Summary

A prototype automatic resin refill extension.

For large prints that will consume a lot of resin. This will keep the vat filled overnight, or even all the way depending on your resin consumption.

It is designed to fit a 60ml Chubby Gorilla type PET bottle
and 6mm wide plastic straws.

NB: Most plastic straws are made from Polypropylene which requires special glue. Make sure to use glue that specifically states to be compatible with PP and PE such as Loctite Plastics.

Print Settings

Printer Brand:

3D Systems

                                            <p class="detail-setting printer"><strong>Printer: </strong>                     <div><p>Cube</p></div></p>                                                                                <p class="detail-setting rafts"><strong>Rafts: </strong>                     <div><p>No</p></div></p>                                                                                <p class="detail-setting supports"><strong>Supports: </strong>                     <div><p>No</p></div></p>                                                                                <p class="detail-setting resolution"><strong>Resolution: </strong>                     <div><p>0.2mm </p></div></p>                                                                                <p class="detail-setting infill"><strong>Infill: </strong>                     <div><p>solid</p></div></p>                                                    <strong>Filament:</strong> proprietary PLA                    <br>                        <p class="detail-setting notes"><strong>Notes: </strong>                    </p><div><p>I just printed the prototype on the Cube because it was closest to my desk.  Almost any other printer will do a better job, with better layer height and more control over skirts, infill and resolution.</p></div>

Post-Printing

            <div><h2>You will also need:</h2><ul><li>A plastic bottle (Chubby Gorilla 60ml)</li><li>bendy drinking straws ⌀6mm</li><li>small piece of wire (I used 0.6mm magnet wire that I had laying around)</li><li>small piece of foam sheet to make a seal from<br>(can be anything squishy really)</li><li>PE/PP compatible plastic glue</li></ul><p>Make sure the whole assembly is air-tight ! If the cap does not seal properly the entire contents of the bottle can empty out prematurely and potentially spill over your vat.</p><p>A wire is inserted into the straw to help the air bubbles flow past the resin more easily. Without the wire the resin will happily stay suspended upside down in the bottle, especially the more viscous ones.</p><p>A few more words about the glue. I used regular super glue for everything except for the straws. Super glue alone and in fact most other glues don't work on Polypropylene (what most straws are made of). I used the local equivalent of Loctite Plastics System (Selleys All Plastics Fix) which comes with glue and primer.</p><p><em>Let me know your suggestions and improvements here or in the comment section of the youtube video.</em></p></div>                <p class="detail-video"><iframe src="//www.youtube.com/embed/PTjrMHg5-7g" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe></p>

Sparkmaker Vat Extender

Sparkmaker Vat Extender

A prototype automatic resin refill extension.

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