May 28, 2019
Description
After years of trying to avoid solder fumes I found it time to design and print my own extractor arrangement.
Initially the idea was to produce a desktop located unit, but due to space restrictions and consequent positioning issues, I decided on a swivel arm mounted method. This enables the use of an exit hose which helps avoid redistributing toxic fumes and particulates around one's room void by capturing them with filters along the airflow route.
OK, so this one uses either a 120mm or 140mm diameter fan onto which are attached an entry scoop and a rear exit funnel with a lip to avoid the extraction hose from working loose & slipping off. (It will of course use either a wire tie or hose clamp to secure the 100mm diameter hose in place.)
If however your setup does generate a serious amount of fumes, then you may want to use a fan delivering at least 40 CF/min airflow - just check the outside dimensions before buying, otherwise you may have to modify the fan collar aperture the old fasion way with a file!
The scoop at 3mm thick is about 193mm in diameter on the front end.
If a larger fan blade diameter is desired, it is possible to take this up to 140mm, in which case it is only the interior void of the fan collar and filter guard which need redesigning, as there is still an extra 10mm clearance to play with on each side in the existing 120mm version. (https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Arctic-F14-140mm-Case-Fan-Low-Noise/252831090575?epid=2256130955&hash=item3adde8478f:m:mM1VDy-h1k_zvEP0aqdlUlQ)
This expansion would enable e.g. the use of an Arctic F14 Pro Low Noise PWM unit with a 12V PWM motor controller, enabling a whopping rated 74CFM airflow - if you needed it of course! The resulting thinner fan collar (5mm thick) will then likely need printing at 25% or more to maintain strength integrity.
140mm fan collar and filter guard .STL files are now added.
The mounting lug which attaches to the desktop swivel arm is best printed in high density for strength. It has 4x holes for M3 machine screws, the heads of which are inserted into counterbored holes on the inside of the fan collar.
The mounting lug attaches to the swivel arm with a nyloc nut & bolt through either axis of the counterbored holes in the lug.
There is now the provision to incorporate a circular set of LEDs onto a separate ring which in turn fits onto the inside front edge of the scoop (files uploaded). A reasonable amount of force (gentle but firm!) is required to attach it to the front of the scoop, rather like fitting the rim of a tyre onto the wheel of a bycycle. I'm using PET for the LED ring as it's just that little bit more robust - and not quite as brittle, as PLA.
This addition thus enables illumination of the job in hand, be it soldering, 3D printing or anything else requiring fume extraction. It could also have other uses on its own, such as a ring light for photography etc.
UPDATE 27/07/2021: Although the LED mod is still being completed, there is now an additional exit funnel with a longer rear barrel (uploaded here), to accommodate the collar for it at: (https://www.thingiverse.com/thing:4916934. The .f3d file for the collar is available there as well, for those who'd like to tinker with & modify it to suit.)
Update 29/07/2021: LED lightring printing files are now uploaded. As I'm still waiting for the LEDs to arrive, I shall be wiring & soldering them up before uploading the photo of them in operation. The arrangement for wiring (for those who don't want to wait!), ought to be similar to the workstation holder LED magnifier (check out thing:3486257) arrangement,
i.e. There are 48 holes for 3mm LEDs, the pairs of LED wires are arranged with them running 'parallel' to the circumference of the ring (not at right angles to it!), wired in sets of either 3 or 4 LEDs in series and those sets then wired in parallel, running off a single 12V power supply.
This supply can then have its own control module to adjust the LEDs' brightness. The LEDs are angled towards a focal point along the central axis, about 300-350mm from the LED ring itself - getting this correct in CAD was the most difficult process in putting it together, as merely projecting them all forward and parrallel to each other seemed somewhat aimless...
License:
Creative Commons - Attribution
1,234