Extremely simple filament spool

thingiverse

Effortlessly simplify mass production of filament spools with this easy-to-make design suitable for coils up to 100 meters in length and any diameter. Available in two sizes, the 30mm version works well with ~50m coils while the 40mm size is ideal for up to 100m coils. Made from simple cardboard cutouts and small printed clips, printing takes just 15 minutes per spool (2x if including the optional hub), using less than 4 grams of plastic. Assembly is quick and painless, but does require cardboard. Updated versions for larger coils are available with enlarged clip and hub pieces to accommodate 100m filament coils. Slice clips with recommended settings of 6 shells, no infill or solid layers for smooth printing and correct flex. Optional central hub prints in 15 minutes with suggested slicing of 2 shells, no solid layers, and no infill to avoid floppy hubs. Cut two circular cardboard disks (diameter matching coil diameter+100mm) while the spools print, place filament coil on one disk and clip 4 equally-spaced clips just inside the coil. Insert optional hub part if used, then place second cardboard cutout on top and press down between clip teeth for secure assembly. Designer's extra tips include trying different clip designs and using a string to help with cutting cardboard shapes quickly when making multiple spools. The 3D design was created in the free Autodesk 123D CAD software, available at www.123dapp.com.