About this 3D model

This is a cooling duct under development for the Makerbot Replicator 2X Dual-Head 3D Printer. (Check out the print quality before and after pics...purple before, black after) *** DO NOT USE WITHOUT A FAN *** DO NOT USE UNATTENDED, USE AT OWN RISK. DESIGN UPDATED, BUT STILL A WORK IN PROGRESS. (23OCT13) *** Added Rev3-higher flow version (25NOV13) *** The purpose is to produce a cooling blanket of air across the print head/part to help produce a better quality finish on parts that have features that do not have enough cooling cycle time to solidify enough by the time the print head lays more material. This can result in a poor finish on certain features of a print. This duct has been tested, and optimized for airflow so as to have a minimal negative impact on part adhesion to the plate, and maximize the flow to the extruded finish to provide a superior finish to parts. It works very well in our experience so far. This duct will fit on the carriage, with a 40mmx40mmx10mm fan, and clear all geometry on the printer(including the front acrylic door), and have approx. 1mm of clearance to the surface being printed. (a speed control for the fan may be an option to precisely control airflow) The ducting has been optimized to have enough flow to attain a good finish on the part, but not enough to affect most parts on the build platform. The Tube is meant to go between the heat sinks, and direct cooling air directly to the extruding chambers to keep filament from softening due to excessive heat on long prints. This thing is under development, and is NOT the final design. -We may incorporate a cooling tube that funnels some of the air directly to the extruder chamber for both heads.(REV2) This will help the filament from softening over time during long prints as heat above the tube increases over the duration of the print.