Prusa Mini Top-Mount Spool Holder

thingiverse

This is my design for a top-mounted filament spool holder for the Prusa Mini. This print does require some hardware to install, but all hardware can be "borrowed" from the spool holder that comes with the printer! You will need to scavenge 2 of the bearings, 4 of the longer M3 screws, the 4 M3 nuts, and one of the shorter M3 screws (M3x12 and M3x10, I believe). Print 2 of the custom T-nuts (design courtesy of stoto, https://www.thingiverse.com/thing:3650254, thanks!), one bracket, one filament guide, one spindle, and one spindle nut. The only part that will require supports is the spindle. After all the parts are printed, either scavenge the aforementioned parts from the factory spool holder, or purchase your own hardware, and you're ready for assembly! Assembly should be pretty straight-forward, but here are the steps: 1. "Remove" the Z-axis. Unscrew the 2 bolts holding it on from the bottom, and gently pull up to access the bottom of the 3030 extrusion. Insert the 2 T-nuts into the bottom of the extrusion (with the M3 nuts installed!), and re-install the Z-axis. 2. Press the bearings into the top of the bracket. They should be a snug fit, so they don't come out with the spindle later. 3. Place the bracket on top of the Z-axis, and install the 4 bolts to hold it in place, tightening the front 2 first (the 2 on the right side have oblong holes to allow for easier alignment). The T-nut should line up perfectly if you use something like a pen to make the bottom of the nut flush with the bottom of the bracket. 4. Install the filament guide. The bracket has a threaded hole for an M3 screw, but can be quite fragile, so don't overtighten. 5. Install the spindle into the bearings on top, add a spool, and you're done! I suggest printing at 0.15mm layer height or lower to ensure everything fits properly and the threaded parts come out ok.