DIY Alternative for the Advanced Filtration for Prusa CORE One?  

RE:

Also I am also pondering about making it closed-circulation type, as the majority of the toxic materials require higher enclosure temperatures, so that would solve two issues:

• Filtering the air inside the chamber without letting it outside
• Maintaining the inside temperature

RE: DIY Alternative for the Advanced Filtration for Prusa CORE One?

As long as you closely match the voltage and current specifications of the fan/blower that Prusa is using you shouldn't have any issues breaking your CORE One.

RE: DIY Alternative for the Advanced Filtration for Prusa CORE One?

What is the fan connector pinout?

RE: DIY Alternative for the Advanced Filtration for Prusa CORE One?

I have also seen some complaints about the original placement of the fan increasing the chamber temperature with PLA and other filaments that require room temperature. So placing it somewhere inside the chamber to make it circulating the air instead of staying in the way of the regular cooling fans.

RE: DIY Alternative for the Advanced Filtration for Prusa CORE One?

Posted by: @jonniezg

I have also seen some complaints about the original placement of the fan increasing the chamber temperature with PLA and other filaments that require room temperature. So placing it somewhere inside the chamber to make it circulating the air instead of staying in the way of the regular cooling fans.

Agree -- having the HEPA filter in the airflow to the outside reduces the chamber cooling efficiency for PLA and PETG. Some users have reported that the effect is not huge, but it will also depend on your room temperature whether it is critical.

Where in the chamber would you place a recirculating fan and filter? Replacing the left side panel by a flat plate and mounting the filter unit against it from the inside is probably the way to go?

This would imply that PLA and PETG emissions are still blown into the room unfiltered. I don't mind (am printing them without a filter entirely so far), but some people are sensitive to these fumes/particles as well. Maybe that's a reason why Prusa has opted for the filter at the exhaust?

RE: DIY Alternative for the Advanced Filtration for Prusa CORE One?

I would rather not change the side plates because I really like the side storage, and it would infer with the rigidity of the casing. Perhaps rising and modifying the top plate? I am still actively considering the options.

RE: DIY Alternative for the Advanced Filtration for Prusa CORE One?

Posted by: @jonniezg

I would rather not change the side plates because I really like the side storage, and it would infer with the rigidity of the casing. Perhaps rising and modifying the top plate? I am still actively considering the options.

I would be nervous about creating strong airflow in the top area where the printing happens. Even with the existing top vent I have seen reports of problematic bed adhesion in the front for PLA or PETG, which users assumed to be due to the chamber cooling airflow. Also, with the INDX upgrade path in mind, the top cover might not be the best place to do this.

Somewhere I have seen a recirculating solution which used the existing fan openings in the back (one in, one out). But I don't think that solution had a "pass-through" mode for unrestricted PLA and PETG chamber cooling.

RE: DIY Alternative for the Advanced Filtration for Prusa CORE One?

Posted by: @jonniezg

What is the fan connector pinout?

Looking at the schematic for the extension board (you can find the schematics for the boards here), the fan is driven by 24VDC, and the pinout is:

1. GND
2. Switched +24VDC
3. Tacheometer feedback
4. PWM Drive

According to the schematic the connector on the board is a 4-pin Molex Clickmate 5025850470, so the fan cable should have the mating connector. (See the Molex datasheet for the mating part numbers.)

RE: DIY Alternative for the Advanced Filtration for Prusa CORE One?

Posted by: @jurgen-7

I would be nervous about creating strong airflow in the top area where the printing happens. Even with the existing top vent I have seen reports of problematic bed adhesion in the front for PLA or PETG, which users assumed to be due to the chamber cooling airflow.

This has happened to me.  Printer room was 20° or so and the default profile sets minimum chamber temp at 0°.  The only change I made to get that part printed, was upping the minimum chamber temp to 30° (forcing the exhaust fans to remain still).

