SPOOL Recycling Parts

thingiverse

It's a real waste to discard a Spool Reel considering the environmental implications of recycling and the potential for 3D printing purposes. We actually use ePLA made from recycled filament and plastic, and the spool itself is cardboard too, which makes it a more eco-friendly option. Printing an entire reel/spool that disassembles can be time-consuming, requiring significant energy, filament, and effort to produce a high-quality result. To reduce packaging, weight, shipping costs, and overall environmental impact, we're focusing on using refill filaments with minimal packaging. This DIY project is composed of several parts that can be printed quickly at a low layer height setting of 0.3 and low fill density. The HUB component spaces out the reel's sides to ensure proper alignment. An AXLE aligns all the parts together, while a LOCK RING holds everything in place. A SPACER allows for adjustable width settings, giving users flexibility with their filament refill widths. I've included two HUB sizes: 50mm and 46mm. Choose the one that suits your filament's width, and pair it with the SPACER ring(s) to keep the refill tight within the reel. Updated on July 20, 2020, I've also added the AXLE INNER.stl file for smooth rotation and the AXLE BEARING.stl file to modify older AXLE INNER.stl designs. Print two bearings and glue them in place for optimal results.