Air Bellows origami structure
Description
Air bellows that folds along the inner edges origami style as it compresses so PP is the filament of choice. Update May 2020: Added a rounded bellows edge stl file. The Cetus tool chain has a firmware bug when printing a vase that rounds small Z changes to zero which caused me lots of grief. I finally converted the printer electronics to a Duet2 controller board and only kept the mechanical. Now I can print a round vase structure. The latest stl file slices better and I can print a much thinner bellows wall (about 0.3mm) using a thinner layer height. A thinner wall reduces the force required to flex the bellows edges (hinges) and compress the structure. Slice and print in Vase mode. I used prusa slicer to create the gcode for my cetus printer that has a 0.4mm nozzle. Slice with a 0.2mm layer, 0.6mm paving width, 8mm brim, and the default 3 layer center for the vase bottom is fine (the design is an open tube at both ends), this becomes the top bellows seal. This print is thin and weighs about 35 gr. I printed the PP at 255C to reduce sideways extrusion forces during layer printing. Layer adhesion is great using fan print cooling and no heated chamber. My glass build surface was 60 to 80C. If the brim lifts use some packing tape on the bed. Also, to speed up initial test prints I set the slicer bottom to zero layers and then stop the print after the first full fold to inspect all the folding edges for weak spots or holes. Adjust the slicer settings and test print again. When you think you have the correct slicer settings add back the 3 bottom layers in the slicer and go for it. 3D printer air pump conversion? The print takes about 3 kg or 5 lbs of force to compress and the full stroke has a volume of about 2 liters. 3D printers with Z axis threads should be capable of compressing this bellows if mounted on the build plate. My printer uses a Z axis belt so the force is limited to under 2 lbs and no joy for me. The 10 sided open end needs a custom thing with intake and exhaust reed valves. PP shrinks on cooling and my bellows measures 144 mm across the flats. For attaching your custom thing, I would think some packing tape or a cable tie or both. stay safe -Peter
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