French student Loann Boudin is a passionate maker and creator. Recently, he wanted to tackle the mess on his desk, so he decided to build a mini vacuum cleaner instead of buying one. As someone who loves creating things, he wasn’t interested in just purchasing something that wasn’t unique or functional. Instead, he chose to design and 3D print his own compact vacuum cleaner.
Boudin often spends hours working with materials like plastic, wood, and various electronic components to build different parts for his projects. After finishing a project, his workspace tends to be quite cluttered and messy.
“I needed a small, efficient device to clean up the mess, so I decided to design my own,†he said. “This mini vacuum cleaner has been really useful. I now use it to clean my laptop keyboard, my desk, and all the tiny pieces I collect.â€
To get started, he gathered a few common components: a RE-140 DC motor typically found in toys, an old iPhone 5 USB cable, a 6×12 mm switch, some Lego bricks, a tea bag for the filter, and of course, a 3D printer.
The most crucial part of the vacuum cleaner, according to Boudin, was the turbine. He checked out the turbines from an old hand-held vacuum cleaner and eventually designed a turbine using SolidWorks software that met his expectations.
His micro USB-powered vacuum cleaner is surprisingly simple, consisting of only seven 3D-printed parts: a top cover, a motor bracket, two turbine parts, a turbine cover, a filter holder, and a dust canister.
Although he didn’t own a 3D printer himself, he found a local 3D printing service through 3D Hubs, located less than 1.4 miles from his home. However, he ended up using a Prusa I3 3D printer at an electronics club he was part of. He used Repetier and Slic3r to control the printer and successfully printed all the necessary parts for his mini vacuum cleaner.
Boudin’s project shows how creativity and resourcefulness can lead to practical solutions, even with limited tools. It's a great example of how makers can turn everyday items into something new and useful.
Foshan Gruwill Hardware Products Co., Ltd. , https://www.zsgruwill.com