QX30mm EDF replacement fans (MORE POWER!) and shaft centering tool

We have been working on maximising the performance of our micro edf of choice for our 30mm edf models.

Since the stock fans can sometimes have mild to severe vibrations, we felt it was necessary to have the option to replace the fans. We also hoped that it would mean we could try and improve on the stock 200-ish grams of thrust that is produced from these little power-houses.

We are happy to report that not only were we able to succesfully test FDM 3d printed fans for these little EDFs, but also that they outperform the stock fans!

Here are the results on 3s 2200mah all tests were done on a freshly charged lipo:

stock fan (70mm pitch / 6 blade) = 245g @ 8.1amps

70mm pitch / 4 blades = 238g / 8.1amps <<< highest flight speed/RPM
70mm pitch / 5 blades = 265g / 9.3amps <<< best performance
70mm pitch / 6 blades = 247g / 8.9amps
70mm pitch / 7 blades = 237g / 9.7amps <<< sounds amazing!

Also included is a shaft centering tool, should the stock shaft not be running perfectly true.

1- It consists of a ring with a shallow groove cut into the face which slides over the inlet of the edf.

2- A plate is then fitted to the shaft which also has a small notch. This notch is aligned to the grip points for a set of pliers. The plate is slightly undersized to the groove in the ring. This allows any the user to see where the shaft is out of center.

3- Rotate the motor to determine the point where the out of center peak is. Then hold the motor and rotate the plate on the shaft until the notch on the plate is at the peak of the "out of center" point.

4- With a set of pliers, gently apply a small amount of force to bend the shaft back to center.. repeat step 3 as required..

5- when your happy its back to center, remove the ring and plate, fit the impeller and test the unit.

The shaft was able to be centered well enough for almost no vibration after about three goes at steps 3 and 4. The whole process took about 5min from mounting the gear to testing the finished unit.

Please take a look at the notepad txt "readme" files in the folders of the .zip folder for the print settings.

EXTRUSION MULTIPLIER: 0.9 OR 90%
RETRACTION DISTANCE: 6mm
EXTRA RESTART DISTANCE: 0mm
COASTING DISTANCE: 0mm
WIPE DISTANCE: 0mm
LAYER HEIGHT: 0.15mm
SOLID TOP LAYERS: 2
SOLID BOTTOM LAYERS: 2
OUTLINE/PERMITER SHELLS:2
OUTLINE DIRECTION: OUTSIDE TO INSIDE
INFILL PERCENTAGE: 20%
SKIRT/BRIM: YES - 1 LAYER AND 1 OUTLINE (4mm OFFSET)
INFILL PATTERN: GRID
SUPPORT MATERIAL: YES - 40%, 2mm PILLAR RESOLUTION
PRINT HEAD TEMPERATURE: 215 DEG C
PRINT BED TEMPERATURE: 45 DEG C
COOLING: 100%
PRINT SPEED: 65mm/sec
OUTLINE UNDERSPEED: 50%