VisiFlow - fan duct and USB camera mount for Prusa MK3S

VisiFlow is a fan duct equipped with LEDs, specifically designed to enhance visibility of the filament flow during 3D printing. By attaching a camera, it also facilitates remote monitoring of the printing process.

I created this fan duct for the Prusa MK3S+ with a specific goal in mind: to enhance visibility of the printing nozzle and enable remote observation and control of filament extrusion. This design wasn't primarily focused on optimizing airflow (as my expertise lies elsewhere), but rather on facilitating close-up inspections. To achieve this, I needed a high-quality camera to capture high-resolution videos with smooth motion.

However, during the design process, some users expressed their interest in modifying the design based on their expertise in airflow dynamics. They also wanted to test these modifications on different print heads like the Revo. As a result, I ended up creating multiple versions of the fan duct to accommodate these varying preferences and requirements.

I would like to acknowledge and express my gratitude to those who contributed their time and ideas to help improve VisiFlow. Your feedback played a crucial role in shaping the final design, and I am grateful for your input: @asudi  @Matt Jones  @DeepOrange 

Step by step instructions in attached “VisiFlow Assembly Guide” pdf file.

Note: if you don't plan to use LEDs, print “fan plate - no LEDs”

Mounting USB camera 

A 2Mp ELP board camera provides good resolution and good frame rate speed. 

If you use Octoprint you may need to edit the octopi.txt file for high resolution or fast frame rate.

ELP camera from Aliexpress.

I tested various lenses and settled for f3.6mm

Use cable ties to hold the USB cable in place