SlantSpool Reusable Filament Spool

thingiverse

We operate a large-scale 3D printing farm, competing directly with injection molding techniques. Hundreds of spools are carelessly discarded every day, resulting in unnecessary plastic waste and increased freight costs due to their substantial weight. We've created the reusable filament spool as a resource for manufacturers who want to eliminate spool costs from their production processes and pass savings on to customers. We recently encountered MasterSpool by RichRep, which had a good concept for individual 3D printers but failed to scale up effectively. The design used too much material and introduced unnecessary complexity. We continued developing our own solution, designing the SlantSpool specifically for use in our high-volume printing farm. The SlantSpool is a single piece that's printed twice, featuring a unique latching system allowing any two halves to be connected without regard to orientation. This design eliminates the need to print right and left variations, saving mental effort and resources. If one half breaks, a spare part from another unused spool can easily replace it. We're working with filament suppliers to manufacture these rolls at scale, but to make production affordable, we had to reduce material usage significantly. The MasterSpool's bulky design is impractical for large-scale 3D printing production. We reduced the material needed by half by making the outer walls thinner and incorporating ribs inside for added rigidity. The SlantSpool's innovative connecting system features a quarter-turn mechanism that's quick and easy to use. Simply press two halves together, twist, and they're securely latched. This is significantly faster than the traditional spinning method required to secure other spools. Designed for both frugal makers and commercial users, the SlantSpool offers an attractive solution for those seeking cost-effective filament refills. Interested parties can contact us at info@slant3d.com or visit our website at Slant3D.com for more information on large-scale production options.