Devices

Soldering Fume Extractor

Recycling a 12V server fan and a spare charger into a compact fume extractor for safer soldering at home.

Electronics Recycle Fusion Prusa MK3S
  • Status
    Working product
  • Goal
    Cleaner way of soldering
  • Print
    PETG, 3 parts put together
Front of the soldering fume extractor
Front side
Rear of the soldering fume extractor
Rear view

Build notes

The overall design consists of three separate parts. The yellow part is the base part that holds all of the electronics inside. Next we have the front red shield that has a hole for the LCD display of XY_PWM module, which is attached using screws. This front shield is attached via two small lock-in paws that are inside the base. The green top part is build to hold the 12V-fan in place. It is attached to the base using two small screw. The flux-absorbing-carbon-filter is attached using double-sided tape. The electronic design is in a Github repo and can be downloaded in the link down below.

What didn't go as planned

  • I made some false measurements for the front shield. The wholes that I designed for the PWM module were not placed correctly. I solved it using a heated needle and made the wholes by burning the plastic. Not ideal, but it was simple and I didn't want to waste filament.
  • The needle came in handy also for mounting the top part to the base. I made the whole for the screws too small. By heating the needle I enlarged the space needed for inserting the screws.
  • Over all the situation with screws was quite tragic. I managed to find only two fitting nuts ...so the fan is attached by only to nuts. Furthermore, I had to saw off half of the screws, as they were not ideally long.
  • What surprised me was how hot the Mosfet was getting. To solve this, I mounted a cooler on it (DO1A).

Link for KiCad schematics and 3d model