Vacuum Assist

thingiverse

I started using the Amolen vacuum storage bags with the rechargable automatic pump. It seemed to be a great idea, but I had consistent issues where the air was vacating very slowly from the sealed bag. Looking at the setup closely, the other side of the bag seemed to close off the air valve inside the bag when the vacuum pump was placed over the valve. This little vacuum assist ring was my solution. It puts breathable space between the bag and the air valve. Drop a ring into the corner of the bag where the air valve is, with flat ring side up facing the air valve before sealing. Reposition the ring under the air valve as needed in the sealed bag, and place the automatic pump so that it sits on top of the ring positioned over the air valve. Power on the pump and the air should evacuate quickly. I filled the printer bed with copies and printed enough to always have a little vacuum assist ring available when storing filament.