Spool Holder (many spool sizes, easy spool exchange)

thingiverse

This adaptable spool holder accommodates numerous different sizes of spools. Two cones keep the spool centered and in place. To minimize friction during rotation, bearings are used. Spool exchange is straightforward: lift the spool/rod from the frame, loosen the wing nut at the two-part cone, disassemble the cone, remove the rod from the spool, then reverse the process for the new spool. Remember to retrieve the wide washer before it falls into the spool. The default parameters allow for spool hole diameters between 29mm and 65mm (limited by the wing nut size and cone diameter respectively). Spools up to approximately 100mm in width are supported, though a wider spool may be accommodated if its hole is larger due to the protruding cones. This part was designed using my scadgen Python tool, which outputs OpenSCAD or OpenJSCAD code. To generate OpenSCAD and open the result: python2.7 /main.py filament_holder.py -o out.scad -s Updates: Certain holes have been made octagonal to facilitate easier printing. Assembly Guide: Instructions Bill of Materials: - All printed parts (counts specified in file names). - 40x M8 washers. - 36x M8 nuts. - 2x wide M8 washer for the cones (optional, regular washers may be used instead; however, too wide washers might not fit into the spool). - 1x M8 wing nut. - 2x 608 bearings. - 2x ~38mm M4 threaded rods to hold the cone together (can be cut from a screw). - M8 threaded rods for the frame: - 2x 215mm (bottom triangle edges) - 4x 145mm (upper triangle edges) - 3x 190mm (horizontal rods connecting the triangles) Assemble according to the provided images. Several things warrant mention: Glue the bearing covers to the top vertices; this is necessary because the geometry can be difficult to print. The two-part cone consists of two different pieces, where one has slightly narrower holes. The two supporting M4 threaded rods are screwed into this piece and stay in place. The assembly at the fixed cone is not visible on the images. It starts from the end of the rod: nut, washer, bearing, washer, washer, washer, wide washer, cone, washer, nut.