Parametric Polymaker PolyDryer Pneumatic Fitting Adapter

Motivation

I wanted to provide a continuous PTFE tube connection from my Polymaker PolyDryer Storage Box to my Prusa CORE One.

Solution

Design and print a custom adapter and nut to accept a pneumatic fitting for a PTFE tube that achieves the following objectives:

• Fully parametric providing customization of all dimensions including the PTFE tube diameters, pneumatic fitting depth, and tolerances. These are the most critical dimensions of the default design and models:
  • PTFE Tube OD – 4.0 mm
  • Tolerance – 0.1 mm
  • Pneumatic Fitting Thread Depth – 6.0 mm
• Compatible with a PC4-10 pneumatic fitting
• Supports not required
• Installable with common tools (e.g., Prusa universal wrench)

Design

Other pneumatic fitting designs for other use cases seem to struggle with determining the right threads for PC4-M10 threads. After some research, I discovered that the confusion is introduced because of the “M10” part of the designation which implies the thread dimensions are metric – they are not. The threads on a PC4-M10 pneumatic fitting are BSP 1/8” tapered pipe thread. More discussion here.

The fittings I used for testing and linked below allow for the PTFE tube to be passed all the way through the fitting. I did not want that, so I designed an optional stop for the tube in the adapter (see the cross section). The included models and .bgcode have both designs – stop and passthrough.

Customization

The Fusion file is included. You can customize the parameters (DESIGN | SOLID | MODIFY | Change Parameters) as necessary. When you open the Parameters dialog, first sort by name. The parameters designed for customization are favorited. The non-favorited parameters should work as well but may require more tinkering to repair broken downstream features. If you cannot get Fusion to work for you, please send me a message (see below) and I will post your requested model files at my earliest convenience.

The final feature in the Fusion timeline is for the passthrough – unsuppress it if you want the PTFE tube to be able to pass through the adapter.

Any PC4-10 pneumatic fitting should work with this design, but you should double-check the thread depth and adjust that parameter as necessary before printing.

Materials

• PC4-10 pneumatic fitting - I used these from Amazon.com
• PTFE tube – I used this tube from Amazon.com. Any 4mm OD PTFE should work though

Printing

See the attached .3mf for my settings and model orientation (no supports required). I printed with 0.15 mm layer height to get more detail in the threads, but this may not be necessary. I also printed with 100% perimeters for added strength.

I prototyped on a Prusa CORE One.

Questions

Please let me know if you have any questions (Messenger | Printables.com).

Shameless Plug

If this model helped you solve a problem, save some time, or in any way made your life a little easier then please consider clicking the Like button and posting your Makes! If it fell short after clicking on the title of the model, please let me know (Messenger | Printables.com). Either way, Thank you!