Fume Extraction
The BOFA fume extractor is a standalone air filtration unit designed to remove fumes and particles from the Vision Miner 22IDEX print chamber during and after printing. This unit is intended for older printer versions (V3 and earlier) that did not have a built-in HEPA filter. The Vision Miner 22IDEX V4 already has a built-in HEPA filter, so the BOFA unit is not needed for V4.
This article covers setup, connection, usage modes, and troubleshooting for users who already have a BOFA unit.
Before you begin - safety and risk
Read the Safety - Before You Begin article to understand the hazards involved in working on the Vision Miner 22IDEX V4 - including electrical, thermal, mechanical, and chemical risks. All procedures in this wiki are provided as recommendations only. By choosing to follow any procedure, you do so at your own risk.
Vision Miner no longer sells BOFA units
Vision Miner no longer sells or distributes BOFA units. If you need replacement filters or a new unit, contact BOFA directly.
Hot air recirculation
The fume extractor recirculates hot air from the chamber. The hoses and exhaust may become warm during operation with a heated chamber. Avoid touching the hose ends directly after extended use. Running the fume extractor continuously reduces the maximum achievable chamber temperature. If you need the highest possible chamber temperature for materials like PEEK or PEKK, turn the unit off during the print and only use it to vent fumes when the print is finished.
Unit Overview
The BOFA fume extractor is a standalone 110V unit with a standard power plug. No additional wiring or integration with the printer electronics is required.
The unit includes three filter stages:
- Pre-filter – captures large particles and debris.
- HEPA filter – captures fine particulates.
- Carbon filter – absorbs chemical fumes and odors.
The unit ships with two hoses that connect to the fume extraction ports on the rear of the printer.
Connecting the Fume Extractor
- Locate the two fume extraction ports on the back of the printer.
- Connect one hose from the BOFA unit's outlet to one port on the printer.
- Connect the second hose from the BOFA unit's inlet to the other port on the printer.
- Plug the BOFA unit into a standard 110V power outlet.
The system is self-contained. Air flows from the printer chamber, through the BOFA filters, and back into the printer chamber. No external venting is required.
How Air Circulation Works
The air path is a closed loop:
Print chamber → BOFA unit (pre-filter → HEPA filter → carbon filter) → back into print chamber
Because the air passes through the BOFA unit and back, it acts as a mild heatsink – the unit cools the air slightly before returning it. With the fume extractor running continuously, the chamber typically reaches around 75°C instead of the usual maximum. This is generally not an issue unless you are printing materials that require the highest possible chamber temperatures.
Usage Modes
How and when to use the fume extractor is entirely up to you. Here are the most common approaches:
Continuous operation:
Run the BOFA unit throughout the entire print. This keeps the air inside the chamber filtered at all times. The trade-off is a slightly lower maximum chamber temperature (approximately 75°C).
End-of-print venting:
Keep the BOFA unit plugged in but turn it on only for 1–2 minutes at the end of a print. This clears fumes from the chamber before you open the doors, reducing direct exposure to residual fumes.
External exhaust (uncommon):
If the heated chamber is not being used, disconnect the return hose from the printer and route it out of a window or door. This pulls fresh outside air in through gaps in the enclosure frame instead of recirculating it. This setup is uncommon and only practical when chamber heating is not in use.
No fume extraction:
Many users do not use the fume extractor at all. This is the most common configuration. The printer operates normally without it.
LED Indicators
The BOFA unit has an LED indicator on the front panel:
| LED Color | Meaning |
|---|---|
| Green | Normal operation – filters are functioning correctly |
| Red | Filter replacement required – the filters are saturated or airflow is restricted |
When the LED turns red, the unit's internal filters need to be replaced. Continued use with a red LED will reduce filtration effectiveness.
Filter replacement
For detailed filter replacement instructions and parts ordering, refer to the official BOFA documentation included with your unit, or visit the BOFA product support page.
FAQ
Troubleshooting
Support
If you could not find an answer here, reach out to our support team.