Christopher Finke writes about software, woodworking, and other creative endeavors.

Today’s Functional Print: Filter Cage for the Blueair Blue Pure 311 Auto Air Purifier

The Blueair Blue Pure 311 Auto air purifier requires a plastic cage to support the filter. Theoretically, if you accidentally throw away the plastic cage when you change the filter, you will be unable to use the air purifier. Theoretically, if you have a friend with a 3D printer, you could ask them to design and print a new cage for you. Theoretically, this actually happened, and I was the friend.

I designed the cage to closely mimic the original, although I used circular holes instead of hexagonal to eliminate the need for most support material.

I tried printing just a short end-cap for each end of the filter to save time and plastic, but it turned out that it really did need the full structure to stop it from collapsing once the purifier is running.

It prints in two parts, but they don’t need to be glued together; the friction against the filter is enough to hold them in place.

The OpenSCAD and STL files are available on GitHub.

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5 responses to “Today’s Functional Print: Filter Cage for the Blueair Blue Pure 311 Auto Air Purifier”

  1. Vanessa Avatar
    Vanessa

    Thank you so much for sharing this. I thought I was the only one on the planet who mistakenly threw away the plastic cage with the used filter! I had it 3D printed and it turned out perfectly – works like a charm and spared me from trashing the whole air purifier that was practically new. Many thanks.

    Reply
    1. Christopher Finke Avatar
      Christopher Finke

      I’m so happy to hear that someone else found it useful!

      Reply
  2. Maria Ibarra Avatar
    Maria Ibarra

    Is there a way to buy it from you? I’m older, I’m unsure where I could have it printed

    Reply
    1. Christopher Finke Avatar
      Christopher Finke

      Shipping would probably make it cost-prohibitive, so my recommendation is to find someone locally who can print it for you. You can tell them that the files are available at https://github.com/cfinke/Blue-Air-311-Auto-Filter-Cage or they can contact me directly at cfinke@gmail.com.

      Reply
  3. CADProps Avatar
    CADProps

    A useful detail for anyone arranging a local print: ask for one Bottom STL and one Top STL from Chris’s repository, rather than two copies of the same half. The bottom includes the closed base; the top has the open locking ring and locating pegs. If the printer regenerates the files from OpenSCAD, the source initially calls both modules, while its comments specify exporting filter_cage_bottom() and filter_cage_top() separately. I help build CADProps; our STL viewer is an option for opening each exported file and checking which half it contains before requesting a quote. Viewing and approximate mesh measurements need no account; files are processed on the server. Confirm the purifier model is the 311 Auto before ordering.

    Reply

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