will observe that it needs at least 24 hours for the adhesive to fully cure. After that period, the fan will be held on reliably and securely. Next, I developed a range of duct designs and discovered that the most effective downward cooling approach involved reaching between the hot blocks, so this design would not endure long. Consequently, I created two more designs. Each was printed at high speed to ensure easy replacement when necessary. To make the duct install with a pressure fit, I utilized thin kapton tape on the inner lip of the duct where it meets the fan. In the event that the duct collides with a lifting print, it will easily detach without causing any damage. Easy installation and removal are achieved. Lastly, I power the fan using a 1amp variable voltage universal AC/DC converter. The fan operates at 12v, which is then reduced to around 9v using the converter. This setup proves very effective for downward cooling. It's vital to mount the fan with the carriage in its forwardmost position, ensuring that it clears the case. The Replicator 2 Printer model I used was made by MakerBot, a top-rated manufacturer. Key settings for this project included a 10% infill percentage and .2mm layer height resolution.