Solder Fume Extractor
Project · 2024
- Mechatronics / Electronics
- Onshape
- EasyEDA
Overview
A fume extractor I designed to filter fumes while soldering. It uses a custom PCB, an Arduino Nano, a PC fan, and an activated charcoal filter inside a 3D printed assembly, with a toggle switch, speed knob, and a screen showing fan speed.
Build a small, bench-top extractor that actually pulls solder smoke away from the work, with adjustable airflow and a filter that can be replaced without tools.
My Role & Responsibilities
My responsibilities included:
- Designed the full enclosure in Onshape with heat-set inserts joining printed parts.
- Made the filter and bottom electronics cover removable for service.
- Designed a custom PCB in EasyEDA for motor control and power distribution.
- Wrote Arduino Nano firmware for variable fan speed and the speed display.
Engineering Design & Build
12 V in, 5 V buck for logic
A single 12 V input feeds the PC fan directly, and a buck converter drops it to 5 V for the Arduino and display — one barrel jack instead of two supplies.
Heat-set inserts over printed threads
Printed threads strip after a few service cycles; brass inserts let the filter and electronics cover come off repeatedly without wear.
Custom PCB instead of protoboard
Consolidating the buck converter, motor control, and headers onto one board removed the wiring mess and let everything sit in the base cavity.
Build breakdown
- Mechanical: 3D printed enclosure with a removable charcoal filter and bottom cover housing the electronics.
- Electronics: EasyEDA PCB with 12 V input, buck converter, and Arduino Nano control.
- Result: Captured solder fumes reliably, with working speed control across the fan's range.
Technologies Used
- Onshape
- EasyEDA
- Arduino
- 3D Printing