Easy Spin Spool Roller Rod

thingiverse

This is a modified spool rod with bearings, designed to reduce the strain on the extruder when feeding filament. I observed that the original filament was always taut due to the static nature of the basic spool rod. To resolve this issue, I incorporated two bearings into the design, allowing the filament spool to rotate smoothly as it feeds. The result is a noticeable reduction in resistance, enabling the extruder to operate more efficiently. The filament now feels loose and free-flowing during feeding, just as intended. I've included my SolidWorks drawings for anyone who wishes to adapt this design to their specific hardware needs. When assembling the bearings, I recommend using nylon friction nuts to prevent over-tightening, which would counteract the benefits of the rotating spool rod and create additional resistance.