Parametric Hangable Any-Direction Continuous Slip Clutch with optional Auto-Rewind Universal Spool Holder

thingiverse

VIDEO: https://youtu.be/kHT3rltCInU VIDEO OF WALL MOUNT: https://youtu.be/K_UAO0O55NQ VIDEO OF NEW RETRACTABLE ID BADGE HOLDER SPRING CLUTCH: https://youtu.be/7oF00uh40uk I created this to be the ultimate universal spool holder. It's currently designed to hang from under a shelf/table (e.g. Ikea Lack) with the spool sitting *horizontally* (to make it easier to swap spools and load filament). However, I will be making a wall mount and a regular stand so you can use it anywhere, any which way, under any circumstances! **FEATURES** * It's parametric! You can adjust *everything* to your heart's delight. Want one that uses *huge* bearings with *huge*, 3kg spools? No problem! Want to make a tiny one for sewing machine thread? No problem! * Ever have a spool that just *won't behave* and likes to *unwind itself*? No problem! This spool holder features a *continuous slip clutch* that ensures *there's always tension* on the filament. The amount of tension applied is adjustable! * Have a Multi-Material Upgrade that just loves to unload filament everywhere leaving a tangled mess? No problem! Print the "Retractable ID Badge Holder Auto-Rewind Clutch" instead of the regular clutch and the spool holder will auto-rewind the filament *in addition to acting as a continuous release clutch*. The release tension is adjustable just like the normal clutch. **This auto-rewind mechanism is super smooth and reliable!** * It comes pre-rendered for use with 22mm skate bearings or 25mm, printable Airsoft pellet bearings (model included). * It works with a **strong** metal 8mm or 5/16th inch threaded rod to ensure nothing will ever break or fall apart. * You can mount it **under a shelf**, **on a wall**, or use flat on a table with the **vertical or horizontal stands**. * It's designed in such a way so as to be hangable or mountable any which way! * It should work with *any size spool*. If you have something funky just adjust the necessary parameters in the .scad and print a customized version! Why I made this: I recently picked up Prusa's Multi-Material Upgrade 2.0 which unloads like 40cm worth of filament during filament changes. When this occurs the filament just sort of *spills out* the PTFE tubes--taking the path of least resistance--and makes a *giant, tangled mess*. I was having issues where extra "coily" (e.g. end-of-spool) filaments would get caught/self-tangled and ultimately end up with failed prints (flexibles are *the worst* in this regard). I tried various auto-rewinding spool holders but they all seem to have issues. The biggest one being, "it's real pain to change filaments"! Because every other one (when I started working on this) has the spool mounted vertically this means that if you place them side-by-side it's really difficult to reach behind the spools to pull and load the filament. Especially if your filament is *under* your printer (like I have with mine). Another problem with existing designs: They're way too easy to knock off their mounts! When reaching around the back of 5 filament spools you're likely to elbow one right off its mount or topple the whole thing over. I wanted something that would allow *stacking* the filament spools on top of each other and/or place one in front of the other while still allowing access to the ones in the back or above/below. This parametric universal spool holder design should solve *all* those issues.