Parametric soldering fume extractor

Motivation and Benefits

For the longest time, I simply placed an old 140 mm case fan next to me whenever I did some soldering. This just removed the fumes from my surrounding, but did not extract any toxic contents, which I want to realise now that I also teach my son how to solder.

My model was inspired by Tilan2000's fume extractor, however I created a parametric Fusion 360 model from scratch to change some things that I did not like about the original design.

This model does not need any heat inserts, but uses M3 screws and nuts. I also wanted an easy way to change the filters without the need to unscrew the parts from each other. Thus, I added a sliding lid to the filter holder part. 

This fume extractor is easy to print, easy to assemble and very powerful regarding the extraction of fumes. Maintenance is also straightforward as the lid allows easy access to the filter pads. The whole unit is properly closed, which allows flow of the air only through the designed air path and therefore through the filters.

Construction

Printed parts

I recommend printing the parts from PETG, but any filament should work, since the extractor should not get hot. If you plan on soldering outdoor, I recommend ASA.

The total print needs approximately 200 g of filament.

Slicing settings

Infill: 15 %

Supports: No supports are needed. If you want you can support the counterbores of the screw and the nut, but it won't be necessary in my opinion.

Brim: No brim

Perimeters: 2-4 perimeters depending on your desire for strength

Nozzle: 0.4 mm

Layer thickness: 0.2 mm

Mesh: The fan holder, filter holder and filter separator parts come with modifier parts in order to remove the top and bottom layers and just keep the infill. When you load the 3mf mesh files into the slicer (I use Orcaslicer, but Bambu Studio, Prusaslicer or Superslicer should work similarly) you get a note that a multi part object was detected. Press yes to load as single object with multiple parts. Afterwards you need to change the type of the modifier part by right-clicking on it in the objects view and selecting change type from the context menu.  Next, you select modifier from the drop-down and hit ok. The modifier settings are depicted on one screenshot, but to repeat it here: infill 5 to 15 % honeycomb, no bottom and top solid layers, infill overlap 0%, infill direction to your liking.

Additional hardware

• 1x 140 mm fan, or any other size as you can simply modify the parametric model
• 4x M4 x 35 mm screws
• 4x M4 washers
• 4x M4 nuts
• 1x PWM controller
• 2x active carbon filter pads 130 x 130 x 10 mm
• 1x Power plug 5.5 x 2.1 mm
• 1x 12 V DC power supply

Assembly

• Install the power terminal in the fan holder part.

• Connect the two wires from the fan to the corresponding terminal on the PWM controller.

• Connect the two wires from the power plug to the corresponding terminals on the PWM controller.

• Place the fan inside the fan holder part.
• Install the PWM controller and the power plug in the corresponding holes of the fan holder part. 

• Add the filter separator part on top of the fan holder part.

• Place two active carbon filters inside the filter holder part and place it on top.

• Screw all parts together using four M3 screws, washers and nuts.

• Slide the foot part on the stem of the assembly.

• The only thing left is close the lid and you're done!

Outlook

Personally, I don't need an air inlet funnel, but if there's a certain demand from you, I will add it in a later version. The same holds true for some type of air outlet connector. Just let me know what you think.

Update 02/03/2024

• replaced separate modifier parts by in-place modifiers together with the fan holder, filter holder and separator parts
• changed description of slicing settings for mesh according to new multi part objects