Improved M3D Micro Filament Spool Holder

thingiverse

This is an external filament path spool holder designed specifically for the M3D Micro printer. The internal filament path was extremely frustrating to work with, especially when changing the filament. This design draws heavily from ilikesanta's original version but I've made numerous significant changes: Tolerances on the frame clip have been tightened. The length of the arms has been increased slightly. The shaft has been completely redesigned and its attachment to the arms is much simpler. The mount can be secured using clamping hardware. In essence, I wanted the shaft to sit loosely in place due to gravity without needing to be locked into position. I also aimed for the arms to be secure yet not slide around along the printer's frame without having to make permanent modifications (drilling holes through) to the frame. Print Settings: Printer: M3D Micro Rafts: Doesn't Matter Supports: Yes Resolution: 0.15 mm Infill: 100% Notes: All parts were test printed with PLA on an M3D Micro using 4 outer walls. The parts are thin, so the infill setting doesn't make a significant difference. To assemble this spool holder, you'll need to print the following components: (1×) Beam: 0.35 mm layers, no supports (2×) Bushing: 0.35 mm layers, no supports (1×) Left Arm: 0.15 mm layers, self-supports (1×) Right Arm: 0.15 mm layers, self-supports (1×) Shaft: 0.35 mm layers, no supports In addition to the above components, print one of the bushings at its default scale (100%) and the other one scaled up by 2% in all dimensions. This is necessary because M3D filament spools have slightly different inner diameters on either side. Post-Printing: Remove the support material from the holes in the left and right arms. You may need to clean up the holes a little bit with a razor blade. The following hardware is required for assembly: (2×) M3 × 10 mm socket-cap screw (2×) M3 hex nut (1×) 2.5 mm allen wrench When inserting the nuts into their hex-shaped holes in the arms, they may either be slightly loose or slightly tight. If the fit is loose then you'll have to hold them in place while threading the screws into them. If the fit is tight then you can apply some pressure to force them into place. The handle of a screwdriver works well for this. Press down lightly on the top surface of each arm's mounting clip while tightening the screws. The goal is to have them sitting vertically (not at an angle) and flush with the top surface of the frame. You can tighten the screws reasonably hard since the mount is held in place via clamping force. Design Inspiration: Apart from the overall mount design, the spool bushing's design was inspired by previous versions created by Loswave (which broke right away when removing it from a spool), molecular, and menerso. The source SketchUp file is also available for download. 2017-02-25: Modified the bushing slightly so that it has an internal surface that runs parallel to the shaft for an additional 5 mm. This prevents the edge of the bushing from slipping into the groove in the shaft. Not a big deal, but it is an improvement. Also updated the SketchUp source file.