Anet A6 Large Top Spool Holder

thingiverse

This is a large spool holder for the Anet A6, designed to accommodate 3kg filament spools that previously had no mounting solution on my printer. Upon realizing this limitation, I opted to create a top-mounted spool holder rather than a free-standing one, providing an unobstructed path to the extruder and conserving space. The Anet A6 frame's rigidity allows it to easily support the weight of the spool without flexing; its centre is aligned vertically with the acrylic frame. The spool holder was designed with thick webs, fillets, and optimal print orientation in mind to achieve maximum strength and stability while minimizing material usage. It also securely clips onto the printer's frame for a snug fit. The gap between the supports can be adjusted by sliding them inward or outward; the maximum span is 172mm, while the minimum depends on the printer's configuration (my LCD cover limits it to 138mm). The spool axle must match this span plus at least 16mm to rest on the holder. My A6 came with a 156mm axle, which suffices, but newer models may ship with shorter 130mm axles; in that case, you'll need to obtain or craft a longer one. For optimal stability, bolts should be used on both sides of the supports to keep the axle in position; however, I've created clips that clip onto the axle (designed for 8mm wide threaded rod but scalable up to 10mm axles) and hook around the supports for quick spool removal. This holder can accommodate spools with a radius of up to 160mm, as long as the axle is positioned near the centre using a spool adapter, like the one I've pictured (150mm in diameter). Given that this design requires substantial filament usage, I've included a test file to verify that the clip section fits your frame properly. To print this holder, you'll need to create one part and mirror it to achieve symmetry. No supports are required for printing these parts.