Cooling with an air pump? So I have been printing ABS for about an year and a half. Now that I think that I have more or less mastered ABS I made my first attempts at PLA. After doing some first prints, which were so-so because of insufficient cooling, I installed two radial 40mm fans blowing directly at the part. Huge improvement but still insufficient. So I thought I could go big and use an air pump. There are huge advantages: - no need for large fans around the hot end, just one small tube - if a metal tube is used the air flow can be directed very precisely so there is no risk of cooling down the nozzle as well - sufficient air flow So I googled a bit and found that obviously I am not the only one to come up with this idea: http://www.tridimake.com/2016/05/3d-printing-cooling-with-air-pump-aquarium.html Has anyone here tried it? Could someone recommend a suitable and quiet air pump? Or maybe a large 120-140mm fan blowing air into a hose which then brings the air to the printed part? https://reprap.org/forum/read.php?1,735688,735688#msg-735688 Mon, 13 Jul 2026 02:49:51 -0400 Phorum 5.2.23 https://reprap.org/forum/read.php?1,735688,769854#msg-769854 Re: Cooling with an air pump? https://reprap.org/forum/read.php?1,735688,769854#msg-769854 simspeed General Tue, 23 May 2017 23:15:48 -0400 https://reprap.org/forum/read.php?1,735688,769256#msg-769256 Re: Cooling with an air pump? https://reprap.org/forum/read.php?1,735688,769256#msg-769256
Looking forward to the results of our work.
Lykle]]> Lykle General Sun, 21 May 2017 01:47:17 -0400 https://reprap.org/forum/read.php?1,735688,769213#msg-769213 Re: Cooling with an air pump? https://reprap.org/forum/read.php?1,735688,769213#msg-769213 simspeed General Sat, 20 May 2017 16:17:28 -0400 https://reprap.org/forum/read.php?1,735688,769152#msg-769152 Re: Cooling with an air pump? https://reprap.org/forum/read.php?1,735688,769152#msg-769152 Any idea when you will be able to print? Really looking forward to see the results of this.

Lykle]]> Lykle General Sat, 20 May 2017 09:35:01 -0400 https://reprap.org/forum/read.php?1,735688,768865#msg-768865 Re: Cooling with an air pump? https://reprap.org/forum/read.php?1,735688,768865#msg-768865 I just assembled the cyclops hot end mount I designed for the air pump system. It took about an hour to clear the Alumide power from all the openings but it seems to flow pretty good under pressure. Started putting the machine back together with new linear Delrin ball slides I designed for the XY & Z axis. They feel really smooth and run really quite. We'll soon see if this was worthwhile or not...]]> simspeed General Fri, 19 May 2017 04:53:00 -0400 https://reprap.org/forum/read.php?1,735688,767908#msg-767908 Re: Cooling with an air pump? https://reprap.org/forum/read.php?1,735688,767908#msg-767908 I converted to an air pump supply some 18months ago.The air exits in a fan shape just under the nozzle about 3mm away from the tip .I have printed lots of things since
with no problems.The only fan i use is for cooling the hotend also by removing the fans and ducting you save a lot of weight on the moving printhead.
Rod.]]> Rod General Sun, 14 May 2017 06:05:11 -0400 https://reprap.org/forum/read.php?1,735688,761728#msg-761728 Re: Cooling with an air pump? https://reprap.org/forum/read.php?1,735688,761728#msg-761728 NEED
Positive displacement pump

Piston / diaphram mechanism.

Got a small model airplane nitro engine
spin it with a small motor ---- pipe up to exhaust
Pistion pump

:S]]> cozmicray General Tue, 11 Apr 2017 13:51:08 -0400 https://reprap.org/forum/read.php?1,735688,761655#msg-761655 Re: Cooling with an air pump? https://reprap.org/forum/read.php?1,735688,761655#msg-761655
As far as aquarium pumps go, very few are noisy when they have some back pressure - as you would expect for something used in a domestic environment. If they become noisy this indicates that a air line has fallen off.

Mike]]> leadinglights General Tue, 11 Apr 2017 03:48:25 -0400 https://reprap.org/forum/read.php?1,735688,761650#msg-761650 Re: Cooling with an air pump? https://reprap.org/forum/read.php?1,735688,761650#msg-761650 This is why i redesigned my extruders to work with the small amount of air a small membrane pump can produce. You have to rethink your approach on cooling if you want to use pressure instead of volume.]]> Srek General Tue, 11 Apr 2017 03:38:03 -0400 https://reprap.org/forum/read.php?1,735688,761612#msg-761612 Re: Cooling with an air pump? https://reprap.org/forum/read.php?1,735688,761612#msg-761612
I have a 50mm centrifugal fan connected to some 3d printed locline duct currently, and the back pressure is still lacking. I may try whipping up a modular centrifugal fan combiner to play with if anyone can confirm I'm not just stupid lol.

I normally have the centrifugal fan at 100% PWM to compensate for poor pressure, but if this concept applies, multiple near-silent fans run at lower speeds in series should still give the required airflow.]]> Masterjuggler General Mon, 10 Apr 2017 22:32:58 -0400 https://reprap.org/forum/read.php?1,735688,758634#msg-758634 Re: Cooling with an air pump? https://reprap.org/forum/read.php?1,735688,758634#msg-758634
[attachment 92392 airring.jpg]

It uses a 4 mm alu tube that I simply bent into shape with my hands. Every now and then I had to squeeze the tube with some pliers when there was a little kink starting. Then I squashed the whole ring in a vice to lower the profile (3.15 mm) and simply drilled the 1.5 mm holes. It now fits under my V6 heatblock around the nozzle. It will also still fit with the sock installed, but then there is next to no free space between it and the part. About 0.5 mm and that is a bit too close for comfort.

I have printed with it and it does work. As long as I have my first layer right.

I think I will try and squash it a little more before I go do some real testing with it. Also, I still need to connect the air pump to the control board, I am now simply using a wall wart.]]> Lykle General Mon, 27 Mar 2017 02:07:08 -0400 https://reprap.org/forum/read.php?1,735688,758254#msg-758254 Re: Cooling with an air pump? https://reprap.org/forum/read.php?1,735688,758254#msg-758254
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Chri
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dc42
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leadinglights
Now that is a heater worth having. Somebody please make those and put them on the market - I will pay real money B)

Mike

It is on the market, but sadly it's not available in 24V, otherwise I would have bought one to try.

Activating PWM for the hotend will allow you to use 12V heater on higher voltages ;)

Chri

That has the potential to run the heater at 4x its usual power if anything goes wrong. Too dangerous for me.]]> dc42 General Fri, 24 Mar 2017 14:54:26 -0400 https://reprap.org/forum/read.php?1,735688,758189#msg-758189 Re: Cooling with an air pump? https://reprap.org/forum/read.php?1,735688,758189#msg-758189
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dc42
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leadinglights
Now that is a heater worth having. Somebody please make those and put them on the market - I will pay real money B)

Mike

It is on the market, but sadly it's not available in 24V, otherwise I would have bought one to try.

Activating PWM for the hotend will allow you to use 12V heater on higher voltages ;)

Chri]]> Chri General Fri, 24 Mar 2017 09:40:39 -0400 https://reprap.org/forum/read.php?1,735688,751755#msg-751755 Re: Cooling with an air pump? https://reprap.org/forum/read.php?1,735688,751755#msg-751755
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simspeed
The pumps don't appear to draw much amperage so they may work on the main power supply considering that my heat bed is mains powered. I guess I could run two SSR controllers and use the small power supply packs instead. I'm actually planning to run 3 pumps; one for the part cooling, one for the hot end heat break, and the last for the XY steppers that are mounted inside the heated enclosure.

I have mine running straight off the fan PWM output on my Duet, no issues to date.]]> briangilbert General Sun, 26 Feb 2017 15:07:04 -0500 https://reprap.org/forum/read.php?1,735688,751564#msg-751564 Re: Cooling with an air pump? https://reprap.org/forum/read.php?1,735688,751564#msg-751564
[woodworker.com]

:S]]> cozmicray General Sat, 25 Feb 2017 17:29:59 -0500 https://reprap.org/forum/read.php?1,735688,751041#msg-751041 Re: Cooling with an air pump? https://reprap.org/forum/read.php?1,735688,751041#msg-751041 simspeed General Thu, 23 Feb 2017 12:10:02 -0500 https://reprap.org/forum/read.php?1,735688,750926#msg-750926 Re: Cooling with an air pump? https://reprap.org/forum/read.php?1,735688,750926#msg-750926
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simspeed
What would be the best approach to connecting a pair of 12v air pumps to a 24v printer? Would it be better to use a 12v power supply like this? Thanks....

I'd suggest voltage regulators for each probably, not sure how well you'll go PWM'ing 2 12v pumps on a 24v supply tho if thats what you want.]]> briangilbert General Thu, 23 Feb 2017 04:09:11 -0500 https://reprap.org/forum/read.php?1,735688,750587#msg-750587 Re: Cooling with an air pump? https://reprap.org/forum/read.php?1,735688,750587#msg-750587 12v air pumps to a 24v printer? Would it be better to use a 12v power supply like this? Thanks....]]> simspeed General Tue, 21 Feb 2017 21:48:27 -0500 https://reprap.org/forum/read.php?1,735688,750577#msg-750577 Re: Cooling with an air pump? https://reprap.org/forum/read.php?1,735688,750577#msg-750577
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leadinglights
That is an amazingly small pipe but must be adequate from the bridges.

If I understand his posting, cozmicray is suggesting using a vacuum. I think that this may be an idea worth trying although the geometry of air flowing out of a nozzle is not the same as air going into a hole, Brian's results would seem to indicate that success needs not much more than a gentle breeze - not a whole house vacuum, sorry cozmicray.

