Simple Filament Vacuum Bag Sealing Disc (Puck)

Note that this puck, unlike most others here, is designed to be used on the OUTSIDE of the bag on the opposite side from the vacuum pump.

This is a simple 45mm disc with rounded edges to remove danger of damaging the filament vacuum bags. It's the result of more tests than I want to admit before I realized that a disc on the OUTSIDE of the bag worked better than one inside the bag. The only function of the disc is to get the vacuum pump sealed against the valve. The disc inside the bag is more difficult to position correctly, especially for discs that have holes in the middle or cutouts from the middle to the outside edge. Not only is a disc on the outside better for getting the vacuum pump sealed against the valve, a completely flat and smooth disc is best. An additional bonus is that you don't have to print a separate disc for every bag.

Using this disc is as simple as the disc itself.

• Ensure that the bag's zipper seal is sealed completely.
• Hold the puck against the bottom side of the bag opposite the valve to press against with the vacuum pump and verify that both sides of the bag are flat with no wrinkles.
• You should only exert enough pressure on the bag between the disc and the vacuum pump to get the pump to seal against the valve when it starts pumping.
• Once the vacuum pump starts removing air from the bag, you can lessen the pressure on the bag between the disc and vacuum pump even further, only holding enough gentle pressure to keep the bag from breaking the seal with the pump as the bag moves inward due to the air being removed from it.

There is no need for support or brim, and no reason to print in anything sturdier than PLA. The top surface is completely flat and should print plenty smooth enough to not damage filament vacuum bags even over many uses. If you really want the surface ultra smooth and turn on ironing, only do it for the topmost surface only. That should only be needed if you print on a textured build plate. If you print it on a smooth PEI plate or cool plate, you can just use the bottom surface against the vacuum bag and still not need to worry about ironing.

This disc is 45mm in diameter and should work with all the common vacuum pumps and all human finger sizes. If you would like a different size, feel free to add a comment asking for it here and I'll create one as a different print profile.