Original Auto-Rewind Spool Holder

thingiverse

Update Dec 1, 2018: Alternative design available: [Parametric Auto-Rewind Spool Holder](https://www.thingiverse.com/thing:3252111) Filament load/unload issues? MMU2 taking up too much space? Not with this Auto-Rewind spool holder! It keeps filament on the spool during unloading, for up to two full revolutions. The secret is a spring element which applies some amount of rotational tension on the spool hub while unwinding. The weight of the spool plus friction of the surfaces defines the slipping point; nearly-empty spools will rewind less but that is no problem thanks to the high ridges of the (empty) spool. Hub_Standard is suitable for standard 750g spools, Hub_Wide is used for wider 1kg spools. Two bearings are needed, type 608ZZ with outer diameter 22 mm, inner diameter 8 mm and thickness 7 mm. These are the dimensions of the MMU bearings as supplied by Prusa. If you have different bearings or spools with a different centre diameter, you can customize your own hub with the [Parametric Spool Hub](https://www.thingiverse.com/thing:3202091). If you're looking for an axle stand, check out [thing:3205383](https://www.thingiverse.com/thing:3205383) from Nicholas Bennett. [Video](https://youtu.be/1Cki6mBVA8s) If you're using Slic3r, be sure to uncheck "Detect thin walls". The spring blade is 0.7 mm thick and (in case of a 0.4 mm nozzle) should be printed with two print traces that slightly overlap each other. Update Nov 12, 2018: Added 3D printable axle, both standard (85 mm) and wide (115 mm) lengths. Hubs with integrated bearings are not recommended due to too much friction. Update Nov 21, 2018: Added 3D printable axles with stop blocks that prevent rotation in spool holders with open-top axle slots. Update Aug 4, 2019: Renamed to "Original Auto-Rewind Spool Holder"