Mini Spool System
Print Profile(1)
Bill of Materials
Description
Reduce storage space requirements for filament samples and leftovers down to ⅓ the width of a typical spool.
I rely on using filament samples to increase the number of colours that I can print with for smaller projects. Drying and storing this small amount of filament using full-sized spools has been a hassle. I've been looking for a way to decrease the space required for storage, maintain the ability to dry the filament, and maintain full compatibility to use the filament as if it were on a full sized spool.
Mini Spools
The mini spools (red in photos) are printed in halves. One side has pegs, the other side has holes. Carefully align the two sides and press-fit them together. If printed in ASA (or similar), you can use some acetone on a q-tip to weld the two halves together. I have not needed to do this yet as the pegs have been sufficient.
Spool Holder
The spool holder (black in photos) utilizes two 8mm x 2mm magnets per side (4 in total for each spool holder) that are installed during printing pauses. By installing the magnets with alternating polarity (north up for one, south up for the other), you guarantee that each half spool holder printed with work with any other half spool holder printed.
Dryer Compatibility
Print in ASA (or similar) to be dryer-compatible for PLA filament. I've yet to test drying PETG on these spools so cannot guarantee PETG dryer compatibility. The mini spools in the photos are printed in ASA and have been through drying cycles while holding PLA. The spool holder was also printed in ASA and is not used in the drying process.
AMS Compatibility
The spool holder - mini spool combination is within 1 mm of a standard Bambu spool width and have worked well in my AMS.
Spool Handling
This system was designed so that the mini spools are stored and handled separate from the spool holder except when immediately used for printing. The magnets used in the spool holder are sufficient for printing usage and are likely to be insufficient if used to hold mini spools for regular storage, movement, and general use apart from printing. This was a design decision.
This mini spool system is certainly not perfect - it is ‘good enough’ for me and is now in use. I'm hoping others may find it useful as well.
License
You shall not share, sub-license, sell, rent, host, transfer, or distribute in any way the digital or 3D printed versions of this object, nor any other derivative work of this object in its digital or physical format (including - but not limited to - remixes of this object, and hosting on other digital platforms). The objects may not be used without permission in any way whatsoever in which you charge money, or collect fees.
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