Valves are an essential component of many technical applications. They control the flow of liquids or gases and are used in machines, instruments or even musical instruments such as the saxophone. YouTuber Robert Murray-Smith has developed a concept for a 3D-printed valve that does not require external components such as O-rings or metal springs. The model is available to download for free on Thingiverse.
The design combines multiple materials to provide a reliable seal and resilient mechanics. The actual valve body is made of PLA, while a soft TPU layer serves as a flexible sealing surface. TPU and PLA do not always adhere optimally to each other, but with a precise layer design and a higher pressure temperature of the TPU material, a mechanical bond is created. As a result, the seal remains firmly attached to the valve surface.
The spring mechanism posed a further challenge. Metal springs cannot be produced directly with an FDM printer, as printed coil springs often break along the layer lines. Instead, he uses a special spring design. This springy structure is printed flat and enables elastic movement in both vertical and rotational directions. Thanks to the shape, the component remains stable and can be reliably inserted into the valve housing.
The fully assembled valve can be used both as a self-closing and as a normally open variant. Adaptations such as alternative outlet openings or reinforced sealing with additional TPU layers are also possible. This modularity makes the design suitable for various applications, for example as a mechanically actuated control valve or as part of a pneumatic system.
The 3D model is available to download free of charge from Thingiverse.
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