Thin Spool Stabiliser

myminifactory

Hello, I'd like to introduce my entry for the #pimpmyprusa design challenge. The MK3 Double Spoolholder is incredibly sturdy and stable. Wide spools like the Prusa PLA and Prusament ones fit perfectly on it, unrolling evenly and smoothly. However, thinner spools from other manufacturers, such as Filamentum, tend to rattle and slide back and forth with the extruder movement. This extension was designed to stabilize them and ensure they unroll evenly without unnecessary shaking. The entire weight of the spool still rests on the Spoolholder, making this entire setup extremely reliable. Since both panels are movable, it allows the spool to be placed anywhere on the arm of the spool holder. To swap out the spool for a different one, you simply need to remove one of the panels. I decided to design multiple versions of the panels, including a basic pattern, one with a Prusa design, and one with a floral pattern. This way, this extension can be both functional and aesthetically pleasing. All the parts print seamlessly without supports at 0.2 mm layer height. No post-processing is required for the printed parts, and no modifications need to be made to the Spoolholder. Printing guidelines: - Print one Spool Attachment, Key, and Pin; and two Panels, either identical or different. - If you want the spool to be mounted on the other arm of the Spoolholder, mirror the Spool Attachment in your slicing software. - No supports are needed for any part. - Use a 0.2 layer height, infill percentage between 15-20%. - Three perimeters for the Spool Attachment, two for the other parts. - The pin should be printed vertically; the layer lines will stabilize the panels. After printing, push the unchamfered end of the pin into the slot on the Spool Attachment. Next, mount it on the Spoolholder and secure it with the Key. After that, attach the first panel, then the thin spool, and finally the second panel. Ensure the spool can unroll freely, and you're good to go. Tolerances on the printed parts are very tight; if necessary, you can scale the pin uniformly in the x/y dimensions by a small amount. The panels should be movable by hand but with a certain resistance, so the spool won't move them. After removing the panels, you can mount a wider spool without disassembling the rest of the parts, as they will not obstruct the spools movement.