MasterSpool

thingiverse

This is a MasterSpool designed for 3D Printing filament. Blog post about MasterSpool over here: https://richrap.blogspot.com/2018/01/masterspool-proposed-standard-for-3d.html. MasterSpool Version 4 upgrades and changes improve the design. Here are the key improvements: - May 5, 2018 - Added a Proto-Pasta 500g spool adaptor for MasterSpool V4. Improvements from user feedback make it easier to use. Now, there are three positions for 1.75mm filament and a nice end slot for 2.85mm filament that's easy to load and has just enough friction to hold the end well. A really easy-to-use tie-wrap system is included - for 2.4mm to 6mm+ tie wraps, zip-ties, reusable tie-wraps, and 'velcro' straps. The model files are designed for both small and big nozzles. Ideal for chunky layers (0.25 or 0.3mm layers). It's a quicker print time for both sides A and B. Edges are now 5.6mm wide and flat/smooth, not rounded. They roll really well on bearing type filament spool mounts. A lighter, stronger locking system is included - you may need to give it a good first twist to align up the holes. After that, it should always be a nice tight fit. I've also added a PDF document of the key dimensions of the spool and refill coils. This was the most asked question from people who hadn't yet downloaded the model file. Hopefully V4 is the 'final' version - you can always make any desired changes for your own requirements yourself. FreeCad files of the spools are also included in the download files. Older information below - ignore unless you're interested: Update February 6th, 2018 - Version 3 has been uploaded. Do let me know if you have any problems or have feedback about the design. Version 2.1 has been tested with a coil of filament from Das Filament and printed this version 3 for further testing and quality of life improvements. V3 has a slightly smaller diameter, 198mm, so it can be printed on many more 3D printers. Used less material to print. Has integrated zip-tie/tie-wrap grooves all around the spool. You need to slightly twist the parts to align up the zip-tie sections - that's intentional to allow easy unload and some resistance on the coil when in use. End of filament management is included - a side for 1.75mm and a loop for both 1.75 and 2.85mm. See new video about V3 and first test of real filament coil here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AqnFiI3thjQ&feature=youtu.be Older updates below - use V3 above ideally: Updated January 28th, 2018 - The original STL files for MasterSpool had a few problems for some people. The final export was a little messed up, sorry about that. V2R1 is also uploaded - it adds slots for three tie-wraps around the main PART A cylinder - ref: @FishyFilaments. I've now simplified the design and added the new V2 files up on YouMagine and Thingiverse. Quite a few people asked about the critical dimensions for MasterSpool (750g version) - so here they are: Outer spool diameter is 202mm. The inner ring diameter for the filament coil is 102mm. The mounting hole size is 52.5mm. For the 750g Spool, the width of the filament coil is 46.7mm. For a 1Kg or 500g filament coil, the width (46.7mm) is the dimension you would change to make a different, but compatible MasterSpool for other weights - that will not stay true for very heavy filaments like copper, bronze etc. This is a proposed idea for filament manufacturers to supply just filament on simple coils - held with paper/card and zip-ties - then users load onto the 'MasterSpool' for use in 3D printers. Lower shipping costs, less packaging. No plastic spools to recycle (they are usually ~300g). More details and an overview video on my Blog post here: