Mini-Me V4 Lightweight Ender3 Hotend Duct (Stock Parts, 5015, No Soldering) 3D Printer Model

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License: CC BY-NC
File formats: STEP,STL
Download type: zip
Size:20.7MB

The file 'Mini-Me V4 Lightweight Ender3 Hotend Duct (Stock Parts, 5015, No Soldering) 3D Printer Model' is (STEP,STL) file type, size is 20.7MB.

Summary

Mini-Me Duct for Ender 3

This project will move to printables in the future, as I'm having problems with thingiverse's stability and spam.
https://www.printables.com/de/model/197957-mini-me-v4-lightweight-ender3-hotend-duct-stock-pa

This is a custom hotend duct, which uses the stock fans and improves part cooling.
There is also a version for a single 5015 blower fan available.
It should be compatible with any printer that uses this mk8 hotend style (CR20, CR10, ..)

I always wanted to improve my part cooling, but thought that the available options for ducts were clunky, take a long time to print or restrict precious airflow. They usually block the view to the nozzle, making it hard to verify a good first layer.

The MiniMe Duct is smaller and lighter than the stock metal housing and has optimized ductwork, which converges the cooling stream right under the tip of the nozzle. It uses only 12g of material, as the design is optimized for minimal support and post processing. You can print this part and start installation immediately, as no additional hardware is necessary. (a ziptie would be nice though)

Please use the silicone sock of your heater, as it will protect the duct from direct heat. I covered the right duct with two layers of aluminum foil, as this side of the hotend ist not covered and did deform previous versions. (see photos) The heater cartridge was also sliding out a bit and caused a high temperature spot, you may want to take a look yourself.

thingiverse user Aboshi has remixed a compatible BlTouch Mount here:
https://www.thingiverse.com/thing:4397420

Changelog:
v2: 2020/05/23

4010
changed the angle of the duct to hit below the nozzle, not the tip
changed focal position slightly to the back
5015
changed the angle of the duct to hit below the nozzle, not the tip
changed focal position slightly to the back
Added screwholes to clamp the fan in position

v3: 2020/05/28

4010 / 5015
some parts got thicker walls, due to warping by heat
add some aluminum foil or other insulation on the right duct.
small changes in geometry
some aesthetic changes

v4: 2020/06/15

4010 / 5015
change in geometry, to focus more precisely under the nozzle

MiniMe_Hotend_Duct_4010_v4.STEP 9.8MB
MiniMe_Hotend_Duct_4010_v4.STL 10.2MB
MiniMe_Hotend_Duct_5015_v4.STEP 19.0MB
MiniMe_Hotend_Duct_5015_v4.STL 15.3MB