Duplicator i3 Filament Stand

thingiverse

I designed a replacement stand for the Wanhao Duplicator i3 that allows the spool to rotate smoothly, preventing the extruder from jerking the spool. The stand mounts using the two existing screw locations and accommodates any size spool. This is my second attempt at creating a spool stand, as the first version had issues with the top of the inside supports hitting the filament when the spool was full. I've since revised the design to print in three parts: a base and two sliders. The base attaches to the stock location on top of the printer, while the two sliders slide onto the base. A spool rolls smoothly on four u-shaped bearings (guide wire bearings). The sliders feature a hole for an m4 screw to lock one slider into position on the base; locking down one slider is sufficient since the deep u-shape of the bearings will keep the other slider in place. One notable difference between the two sliders lies in the location of this hole. The U624ZZ4 bearings (4x13x7mm) used in this design can be sourced from several online retailers, including Amazon. I purchased mine from Amazon, which offers convenient shipping options. These bearings are secured in place using 4x20mm cap screws and nuts. Update: A new slider file has been added to the design, featuring a filament guide that fits between the two supports. The guide includes a threaded hole for a 3mm screw, intended to keep it in place; however, I've found a large binder clip to be a suitable substitute. This guide does not include a filament filter, which can be sourced separately. If you decide to print this stand, please share your experiences and post any photos of the finished product. Your feedback is greatly appreciated. Print Settings: Printer: Wanhao Duplicator i3 Rafts: No Supports: Yes Resolution: 0.3mm Infill: 40% Notes: This stand was printed in PLA with supports only, using a standard build platform configuration.