Top Spool Brake With Print-in Supports Anet A8 A6

thingiverse

Ever find yourself wrestling with a spool that's come undone during prints? I know the frustration firsthand. The solution lies in eliminating unwanted rolling for free-rolling top-mounted spools on bearings, allowing them to move smoothly in either direction. My own experiences with twisted filament, caused by the curved shape of the spool, inspired this innovation. As the rigid filament is pulled off, it naturally wants to return to its coiled state - a phenomenon that can lead to disaster in 3D-printing, causing damage to prints, multiple lengths of filament, and even printer parts. V2 takes this concept to the next level with a more secure and substantial hinge, ensuring durability and reliability. The design also boasts improved aesthetics and zero-maintenance printed-in supports - all you need to do is cut them out, no glue required. You can print the model exactly as shown in the photos. To add extra friction and stability, I used weather-stripping and a spring from an ink pen (check out the photos). Note: The model files uploaded have undergone improvements for durability and functionality, making them slightly different - and better - than my original prototype. I left V1 up mostly as a reference to show how far we've come.