Prusa Mini Detachable Cooling Duct Assembly

Update:25\05\21 Uploaded Step files for customisation.

Update:08\05\21 Uploaded a MK2 Blade Duct which now clears the Heated Bed Lid Cover and does not effect the Mesh Levelling. Uploaded revised CFD simulation images for the MK2 Blade Duct.

Update:07\05\21 There is an issue with the duct hitting the hot bed top cover causing issues with the mesh levelling. I will upload a revision soon.

This is a revised X Carriage Mount and fan duct for the Prusa Mini and clones. Apologies in advance if there is already something similar on Thingiverse that I have not noticed.

This thing IMHO improves the part cooling of the Hot End by providing focused symmetrical cooling to either side of the nozzle rather than the stock design pushing air to the rear of the nozzle and in some instances cooling the heater block rather than the part.

This will be beneficial for specific types of part where there may be internal walls (inside of a nut thread for example) which may not get the same level of cover from the stock parts singular rear configuration.

The design includes a removable Blade Duct assembly to allow for ease of changing and maintaining nozzles. The assembly is based on a M3 thermal insert and a M3 x 8mm hex bolt. All other fixing arrangements are as standard to the stock X Axis carriage.

In my tests\porotypes the parts fit very snuggly and there is no air bleed. If this is not the case after printing with these parts a small amount of Vaseline or similar on the connecting faces will probably cure this.

I have only tried this with my V6 based variation but cannot really see why this should not work for the stock setup. So untested with the stock heat sink and nozzle arrangement.

The parts do not need support if printed in the uploaded orientation. There are some some surfaces that push the boundaries of draft angles but these are inherent of the original prusa design parts and not of choosing or design.

The test print so far IMHO are much improved and both my water nozzle tests and the Sim Scale CFD simulations I have undertaken have the air flow right in the ball park just below the centre of the nozzle which is usually a good indictor to suggest good part cooling rather than cooling the nozzle or heater block.

Link to video of water nozzle test: https://youtu.be/2HjnEqbpr98

Link to M3 Thread Insert Used (Amazon UK Site): https://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B07LBR79VH/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_asin_title_o00_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1

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