Ultra-Efficient Can Cooler (Koozie)

3D Printed Insulation Proof-of-Concept

This printable object demonstrates the efficacy of using 3D printed materials in insulation applications. This paper shows that PLA can reach a greater insulation value than rockwool insulation. This technology could be used in future buildings as premanufactured insulation panels, or as part of greater print-in-place solutions, utilizing multi-material printing for building structural components.

 

 

This can cooler design reaches a similar or greater efficiency to that of my stainless steel vacuum-insulated Hydroflask can cooler.

The design incorporates several features to make it more efficient.

 

• Double walled design - Slows transfer of heat to your drink
• Double air gap - Uses the insulating properties of trapped air
• No infill in walls - Reduces thermal bridging between walls
• Minimal can contact area - Reduces thermal bridging between inner wall and can
• Prints in PLA - Low thermal conductivity (0.13 W/mK)

 

Sizes:

The plain wall version is deprecated, as it was far less popular than the fluted version.

Fluted sizes are as below:

• North America 12oz
• North America “Light” 12oz (Coors and Busch light have a slightly slimmer 12oz can)
• North America 16oz
• 12oz Slim (Michelob Ultra, Slim Hard Seltzers, Red Bull 355ml and others)
• Imperial Pint/"Stovepipe" Beer (19.2oz/568ml Craft Beers and Liquid Death “King Size”)
• AriZona Tea 22oz (Should also fit 22oz beers like Corona, etc)
• Red Bull 250ml (8.4oz)
• Euro 330ml
• Euro 330ml sleek
• Euro 500ml (also fits Liquid Death 16.9oz can)
• Euro 440ml “half-liter”
• Australia “Classic” 375ml

 

If you find that you need another size, please let me know in the comments with the exact dimensions of the can in mm (Diameter and Total Height). Please also include the vertical distance from the bottom edge of the can shoulder to the top rim. Future sizes will be added to the fluted profile only unless specifically requested.

 

PRINTING: It is best to print from the 3mf files as the fluted version uses a height range modifier to restrict the infill generation between the walls.

If printing from the STL, it would be best to use the plain wall version, since it has the air gap modeled in.

NOTE: The plain wall profile has a default seam alignment of random. This will cause small spots to appear in a random distribution around the exterior of the object. I like the look and the added grip. (See photos of plain wall prints in comments) If you do not want this, you need to change the seam alignment to aligned. If you change this setting, you will instead get a visible seam down the side, which I find to be quite ugly.

 

Change Log

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UPDATE 9/20/25:

Added 440ml plain wall version as requested by user @3deuy

Reversed Change Log entry order

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UPDATE 9/15/25:

Added Euro 440ml “half-liter” size.

Adjusted Red Bull 250ml can height as suggested by user @Rainekprods.

Added 33cl slim to plain wall profile as requested by user @do_mi_94

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UPDATE 5/14/25:

Added 12oz “Light” size.

Designed for Coors light cans, but should also fit Busch light and other cans measuring 63Dx133H

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UPDATE 3/21/25:

Added 330ml sleek size.

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UPDATE 3/19/25:

Added Imperial Pint/"Stovepipe" Beer (19.2oz/568ml) size.

Added AriZona Tea 22oz (and 22oz Beer) size.

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UPDATE 3/16/25:

Added 250ml (8.4oz) Red Bull size.

Added Australian classic 375ml size.

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UPDATE 3/15/25:

Added Euro sizes 330ml and 500ml.

Added NA 12oz Slim (Michelob Ultra, Hard Seltzer, etc.) [Should also fit Red Bull 355ml (12oz)?]

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UPDATE 3/12/25:

Added 16 oz compatible size for both versions to existing print profiles. Print either the standard 12oz or taller 16oz plate.

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