Replicator+ Secondary Filament Feed

thingiverse

This Spool Holder is designed specifically for the MakerBot Replicator+. It installs quickly by hanging on the back of the machine, as shown in the images, with a tab to hold it firmly in place so it doesn't slide across the back during printing. Having a second spool installed while printing makes mid-print color changes much faster and easier because the second color spool is already loaded. Simply pause your Rep+, unload the filament, reload from the alternative spool/system, and resume. No longer do you need to open up the drawer and physically change spools mid-print to create multi-color prints. This spool holder has been designed to accommodate alternative 3rd Party spools of various sizes. It will accept spools up to 250mm in diameter, 57mm wide, and with a core size greater than 52mm. This will work with many but not all brands. A second size has been added for wider spools, which can take spools up to 70mm wide. Note: MakerBot genuine filament is manufactured to a very high standard, ensuring reliable printing. Be cautious when using 3rd party filament as low-quality filament can cause print reliability and quality issues, as well as damage your extruder. A Guide Tube Link file is also provided, which attaches to both guide tubes to ensure the secondary guide tube follows a similar path to the extruder as the original guide tube. The Spool Holder surface is ribbed to reduce friction so the spool will rotate smoothly and easily with minimal drag. This system is easy to print, install, and use. Be aware of two things: (1) The drawer won't slide up when the secondary/rear Spool Holder is installed. If you need to change the spool in the drawer, simply lift the rear spool holder off its mounting position and set it behind the machine in a way that keeps the connected guide tube clear of the drawer. (2) Make sure the unused Guide Tube is positioned around the side of the machine and away from all moving parts so it doesn't interfere during printing but remains easily accessible for filament color changes. This solution makes using a Replicator+ in a creative way easier and opens up alternative filament colors and types. Please refer to the print settings and images for additional information. Note: If you enjoy this design, be sure to check out my other practical and fun creations.