Cooling fan basics: axial and radial

"Quick" video about the basics of fan types, performance, and application with regard to parts cooling fans on 3D printers. Pardon the poor video of the face shots, I was in a rush and didn't bother to set up proper lighting or shoot in full HD.

Oh, and I have a ton of respect for some of the companies that I gave a bit of good-natured ribbing to... it's just for giggles, so don't read too much into it.

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[fortheregm]

Very informative and not just for 3d Printing, thank you

[tinchodias]

Many thanks, I really like this video! cheers from South America.

[michaelretzer]

Great presentation Alex! I went down the same rabbit hole a couple weeks ago, found many of the articles you found, and came to exactly the same conclusions. When there is back pressure, either through a constricting shroud or closely spaced heat sink fins, blowers blow! [Er, did that come out right?] Presently I'm investigating a compressor, (actually, a fish tank pump). This blows a lot of air through a long tube, and is very quiet. Still experimenting. [If the fish dies, I may go to water cooling; but I'd hesitate DIY'ing this.]

A small point, some turbulence actually helps cooling. Some heat sink designs use narrow square posts to add some turbulence. Do not want laminar flow.

In general, the information you provide is very useful, accurate, and relevant to real-world design choices. Good job!

[berfava]

instant thumbs up after hearing "crappy drawing time!"

[kubik]

Quality blowers for free can be found in broken laptops!
I'm using some pieces from old HP Elitebooks or Dell Latitudes ;)

[danielkrah]

cool i just bought many radial fans to test their noise. The fan used by creality was the most quiet.

[OmegaCreationsChannel]

such a good video, helped me a lot. thanks dude

[kennymac]

That was really interesting! Seriously.

[NemecJiri]

Fantastic analysis. I'd like to see something in this style to compare direct drive vs bowden extruder and which type of motors to use. I have tested titan aero with classic nema17 motor with bowden and it didn't work well, but now I have the same titan in direct driven titan aero extruder with small pancake motor and it works really well.

[Snypes]

How does an air pump such as a Berd Air for example fair in comparison to a radial fan.... it would have even more pressure than a blower but also less cfm.... Nevertheless with appropriate directioning of the air it could make up for the lack of CFM or??? What's your take @Alex Kenis??

[ameliabuns]

how do you u get such a bootiful layers tho. tell us your secrets. secrets to a bootiful print. What was that printed on?
I have designed my own tool changer printer based on the hypercube evolution and it's like nowhere near as good. kinda like the ultimaker and the layers aren't super even.

[cthulpiss]

Hi Alex, and thanks for another fascinating subject....

So....
1. data @4:07 shows almost no difference between blower and axial (UM2 vs. UM3) - I'd assume not-so-restrictive duck has something to do with it?
2. I plan to use my (still) future printer in near my workspace - any ideas for blowers that are NOT noisy? I'd love to use me some blowers, but the
3. I did modify Prusa i3 MK2 replacing original 40mm axial with 50mm slower spinning, less noisy axial heatsink fan, with the same cooling capability (measured), so going bigger is less noisy, in my experience (as is in PC cooling)
4. your blower, used in experiment, is 15% moar powerful then axial
5. will you share your hotend / exteruder or whatever design? ( @8:19 )

[GnuMovies]

18.26 Quick video i Love your Videos ;) kudos

[robroberts]

That looks like 123D Design, which was awesome at shelling shapes (perfect for ducts). Amiright?

[TheLogneo]

you show how to take a doll subject and make interesting...thanks

[kokodin]

i bought one blower fan at ebay and it didn't reallt blow that much, and after taking it apart i realised that it is spining the wrong direction
so don't buy blower fans that don't show specs