That said, if you routed the rear exhaust (through a filter) then back into the top, at least in theory it would be "warm" air, so may have less of an effect on PLA/PETG detaching?

What about the other extreme, modify the bottom panel (and surface the printer is on)?

RE: DIY Alternative for the Advanced Filtration for Prusa CORE One?

If you recirculate the air, you could also put in a small heater and/or cooler to actively maintain the air temperature to a desired temperature.

That said, if you routed the rear exhaust (through a filter) then back into the top, at least in theory it would be "warm" air

RE: DIY Alternative for the Advanced Filtration for Prusa CORE One?

Hi, here is a cheaper option of blower and hepa filter: https://www.aliexpress.com/item/1005009146685559.html?spm=a2g0o.productlist.main.12.3fb3ccb91zkhZo&algo_pvid=474ab6b6-1d8f-4ab8-b36b-8ebe8aa11b05&algo_exp_id=474ab6b6-1d8f-4ab8-b36b-8ebe8aa11b05-11&pdp_ext_f=%7B%22order%22%3A%2253%22%2C%22eval%22%3A%221%22%2C%22fromPage%22%3A%22search%22%7D&pdp_npi=6%40dis%21USD%2144.65%2136.65%21%21%2144.65%2136.65%21%40211b617b17669173222084715e657e%2112000048103157805%21sea%21CZ%210%21ABX%211%210%21n_tag%3A-29910%3Bd%3A9e199b5d%3Bm03_new_user%3A-29895%3BpisId%3A5000000187455135&curPageLogUid=ZoGhf6o9izsv&utparam-url=scene%3Asearch%7Cquery_from%3A%7Cx_object_id%3A1005009146685559%7C_p_origin_prod%3A

For easier filter replacement you can print this: https://www.printables.com/model/1530247-core-one-pokrocila-filtrace-core-one-advanced-filt

RE: DIY Alternative for the Advanced Filtration for Prusa CORE One?

Posted by: @pako

Hi, here is a cheaper option of blower and hepa filter:

...

For easier filter replacement you can print this: https://www.printables.com/model/1530247-core-one-pokrocila-filtrace-core-one-advanced-filt

Thanks, that's really great! If the alternative blower performs the same as the original one, I'm in!

Also I love your design for flipping the fan. I'll probably be using it when printing anything except ASA and ABS, even though I think having a possibility to slide it to a side would be better option for that purpose. That way the HEPA filter would not be exposed to the dust when not in use.

RE: DIY Alternative for the Advanced Filtration for Prusa CORE One?

I don't know anything about that aliexpress filter, but please do be cautious if there are health-implications.  I saw a comprehensive testing of OEM and knock-off Chinese HEPA filters, and the results were alarming.  Without exception, every one of the knock-0ff filters passed basically all particles larger than .15 micron.  An actual HEPA-conforming filter is suppose to block 99.97% of particles > 0.3 microns.  However there are no international certification requirements to call something "HEPA", it's just a term like "great!" - anyone can use it w/o consequence, so it's almost meaningless.  So if you can, it's probably worth buying the genuine article even if you get the cheaper knock-off blower from aliexpress.

RE: DIY Alternative for the Advanced Filtration for Prusa CORE One?

Posted by: @r4z0r7o3

I don't know anything about that aliexpress filter, but please do be cautious if there are health-implications.  I saw a comprehensive testing of OEM and knock-off Chinese HEPA filters, and the results were alarming.  Without exception, every one of the knock-0ff filters passed basically all particles larger than .15 micron.  An actual HEPA-conforming filter is suppose to block 99.97% of particles > 0.3 microns.  However there are no international certification requirements to call something "HEPA", it's just a term like "great!" - anyone can use it w/o consequence, so it's almost meaningless.  So if you can, it's probably worth buying the genuine article even if you get the cheaper knock-off blower from aliexpress.

As an added benefit, you will probably get much better airflow with the cheap fan & filter! 🙄