UNIVERSAL AMS lite Spool Adapter Holder by f1dude

f1dude

3D Printer>3D Printer Accessories

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Print Profile(4)

All

A1 mini

P1S

P1P

X1 Carbon

X1E

PLA Hexagon Yellow

Designer

8.7 h

5 plates

4.9(8)

PLA Rectangle Green

Designer

8.6 h

5 plates

4.8(4)

PETG Rectangle Green

Designer

10.4 h

5 plates

5.0(1)

PETG Hexagon Yellow

Designer

10.4 h

5 plates

Boost

189

200

269

Released

Description

Holder One is a fully functional, printable “AMS lite Rotary Spool Holder” that can grip not only bigger internal diameter spools (up to 75 mm vs. 58mm) but also smaller internal diameters (as little as 33mm vs. 53mm). It also includes a safety lock that stops the device from detaching and falling from the AMS or A1 mini.

During the printing process, the printer feeder unit pulls filament from the spool. Holder One works in coordination with the printer feeder to enable the spool to rotate continuously, ensuring that the filament is fed with constant adequate tension. This prevents spool erratic rotation, which can result in filament tangling. At the end of a print or when there is a filament color change, and the printer feeds the filament back to the spool, Holder One will rotate back up to 180 degrees, maintaining constant filament tension. This prevents the filament from unwinding outside of the spool, which can cause a jam.

Version 2: I have modified the clutch element to include adjustable tension hooks. This will allow fine-tuning of the winding function to accommodate the differences between print material friction coefficients; see the below picture.

Materials:

For best durability, I recommended printing using PETG, but I've also thoroughly tested it with PLA. I also recommend using the same machine to print all the parts so the tolerances between them are consistent. It has been designed to use a standard #32 rubber band that drives the spool winding mechanism. This rubber band can be purchased at Walmart or Amazon at the links below:

Walmart:

https://www.walmart.com/ip/Alliance-Size-32-3-x-1-8-Advantage-Rubber-Bands-2632A-2-oz-Bag-of-Approx-88-Bands-Natural/20882070?athbdg=L1102&from=/search&adid=22222222220220085369&wmlspartner=wmtlabs&veh=sem&vtcWeb=UAhkDW-OHOuurrmIM9Z4IA&expiryTime=1707785978935&c=mWebSmartBanner.

Amazon:

https://www.amazon.com/Universal-Rubber-Bands-Size-432/dp/B000783OSA/ref=sr_1_12?crid=VHUTTQY4QP1F&keywords=32+rubber+bands&qid=1707784264&sprefix=%2332+ruber%2Caps%2C103&sr=8-12

ASSEMBLY for the Yellow Hexagon Model:

For assembly pictures of the Green model, see the document in the Assembly Guide section.

To install on an A1 mini, please print my Hexagon axis at the link below:

https://makerworld.com/en/models/188107#profileId-207283

1- Insert the wheel on the Link flange.

2-Insert the Clutch into the link's axis as shown.

3- Insert the Link into the Axis. Make sure the clutch is inside the axis ratchet ring.

4- Insert the Holder into the axis. Make sure that the axis tab goes inside the holder's slot section.

5- Insert the Hook facing downwards into the Holder side slot

6- Insert the two Half Moons on top of the Axis.

7- Press fit the Lock Ring between the two Half Moons, making sure that the chamfered faces to the inside of the Axis.

8- Pre-assemble the locking mechanism by inserting the Clip inside the Clip Lock as shown below, then inserting the assembly into the back of the Axis, making sure the clip lock is pulled back so the Clip tabs can be retracted while being inserted into the axis internal rectangular slot. Once the Clip goes through the Axis rectangular slot, push just the Clip by itself (not the lock) all the way in until it is flushed to the inside of the taper hole.

9- It is very important that you use a standard #32 Rubber band for this next step (another kind of band might be used, but I can not guarantee that it will work properly). Insert the rubber band into the Clutch hook and then attach it to the Holder hook as shown below.

