Fully Parametric "Nozzle"/Funnel/Flow Regulator

Do you wish your glue/paint/other fluid container had a different nozzle that was more suited for your current job?

Do you wish you could tailor one to your specific needs, knowing very little about CAD?

Are you a Fusion360 user, or could be convinced to sign up for a free account? Or do you use a CAD app capable of handling STEP files?

Then you might find this interesting.

This was originally designed as a parametric "nozzle", for situations when the usual glue/gel paints/piping bag/etc nozzle isn't reaching far enough into small spaces, or is a bit hard to squeeze enough material through.

However, that's apparently under selling this thing.

A friend of mine used it in a "flat nozzle" configuration as an interchangeable, colour coded iris for his pin hole camera experiment. (I believe he designated specific hole diameters to particular colours to see which worked the best). A colleague used it in a "bullet shape" as some sort of in-line flow regulator in glass laboratory equipment, I've seen a similar model that works well as a friction-fit horn/bell end of PVC based musical instruments.... and in my tinkering, I widened the tip, and narrowed the "socket" to make a funnel. My willing model beta testers have just informed me that with the right varieties of TPU, this "nozzle" works well as a replacement for "bottle nipples", for rescuing endangered wildlife during the recent bush fires. I get the logic, but I may never look at a glue bottle quite the same way now. 0_o

I'd love to see what others come up with... or where this thing might end up!

WHY USE THIS MODEL?

Being parametric, you can customize pretty much ALL dimensions from scratch in 60 seconds or less, doing nothing more than entering the dimension sizes in. Once done, simply export the STL/3MF/whatever file to your slicer of choice. You can be printing in next to no time. (Specific instructions included below)

Perhaps you need to colour code nozzles for easy tip size identification, or you need different longer/narrower nozzle dimensions to reach hard to access places. Or you can widen it up, and shorten it for better use with more viscous fluids or confined spaces where length may be a burden.

Tapered, friction fit socket so you can attach it to existing nozzles without having to worry about thread sizes/pitch/etc... you can also reverse the taper and INSERT it into a pipe or bottle opening too with a little thought.

WHY WOULDN'T YOU USE THIS MODEL?

This model can't be used in a simple "download > slice > print" procedure. It has to be customized to your needs. To do that, you need a CAD app capable of editing Fusion360 files (F3D), and I've had requests for step files too, so maybe other CAD apps can work with the included step file too.

As a nozzle, it's not good for high pressure applications "as is". There are no threads to hold this nozzle in place. Mostly because there are situations where thread identification is beyond the capability of many crafters/DIYers, and the finest threads would be problematic for anything but well calibrated printers. So this uses a light, tapered friction fit socket to seal the gaps, but will require tape or an additional hand to ensure it doesn't "pop off". Think of it more as a nozzle extender... if that helps.

While Fusion is free for hobby use, it's quite powerful and won't run on slow computers very well... if at all. So there's some concerns with compatibility there.

HOW DO I USE THE F3D FILE?

Open the f3d file in Fusion360. While in "Design mode" Hit the FX button > user parameters... if you're not using full-screen/maximised window (or just haven't added the parameter button to the tool bar) then the FX button may not be there. In that case:

Click: solid >modify > parameters > user parameters

...and adjust/enter the values as needed. The parameter names are explained in my uploaded image.

Simply enter your (carefully measured and noted) measurements for the nozzle/bottle opening/whatever. Adjust the diameters of all four points on the adaptor, and adjust the distances between them to taste.

Then I just right click on the body name (in the browser section on the left side of the screen) then select export mesh > save that as an STL/3MF/whatever, and slice it up accordingly using your slicer software of choice.

Please note: If you're a user of the original AnkerMake slicer instead of the beta AnkerMake Studio which is Prusa Slicer based, then please note you should export as STL because the AnkerMake slicer app doesn't handle 3MF files. PrusaSlicer and Cura based slicer users should be fine with 3MF files.

If you're making a nozzle where the tip (not the socket) is wider than the base (a funnel like object) then the included lid/cap (listed in the browser section under "Bodies"), should not be printed since it would be impossible to connect/disconnect. However, while I'm sure there's a few situations where a narrowed tip extending from a wider base where the cap might also cease being compatible with a particular nozzle shape.

IF THERE ARE ANY QUESTIONS/FEEDBACK/ETC?

The parameters should be self-explanatory, please see the included diagram...but to ensure your success, I'll add some suggestions here and there:

Try to remember to set your slicer to align the seams, then smooth it out with a light sanding on the inside (if designed to connect to the outside of any attachments) or outside if the nozzle is being inserted to piping bags or other situations for improved sealing.

I hope this helps you with your crafting/DIY/hobby endeavours. All the best!

Ham.