Z18 Side Mount Spool Holder

thingiverse

Feeding filament from underneath may cause issues with print completion and quality due to potential resistance. To resolve these issues, you can create a simple alternative filament feed system using 3D printing technology on any printer. This setup is comparable in design to side-mounted spool holders for the recommended 900gm MakerBot PLA spools. The idea behind this setup involves minimizing filament feed path lengths through Teflon tube from the base of the Z18, combined with an 'uphill' feed path that can reduce excessive resistance on demand from the machine. Furthermore, certain types of filament on some spools may be stuck together slightly due to adjacent or underlying filament, which requires extra tension for smooth removal. These factors can lead to under-extrusion and lower print quality. A straightforward solution involves creating two parts: a spool holder and a threaded bolt designed to secure the system onto the side of your Z18 while the lid is removed. To assemble this system successfully, refer closely to the provided instructions and images for proper fitting (...but understanding is straightforward). To obtain STL files and various versions tailored for standard or wider MakerBot spools, navigate to the related resources. In addition, an 'Extra' add-on accessory has been introduced - a small attachment called a "Filament Guide" that prevents unwinding issues on full spools by positioning itself between the filament and extruder input, ensuring smooth filament feed throughout printing processes. To print these components efficiently, select "Raft" in the settings without choosing any support options. Then, apply 4 or more shell layers along with at least a 30% fill to achieve robustness during the build process.