Version 2: I have modified the clutch element to include adjustable tension hooks. This will allow fine-tuning of the winding function to accommodate the differences between print material friction coefficients; see the below picture.

IMPORTANT !! If your clutch is slipping too many teeth at a time while rotating or the spool is not rotating backward enough degrees, please add a second rubberband parallel to the first one to the assembly .

Adding a spool:

1- For a small spool, add a Big Adapter Ring first and then a small ring on top of it, then place the spool on top of both.

2- Add a small Adapter Ring first and then a big one. Gently tighten the Nut Plate enough to stop the spool from spinning against the Holder.

3- Use the ring combinations below to fasten almost any kind of spool size.

Small Spool Mddle - Small Spool Right - Small Spool Left

4- No rings are necessary to hold a Spool ONE, as shown in the middle picture below.

Regular cardboard Spool - Spool ONE Sunlu -Big Diameter Spool

Using Holder ONE and Locking mechanism on the A1 mini and AMS lite.

To use the “Holder ONE” simply insert it into the correct shaft (Green and Yellow for AMS lite and yellow for A1 mini) with the “Clip Lock” pulled out, and once it has been properly inserted, push the “Clip Lock” in and the assembly will be locked in place. To remove it, just pull the “Clip Lock” and remove the Holder.

If you like the design, kindly consider buying me a coffee using the link below

https://www.buymeacoffee.com/f1dude

Thanks!

Documentation (1)

Assembly Guide (1)

Green Holder Assembly_948d81d8-6e8b-4d0f-a9f4-6cb2cfdef76c.jpg

Comment & Rating (44)

@user_3083108625

Boosted

thank you very much it works great on my ams instead of using a rubber band i used a thin Twistee from my girls and i just spun it a couple times till it felt good i do hear the click but that just tells me it is working good i'm i'm making 3 more one more yellow and 2 green and yes it does use some filament but it's worth it and family buys filament and they are small rolls i give you thumbs up great job

The designer has replied

@f1dude

Thank you so much for your boost, review and photo. Im gong to try te Twistee myself!

@charlie.waterwo

Boosted

I have no need for it so not downloaded, but wanted to say that your design and engineering skills are on point! Amazing work!

The designer has replied

@f1dude

Thank you so much for your kind words Charlie! I appreciate your compliment on my design. While you didn't have a need for it, I'm glad you still took the time to acknowledge it. It means a lot to me!

@laser_mike

I was really looking forward to trying one of these as it’s a great design and indeed does work. The only gripe I have is the annoying ratcheting clicks when the spool is unwinding. I was curious if you might be working on a solution to that issue. on another note. could you introduce models that would allow one to use these on an home built external spool adapter thanks Mike

The designer has replied

@f1dude

Hello Mike, thank you for your feedback. Most of my print trials were focused on noise reduction, and believe it or not, it was a lot louder on my first working models. The holder will get a little quieter over time. I haven’t started working on a new version yet, but I will begin soon and hopefully find a good compromise between noise and functionality. I will keep you posted.

@f1dude

With an external spool adapter, are you referring to something like this? https://makerworld.com/en/models/169803#profileId-220633 or this? https://makerworld.com/en/models/188107#profileId-207283

@laser_mike

I figured you were fully aware and most likely working on a solution as like you said a balance between noise snd function. I found by using some lube grease that it’s not as noisy and smoother operation. It had also though about filing/sanding down the nipple that actually makes the ratcheting sound. I’m curious if using a really hard solid Infill part made of TPU 95 might solve the loud clicking and make it more dull yet still function. i may try printing the part ( where rubber band attaches) out of marble PLA as it has a softer feel than PLA.. what are your thoughts. I had an idea for the mechanism that lets the spool unwind with the assistance of the rubber band. I have used short pieces of surgical tubing where you twist the tubing and hold it in place then it will spring back also and this could be totally hidden inside part of the spool adapter. just a wild thought and trying to help think through and use common household items. could springs be used to perform the function rhe rubber band does ?