Mike

It's the same diameter pipe used when you buy the berdair tube..

I do need to add socks to my chimera though as the air does end up coming out warm being so close to the heat block.

I think a vacuum would result in warm air as well, at least when heating the bed.]]> briangilbert General Tue, 21 Feb 2017 19:34:48 -0500 https://reprap.org/forum/read.php?1,735688,747897#msg-747897 Re: Cooling with an air pump? https://reprap.org/forum/read.php?1,735688,747897#msg-747897
Here is the one used in the photos.
[www.aliexpress.com]

Only difference is that you can order it 12V or 24V, the rest of the specs are the same as mine.

Lykle]]> Lykle General Mon, 13 Feb 2017 02:56:57 -0500 https://reprap.org/forum/read.php?1,735688,747894#msg-747894 Re: Cooling with an air pump? https://reprap.org/forum/read.php?1,735688,747894#msg-747894 [www.aliexpress.com]

I am checking to see what Brian used. Will get back to you.

Lykle]]> Lykle General Mon, 13 Feb 2017 02:48:43 -0500 https://reprap.org/forum/read.php?1,735688,747786#msg-747786 Re: Cooling with an air pump? https://reprap.org/forum/read.php?1,735688,747786#msg-747786 Teilchen General Sun, 12 Feb 2017 14:20:23 -0500 https://reprap.org/forum/read.php?1,735688,747723#msg-747723 Re: Cooling with an air pump? https://reprap.org/forum/read.php?1,735688,747723#msg-747723 The pump is pretty big, but still quite quiet. (Hard to write when you are dyslexic)
And he has it down to 25% PWM or so.

So yes, it does look as if you only need a little bit of air.

Lykle]]> Lykle General Sun, 12 Feb 2017 10:50:08 -0500 https://reprap.org/forum/read.php?1,735688,747655#msg-747655 Re: Cooling with an air pump? https://reprap.org/forum/read.php?1,735688,747655#msg-747655
If I understand his posting, cozmicray is suggesting using a vacuum. I think that this may be an idea worth trying although the geometry of air flowing out of a nozzle is not the same as air going into a hole, Brian's results would seem to indicate that success needs not much more than a gentle breeze - not a whole house vacuum, sorry cozmicray.

Mike]]> leadinglights General Sun, 12 Feb 2017 05:55:40 -0500 https://reprap.org/forum/read.php?1,735688,747612#msg-747612 Re: Cooling with an air pump? https://reprap.org/forum/read.php?1,735688,747612#msg-747612 Lykle General Sun, 12 Feb 2017 01:59:49 -0500 https://reprap.org/forum/read.php?1,735688,747488#msg-747488 Re: Cooling with an air pump? https://reprap.org/forum/read.php?1,735688,747488#msg-747488 All I have is a photo of the effector with the Nimbles and air hose going down into the effector.
I will get a pic from below.

Lykle]]> Lykle General Sat, 11 Feb 2017 13:02:53 -0500 https://reprap.org/forum/read.php?1,735688,747483#msg-747483 Re: Cooling with an air pump? https://reprap.org/forum/read.php?1,735688,747483#msg-747483 suck air by?
lots of suck air volume from vacuum?

long hose with noisy part in sound proof room

whole house Vac would be nice?

I wonder if vac could run for 8 hour print
perhaps water or cryo cooling?

:S;)]]> cozmicray General Sat, 11 Feb 2017 12:50:31 -0500 https://reprap.org/forum/read.php?1,735688,747413#msg-747413 Re: Cooling with an air pump? https://reprap.org/forum/read.php?1,735688,747413#msg-747413 JamesK General Sat, 11 Feb 2017 09:08:45 -0500 https://reprap.org/forum/read.php?1,735688,747405#msg-747405 Re: Cooling with an air pump? https://reprap.org/forum/read.php?1,735688,747405#msg-747405
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Lykle
As promised, photos are here:

Those are incredibly good bridges but I don't see the Berd Air ring in the picture.

Mike]]> leadinglights General Sat, 11 Feb 2017 08:23:57 -0500 https://reprap.org/forum/read.php?1,735688,746925#msg-746925 Re: Cooling with an air pump? https://reprap.org/forum/read.php?1,735688,746925#msg-746925
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leadinglights
Air from the aquarium pump is blown through a stainless steel tube which is heated with a propane torch and fed to the air ring.

Great test! I'm surprised but happy to be shown to be wrong :)

Quote

Unfortunately this experiment was curtailed when the burning wood started coming out of the air ring
...
As it is too cold in the workshop to do much more...

I think you nearly found the fix for a cold workshop!

Edit: it occurs to me that I have a Halloween fog machine in the basement, I wonder if the fluid from that could be used as a smoke source for the sort of test you described. If I can introduce drops from a syringe onto a hot surface I think that would probably do the job. The fluid is available quite cheaply, e.g.

[www.amazon.ca]]]> JamesK General Thu, 09 Feb 2017 10:31:13 -0500