Fume Extractor

26 total hours spent on the project

July 1st

I plan on this being a decorative project with a high level of functionality, modularity, and somethign easily packable. While looking around on the market, I've found little to no high quality fume extractors at an affordable price.

The decorative plan is to buy acrylic paints and cut outlines into paper as a stencil.

3 hours: research & model layout

July 2nd

I'm planning to embed the 5v fan controller inside of the active carbon filter granule container. It needs to be at the end of the stage 2 filter to avoid clogging. I had to research how to do screw-in containers in onshape, so that's a new thing I've learned! This model is split into two parts, and I'll need to research more on the fan mounts to properly embed holes.

2 hours: modeling

July 3rd

I spent a lot of time making planes and certain hard to get points and pieces to create all of the geometry. One of the difficulties was merging together all of the screw holes, and I had to refactor it later when I had messed up and created multiple parts for something that should only be one.

The overall outline shape is complete now. My plan is to have the top three cylinders as the active carbon backup containers when the volatile element sensor indicates required replacement. I've been brainstorming a spring mechanism for securing the vacuum hose to the extractor, and that's where I'll be heading next.

6 hours: modeling

July 4th

Today I finished the 3d model. I'll be focusing on electronics going forward. The best approach I theorized for securing the vacuum hose was using springs for a friction fit that can be push released. You can see it in the image below.

3 hours modeling

July 17th

The fan has wires for PWM and power. I've created holes within the cylinders for the wires to go out of, as well as screw holes to secure the fans.

1 hour: modeling

July 18th

Mostly spent on further material sourcing, the perfect filter showed itself to me. Exactly 25mm in diameter, this HEPA particulate filter is machine washable and the exact size needed. I have also found SSD1306 compatible OLED displays on digikey using the I2C interface, allowing for me to easily monitor the volatile organic compounds exiting and entering using the VOC sensor -SGP40-.

I've gone over the maximum budget given for a 6 point project, therefore I'm going to be shelling out my own money for anything over the budget. I really want to see this project succeed!

3 hours sourcing materials

July 18th *Night

The HEPA filter needed a good spot to be placed, I decided I would tackle two problems at once. It's very difficult to print a cylinder in one piece, and the top part of the cylinder would be a challenge. So I split it up into another piece, while also adding bolts to secure the HEPA filters in that place. This is the ideal position, since I can print block-off sheets on the un-used filters if need be, to preserve the carbon granules, while on the active canisters, it's the first stage, making the carbon granules (which need to be replaced unlike the machine washable HEPA filters) last longer.

1 hour modeling

July 29th

I've just gotten a break day from my part time 37hr a week job, so I'm getting some motivation to push through to the final product. The hose clamp extrusion has been polished up, and I've removed unnecessary material for better airflow. I've also added a spot for the gooseneck arm to secure to, which in turn will give rigidity to the vacuum hose. It has two M2 screws and I'll use nuts on the other side.

3 hours modeling

July 29th Night*

The final touches were made and its off to submission land! I've added screw holes for the raspberry pi pico to mount to, as well as additional separation pieces to prevent the fan sucking carbon granules. The final addition is the hook which will secure the gooseneck arm. Unfortunately due to the nature of hoses and gooseneck arms I cannot put them in a program like cad unless I want it to look ridiculous. I've just put all of the parts together, and it's looking fantastic!

4 hours getting parts & modeling