Vector 3 Spool Holders (Quick Swap)

thingiverse

These innovative spool holders are engineered for effortless installation, requiring no screws or attachments to secure them in place. They seamlessly slip over the spool holder bracket, staying firmly positioned without any hassle. This convenient design allows you to quickly and easily swap out spools of varying sizes, whether it's a smaller spool that won't fit on the standard holder or a large 1KG spool that exceeds the normal one's capacity. The standard Vector 3 spool will comfortably fit on the small spool holder, rendering the need for the larger one obsolete. The "XL" spool holder boasts impressive size and strength, even with low infill settings; its robust design appears more than capable of withstanding the forces exerted upon it. After extensive use in numerous prints, I'm pleased to share these designs with fellow V3 owners who may be seeking an upgrade from their current spool holders. Here are my print settings: Printer: Vector 3 Rafts: No Supports: No Resolution: 0.2 Infill: 20% Notes: To ensure successful printing, I recommend rotating the design 90 degrees to print it flat on the bed, rather than standing upright. I designed these spool holders in response to my need for a larger holder that could accommodate a 1KG roll of filament. Upon reviewing Thingiverse, I was disappointed by the numerous designs that mimicked the injection-molded part, requiring support structures and screws for installation. Before even exploring design options on Thingiverse, I had already determined the optimal printing strategy. However, many others opted to print their spool holders upright, which only added to the need for complex supports. My primary goal was to create a holder that could be easily swapped between multiple sizes, taking full advantage of 3D printing's unique freedoms. As we continue to push the boundaries of 3D printing, it's essential to remember that we don't have to conform to traditional manufacturing constraints. We can experiment with innovative designs and materials that wouldn't be feasible in a production setting. My spool holders embody this spirit, offering a quick-swap solution that's both functional and aesthetically pleasing. Interestingly, my design may not have required the same level of CAD expertise as some of the other submissions. Nevertheless, I firmly believe that it offers a superior combination of functionality and interchangeability – a testament to the flexibility and creativity that 3D printing has to offer.