PrintDry Filament Feed System

thingiverse

Update: I've remixed this into a brand new version that has some serious improvements. Check it out here - https://www.thingiverse.com/thing:2899347 PrintDry recently wrapped up a successful Kickstarter campaign to start mass-producing containers designed specifically for holding one spool of filament and keeping it dry. So far, they work like a charm! Unfortunately, these containers have no mechanism for feeding the filament out, so you'll need to remove the filament before printing, exposing it to moisture. This is especially problematic with polycarbonate and nylon filaments. This thingamajig is a cleverly designed filament spindle and feed-through that lets you retrofit your PrintDry containers for effortless filament feeding, eliminating the need to ever open up the container and expose the filament to moisture. The spool holder relies on a standard 608 skate bearing (8mmx22mmx7mm). To assemble it, simply drill a 4mm hole in the center of the bottom of your PrintDry container. Then, screw on a 4x20mm button head bolt that serves as the spindle. The hardware setup from the bottom is straightforward: 4mm bolt - printdry - printed bushing - bearing - printed spindle - washer - nut - nut. To prevent the nuts from coming loose, tighten them against each other. Next, position and drill holes to mount the filament guide using M3 hardware. Then, use a 4mm drill to create a hole through both the filament guides and PrintDry container. Finally, slide in a length of bowden tube for reduced friction; it should fit snugly. The filament guides are carefully designed to match the diameter of your PrintDry container, so be sure to print them with a brim and the horns facing upwards. One minor issue you might encounter is that the central bolt head could protrude slightly from the bottom of the container, causing the PrintDry to wobble when placed on a table. However, I've found this doesn't happen with an M4 button head bolt. If it does become an issue for you, simply print the optional bottom base, which provides a space for the bolt. Update: Taulman Nylon spools now feature standard spool profiles, so there's no need to request a special version.