Berd-Air Tube Bender (3 mm)

Tried to build my own "Berd-Air"-style tube. As there are no tube bender available on thingiverse that allowing to bend a 360°- circle, I had to design my own. The procedure of bending is quiet simple:

1.Things you need:

• aluminium tube (3mm od)
• screws:
  • 1 x M3 x 10 mm
  • 1 x M3 x 20 mm
  • 1 x M3 Nut (not necessary)
  • 2 x M6 screws (as lever)
• drill (I took 1,5 mm)
• plier
• and a 3D-printer of course ;-)

1. Things to print:

• 1 x U-form
• 1 x Retainer
• 2 x Wheel big
• 1 x Wheel small
• Drilling template (the one you like. Template 1 has an angle of 45° to align the drill more easily)

1. Assembling:

• Clamp the end of the tube with a plier to protect air leake
• Mount the Tube bender as shown in the picture. (The large wheel consists of 2 parts to facilitate disassembly at full bend).
• Bend the tube

1. Drilling holes

• Calculated, the optimal drilling angle should be 18.4 degrees. I have tested this angle and found a problem: At this angle, a lot of air escapes towards the hotend and influences the printing temperature. The best angle so far as a compromise of temperature stability and cooling, I have now found at 45 °.

If you like my design, leave me a like or comment if you have an idea to improve it :)

edit:

• added a Retainer with vise mount. Could be a little more difficult to print.

• I ordered the pumps in germany from pollin electronics:

  • 12 V version:
    https://www.pollin.de/p/luftpumpe-daypower-lp36-12-12-v-330071
  • 24 V version:
    https://www.pollin.de/p/luftpumpe-daypower-lp36-24-24-v-330072