Vortex air cannon — 3D-printable model preview

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Kids & play Simple

Vortex air cannon

Fire invisible rings of air across a room to knock over paper cups

Tap the stretchy top of this box and a spinning doughnut of air shoots out of the round hole in the side, holds together across the room and knocks over a paper cup or blows out a candle three metres away. It is a vortex ring, the same thing as a smoke ring or a dolphin's bubble ring. Fill the box with mist from a humidifier or incense (with an adult) and you can see the rings wobble through the air.

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Size: 180 × 180 × 180 mm
Shape: Rectangular
Walls: 2.4 mm
Volume: 87.5 cm³
Est. weight (PLA): 109 g
Parts to print: 1
Category: Kids & play
Made by: Krypto
Built in: 21 steps

What’s in it

Rectangular, 180 × 180 × 180 mm, with 2.4 mm walls
1 hole in the walls
Raised text: “VORTEX”

How to print it

Stretch a cut balloon, shower cap or plastic bag drum-tight over the open top and tape it all round. Tap the middle sharply.

Prints as shown on its floor, no supports. Large holes in the walls may need supports or good bridging.

Filament: at most about 109 g of PLA printed solid (roughly $2.17 at $20 per kg); normal infill uses less.

To get the files, open it in the generator and choose File › Download STL (one file per part) or Download 3MF (every part on one plate).

Questions

What size is the vortex air cannon model?

The vortex air cannon model measures 180 × 180 × 180 mm (width × depth × height). You can change every size in the free SO3D.xyz generator before you download it.

Does it need supports?

It may need supports in places. Stretch a cut balloon, shower cap or plastic bag drum-tight over the open top and tape it all round. Tap the middle sharply. Prints as shown on its floor, no supports. Large holes in the walls may need supports or good bridging.

How much filament does it use?

At most about 109 g of PLA (87.5 cm³ printed solid), roughly $2.17 of filament at $20 per kg. Normal infill uses less.

Can I change it?

Yes. Open it in the SO3D.xyz generator (free, in your browser), change the size, walls, dividers, holes, text or anything else, then download it as STL or 3MF for your slicer.

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Make it fit your space

Change the size, walls, dividers, holes and labels of the vortex air cannon model in your browser, then download it for your printer. Free, no CAD needed.

Customize this model