Exhaust Filter with HEPA and Activated Charcoal

thingiverse

Printing ABS is stinky and the fumes are toxic. To address this I built an [enclosure](https://www.thingiverse.com/thing:2643727) and I installed a HEPA and activated charcoal filter. The filter I chose was originally made for a vacuum cleaner and is available [from Amazon](https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00Y32S8HS/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o01_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1) for about $14 USD. The fan is a [120mm Thermaltake Riing 12 Series High Static Pressure](https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00VRKVG9Q/ref=oh_aui_search_detailpage?ie=UTF8&psc=1) also available [from Amazon](https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00VRKVG9Q/ref=oh_aui_search_detailpage?ie=UTF8&psc=1) for about $13 USD. Above the fan and out of sight I have another printed part that holds more activated carbon filter media. I bought and cut sheets and have them stacked 6 deep in the part named "Top_Exhaust_Filter_Mount." The filter media is available [from Amazon](https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B000U204W2/ref=oh_aui_search_detailpage?ie=UTF8&psc=1) for about $8 USD. This gives me 7 layers of activated carbon and a HEPA filter all for about $35 USD. Now I don't smell ABS fumes at all when I print. Installation did require me to drill a very large hole in the top of my printer. I used a 6 inch hole saw and drilled from both sides so the melamine was cut cleanly. I have the printer programmed to run the fan at 50% speed while the hotend is heating. I ran it faster at first but the heated bed was having trouble maintaining temp due to excessive air flow. Now I try to run the fan at the slowest speed possible while still capturing all of the fumes. I originally thought that the light ring on the fan would be ugly but it allows me to not only see if the fan is running but I can tell how fast by how bright it is shinning.