3D Printer Air Filter

Modular 3D Printer Air Scrubber—HEPA + Carbon Filter | Room or Enclosure Use

From Radical Idea to Rapid Prototype—Innovating at the Speed of Home Manufacturing.

Take control of your 3D printing environment with this high-performance modular air scrubber system designed specifically for makers, print farms, enclosed printers, tented setups, and small workshops. It also works for hydroponic setups.

This design supports a 10" x 11" cylindrical HEPA + carbon filter (LEVOIT Core 400S size) and pairs perfectly with a 4" inline ventilation fan like the Vivosun D4 (196 CFM).

It can be configured as:

• 🔥 Enclosed 3D printer exhaust system (CoreXY printers, UV printers, bedslingers enclosed in tents, etc.) …)
• 🌫️ VOC/toxin air scrubber
• 🏠 Small room air purifier
• 🌱 Tented hydroponics ventilation filter
• 🔬 Low-power laser cutter fume extractor

Designed To Work With:

• LEVOIT Core 400S Replacement Filter (10” x 11”)
• Toxin absorber/VOC carbon filters
• 4” inline ventilation fans (~196 CFM recommended)
• 4” ducting systems
• Compatible with any CoreXY printer exhaust adapters on Makerworld.
  • Here is my design for the Elegoo CC.

Two Configurations (Important!)

1️⃣ Pull from Enclosed Printer (Recommended for VOC Extraction)

Fan orientation:
Printer → 4” duct → Fan → Filter → Clean air exhaust

This pulls fumes directly from:

• CoreXY printers
• Enclosed Bambu setups
• Tented printers
• Multi-printer duct manifolds
• Hydroponics tents

2️⃣ Room Scrubber Mode

Flip the fan orientation:
Room air → Filter → Fan → Clean air exhaust upward

This works like commercial air scrubbers:

• Pre-filter catches dust/pet hair
• HEPA traps particulates
• Carbon absorbs VOCs and odors

For rooms:
General sizing rule = ~0.8–1 CFM per sq ft

196 CFM ≈ 100–200 sq ft room coverage
Larger rooms or longer duct runs? Consider upgrading to a 6” fan (future version coming).

Key Features

✅ Modular 3-part print (prints on 3 plates)
✅ Screw-together top & bottom for easy filter replacement
✅ 4” duct compatible
✅ Hook system (top + bottom) for hanging installation
✅ Floor, desk, or suspended mounting options
✅ Compatible with toxin absorber filter variants
✅ Upgrade path to 12” x 13” Core 600S filter (future upscale version)

Why This Design Is Better

Unlike DIY bucket filters or passive systems:

• Uses high-quality commercial HEPA + carbon filters you can order online
• Scalable airflow via inline fan
• Cleaner airflow path with funnel design
• Easy serviceability
• Modular and upgrade-friendly
• Home-manufacturable but performance-focused

Print Profile Recommendations

Material:

• PLA (recommended for standard use)
• PETG (recommended if pulling hot air or exposed to UV lights such as in a hydroponic tent)

If exhausting hotter air directly or using it in a hydroponic humid environment with UV lights, use PETG.

Print Settings:

• Layer Height: 0.28mm (fast) or 0.24mm (cleaner finish)
• Walls: 5 or more perimeters
• Infill: 50% or higher (gyroid, triangle, or cubic) to help with air tightness and strength.
• Top/Bottom Layers: 5+
• No supports required (main body)
• 4” connector:
  • Print slower for cleaner overhang
  • OR use light supports for best finish

Airtightness Recommendation (Very Important)

Because FDM printing can have micro gaps:

Seal the funnel/top section using:

• Clear UV-resistant spray (Krylon Clear Coat)
• Siraya Tech Aegis Clear
• Any clear polyurethane sealing spray

This ensures:
✔ Air flows ONLY through the filter
✔ No micro-leaks
✔ Maximum VOC filtration performance

Recommended Parts

4” Noise Reduction Clamp (AC Infinity Style):
https://www.amazon.com/AC-Infinity-Reduction-Stainless-Flexible/dp/B0B6JPT3BB

4” Inline Fan (Example Used):
Vivosun 4” – ~196 CFM

https://www.amazon.com/VIVOSUN-Inch-Inline-Ventilation-Blower/dp/B01M7S46YZ 

4” Ducting (Hot/Cold Rated Recommended):
AC Infinity 4-layer ventilation duct

If running hot air, avoid cheap ducting.

https://www.amazon.com/AC-Infinity-Heavy-Duty-Four-Layer-Ventilation/dp/B07WNK7N7F

Filter Options

Current Design:

• ~10” Diameter
• ~12” Height
• LEVOIT Core 400S size

example of the filter I use: https://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B0DWT1JZPT

What’s Included

• Top funnel with 4” connector
• Main cylindrical filter housing with hook mount
• Bottom base with hook mount
• Screw-together system enclosing the filter between the top and bottom sections

Installation Overview

1. Print 3 parts
2. Glue funnel to filter body
3. Insert cylindrical filter
4. Screw top and bottom together
5. Attach 4” fan via clamp or duct
6. Orient fan based on use case

Ideal For

• 3D printing ABS / ASA / Nylon
• Resin printing room air cleaning
• Laser cutting light materials
• Grow tent odor control
• Print farms
• Small workshops
• Apartment-safe ventilation setups

Future Roadmap

• 6” duct coupler version
• Core 600S oversized model
• Wall mount brackets
• Manifold adapter for multi-printer farms
• Quick-release latch version