PocketMist! - The 3D Printable mini Fog Machine by DjayLSD

Introducing the "PocketMist!" - a compact and easily 3D printable fog machine.

Key Features:

• Simple Construction: Requires only a few common components:
  • 30mm fan
  • 1 small haf to ¾ inche 2mm screw
  • ~1 inch of Nichrome wire
  • ~2-3 inches of PTFE tube
  • Heat shrink tubing
  • A handful of wires
  • 4 easily printable parts
  • 1 cheap dc-dc buck circuit
  • rest is up to you!
• Minimal Tools: 3D printer, drill, basic soldering tools
• Compact Design: Perfect for small spaces and portable projects
• Easy Assembly: Quick and straightforward build process
• Customizable: Adjust nozzle size (4-6mm) for desired fog output

Printing Notes:

• Tank: Print with 3 perimeters and 0% infill for optimal fluid flow. Drill a central hole to open the tank.
• Nozzle: Drill a 4-6mm hole for customized fog output.

Experience the magic of miniature fog effects with the Pocket Mist!

Here's a mini-guide to building your very own PockeMist!:

Building the "Pocket Mist" - 3D Printable Mini Fog Machine

Materials:

• 3D printed parts: Body, Bottom, Tank, Nozzle
• 30mm fan
• Nichrome wire (~1 inch)
• Fiberglass cloth (small piece)
• PTFE tube (~2-3 inches)
• Heat shrink tubing
• Wires
• Small screw
• Insulation (for screw)
• Soldering iron
• Distilled water+Glycerin or Mineral-oil fluid

Tools:

• 3D printer(duh)
• Drill
• Soldering iron
• Heat gun(optionnal)
• Small pliers
• Wire cutters(lifesavers)
• Screwdriver

Assembly:

3D Printing:

• Print the Base, Tank, and Nozzle parts.
• Print the Tank with 3 perimeters and 0% infill.
• Drill a central hole in the Tank to open the interior.
• Drill a 4-6mm hole in the Nozzle for desired fog output.

Coil Preparation:

• Cut a small piece of fiberglass cloth.
• Wrap the Nichrome wire around the fiberglass cloth to create a small, stable coil.
• Note: Coil size and resistance will vary depending on your desired fog output. Experiment with different configurations.

Core Assembly:

• Insert the screw into the designated hole in the Base.
• Wrap insulation around the screw for electrical isolation.
• Carefully wind the coil around the insulated screw.
• Use two bit or wire to fix the coil in place top and bottom.
• Crimp wires to both coil ends and heatshrink or insulte the wires.

Connect PTFE Tube:

• Insert the first end through the body top and mid-section holes and align with coil placement. Be careful to not destroy coil by placing it too far. Bending it with a bit of heat can help ALOT!.
• Insert the other end of the PTFE tube into the Tank bottom with a bit of heat and a drop of ca glue.

Body Assembly:

• Important: Use extreme caution during this step as it involves melting plastic!!
• Soldering Iron Plastic Welding:
  • Apply heat from the soldering iron tip to the mating surfaces of the Body and the Bottom.
  • Hold and press the parts together, allowing the plastic to melt and fuse.
  • Hold them in place until the plastic cools and solidifies!!!
  • Note: Practice on scrap plastic to get a feel for the technique before assembling the actual parts.
  • a vice and or a bit of patience will help alot here, the goal is achieving best possible seal for the base because oils and glue dont cope well over time.

Install Fan:

• Mount the 30mm fan securely to the Assembly using appropriate adhesives or screws.

Wire Connections For Testing:

• Connect the fan wires to a suitable power source. eg 12v for 12v , 5v or 5, ect
• Connect the coil wires to a power source (e.g., a low-voltage DC supply).
• Note: Use a bit of caution and trial here. Mine was 32AWG nichrome wire of about an inche long and love a voltage of 5.5-6.5v on the buck.
• DONT FORGET TO WET THE COIL WITH FOG FLUID BEFORE FEEDING IT POWER!!!

Final Assembly:

• Connect the Nozzle to the Tank.
• Secure all connections with heat shrink tubing, tape would become yukky with oils. and a tie-wraps or two.
• Optional, but make a small veroboard pcb like on the pictures. It is simply a switch for momentray out, a switch for constant on, fan is through a potentiometer direct to 12v in my case to enable adjusting the fan and it is always on so unit can cool down. button and switch are in parallel so wether of them feed the buck dc-dc module(1.52$ on Aliexpress) and the buck feed the coil.
• Use whatever works for you, those are not definitive values but give an good idea to help you build up your own.

Testing:

• Fill the Tank with Fog Fluid of your choice(this machine can do both glycerin/Pg/water or oil based fluid and is gravity fed). 
• Apply power to the fan at all time and give 4-5v to the coil.
• Observe the fog output.
• Adjust the coil voltage as needed to achieve optimal fog production.

Safety Precautions:

• Use caution when handling hot surfaces.
• Wear appropriate safety gear, such as safety glasses and gloves.
• Use heat resistant or tolerant plasitc, test were done with PLA+ and work ok but wouldnt for extended periods IMO.
• Avoid overheating the coil.
• Keep the fog machine away from flammable materials.

Enjoy your “PocketMist!” ^^