Vent Duct Quick Connect System

prusaprinters

<p>These vase-mode prints can be used to set up flexible ducting (6 inch, 4 inch, 3 inch) with tube_end connectors to allow for quick reconfigurations. &nbsp;This only works for exhaust vent ducting (suction, not pressure), and only if the duct connections aren't put under any tension. &nbsp;The parts aren't particularly sturdy; they're optimized for quick printing not for strength.</p><p>The OD of the nominal 6 inch, 4 inch, and 3 inch portions is set to exactly the nominal size. &nbsp;The ID of the larger end pieces is what has the stated clearance (0p00, 0p17, 0p25). &nbsp;I recommend test-printing a few layers of the larger end (of any part that has a larger end) to verify reasonable fit and adjusting the clearance in the .f3d as needed before printing a whole part.</p><p>On an mk3s+, with 0.98 extrusion multiplier and 1.2 mm extrusion width on a 0.4 mm nozzle, the 0p00 clearance parts just barely connect together with themselves, with the particular PETG I was using.</p><p>The 0p25 clearance seems to work fairly well for connecting to 3D printed duct adapters that aren't printed in vase mode. &nbsp;The 0p17 clearance also can work for those but is quite a bit tighter.</p><p>PETG seems to have enough flexibility and strength to tolerate being clamped onto flex ducting without breaking, but don't crank it down too hard or it probably will break. &nbsp;I wouldn't recommend PLA for these, but in some usages it could work for a while.</p><p>As a usage example, you could quickly route a flexible duct to some temporary location in a garage or room where you might be doing a one-off project involving stinky resin or soldering or stinky paint or glue or a temporary source of excess heat or whatever, then quickly reconfigure things back to normal once that's done sucking fumes/heat outside.</p><p>See also this print for splitting a 6 inch duct into three 4 inch ducts:</p><p><a href="https://www.prusaprinters.org/prints/110253-1_6_to_3_4-duct-adapter">https://www.prusaprinters.org/prints/110253-1_6_to_3_4-duct-adapter</a></p><p>There are also models around for splitting 1 to 2, and 1 to 4. &nbsp;As long as those have OD == nominal, those should also work with these quick-connects.</p><p>These aren't really meant for interfacing with sheet metal ducting / adaptors / T splitters / etc, but with enough clearance maybe they'd sorta work, probably with quite a bit of leakage.</p><p>The .f3d is parameterized. &nbsp;In particular if you have a larger diameter nozzle like 0.6 or 0.8 or more, you could boost the extrusion width in the .f3d and in the slicer to get overall stronger parts. &nbsp;The pre-prepared parts all assume 0.4 mm nozzle capable of doing a vase mode 1.2mm extrusion width (which normally would be pushing extrusion width pretty far, but works fine for vase mode).</p><p>&nbsp;</p>