Ultimate Expandable Adjustable Filament Spool

Ultimate Expandable Adjustable Filament Spool

prusaprinters

This my latest (and final?) design for an adjustable, expandable filament holder for loose coils or samples. It supports filament coil diameters of 60-200mm and up to 3 coils (although I don't know why you would want to do that).Print InstructionsAll parts are printable with no support.Simple default settings are OK: 20% infill, 0.20mm, 2 perimeters, PLA.My print times:2 hub sides and 3 hub connectors 1:556 spokes 3:146 arms and 6 spoke connectors 2:35How To UseThere are many ways you can use this (here are some):A single coil hanging on the side arms. (my preferred)A single coil between the spokes.2 coils - one between the spokes and the other on the arms.2 coils - one on each side on arms.2 coils - one on a side with 3 spokes and the other on 3 staggered spokes3 coils - one in between and the others on arms.All parts easily snap together and pull apart for easy configuration. The arms rotate so you can drop a coil on then rotate them out.How I Designed ThisI have studied a lot of spool designs. I didn't like most of them - too big, too long to print, required winding, etc.I have designed several of my own. They work OK to a point. But I have always been on a quest for one that is flexible, easy and (reasonably) fast to print. I decided to go back to the drawing board and designed this one.These are some of the designs that this is loosely based on.https://www.thingiverse.com/thing:7980https://www.thingiverse.com/thing:62710https://www.thingiverse.com/thing:13395https://www.thingiverse.com/thing:1852953https://www.printables.com/model/5627-print-in-place-adjustable-filament-sample-spoolThese were the most promising:https://www.thingiverse.com/thing:298768https://www.printables.com/model/18581-loose-filament-spool-for-makerboxI especially liked the Snap-Fit in this one:https://www.thingiverse.com/thing:1986210/remixesBut the link to how to create the Snap-Fit is broken, so I did a little research and a couple of small tests and designed something that seems to work OK. Although I found engineering formulas for this, they were too complicated for me. So, I've included a little detail of my design.I use Fusion 360 for most of my design work (sometimes OpenSCAD and TinkerCAD). I'm not claiming to be an expert with Fusion 360, but I have designed dozens of projects and learned a lot along the way.I am including the .F3D source file as that is usually my biggest complaint - downloading a promising design that needs a little customization and no source file to modify.My design is 99% parametric. I have a Prusa MK3S which drives the hub diameter (to fit the Prusa "T" holder; and the overall radius (to swing from the "T" and clear the top frame rail. I used hex for the holes and connectors because it is one of the few shapes that prints laying down without support.

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