@orklein182

Boosted

hi i have a small question i am using an open source AMS system(Chameleon) after a print if finished it takes the filament back for let's assume for about a turn and a half of the filament roll size how much will this holder take it back to the spool?

The designer has replied

@f1dude

Hi, thank you so much for your boost!!!! The AMS lite Bambu holder was designed to retract the filament approximately 90 degrees, but it depends on the weight of the spool. If it’s almost empty, it can retract up to 150 degrees. My design has a little more range (up to 180 degrees) of retraction, and it is also influenced by the spool weight. If your chameleon filament “Y” splitter is close to the extruder, like in the A1, it should be enough, but if you are using it on an X1 where the filament retracts 1 to 2 feet, then it won’t be enough. I hope this helps.

@jason.jordan

This thing is pretty awesome. I have been searching for something JUST like this for months. My A1 mini has been perfect except for ONE flaw. It travels all the way up and all the way down the Z axis to start a print (I don't use the AMS mini) and when that happens 60% of the time, if the spool is full, the filament slides off the spool and gets tangled. very frustrating. This gizmo fixes all of that. it's amazing!. I do have one question though. In use during a print... is it normal for this to make a loud clicking sound as the spool turns? I suppose I'd expect a soft click perhaps based on the way this works, but this is about the sound of snapping a pencil in half every 3.5 seconds. Is that normal?

The designer has replied

@f1dude

Hello Jason. Thank you very much for your detailed review. I am glad it's improving the performance of your A1 mini, the same as it did for mine. The holder can definitely be a little loud. While developing the design, I worked on many different friction profile designs to try to lower the ticking sound; trust me, it was even louder in the beginning. The sound will reduce itself a little once the clutch friction contact starts to wear, but there are also a couple of things you can do to reduce the volume. One is to play with the different rubber band tension settings until the friction is not too strong or too weak to make the holder work. The device will be louder if the rubber band is too tight. Another thing you can do is to re-print the clutch part with PETG. The PLA version is the loudest of the two materials I recommend printing, but PETG is a lot quieter. You can mix different material parts for this purpose. I hope this helps, and thanks again for your feedback!

@jason.jordan

Replying to @f1dude :

f1dude, thank you for the quick reply. don't get me wrong. I love this thing. I just wanted to make sure I had not done something wrong on assembly. I printed it from the start completely in PETG for strength and less friction on the spool axis/moving parts. I agree that PLA would have been alot louder. I did notice when I got home, before I read this, that the clicking was already a bit softer, presumably from a little wear after a full two days of running. I then moved the rubberband to the least tight position and ran a job. It still works great this way and sound is even more quite. I'd now consider it a manageable level. Be proud of this thing. It's awesome, works great, solves a real problem and no one else has anything like it posted. I could buy Bambu's yellow spool spare part but then I'd still have to deal with spool adapters etc. this thing solves all the problems with an A1 Mini that doesn't use the AMS lite. Steller work.

@user_4269256913

Print Profile

PLA Hexagon Yellow

(Edited)

@michael.fensome

Engineering at it's best, but not over engineered, an awesome piece of design work, your skills are second to none, first class work sir, the spool holders fit the AMS like a glove, the locking mechanism works like a dream, Bravo.

The designer has replied

@f1dude

Thank you for your kind words, Michael! It took me many hours of designing and testing before I felt confident with the holder's functionality. However, it makes the whole process worthwhile to know that people are having a positive user experience with it. Thanks again for your great feedback.

@laser_mike

Print Profile

PLA Rectangle Green

last successful print before updating FW on my A1 and it totally screwed everything up..don’t update to rhe latest FW if you use the handy app bc I breaks the functionality

The designer has replied

@f1dude

Thank you so much for your review an rating! I hope they fix the FW update soon.

@Llooping

Amazing it works, good job (print with A1)

The designer has replied

@f1dude

Thank you so much for your review. It was very important for me to be able to print it on an A1 mini. I’m glad it worked for you.

@user_3083108625

Boosted

Print Profile

PLA Hexagon Yellow

work out great

The designer has replied

@f1dude

Thank you so much for your boost, review and rating!

License

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