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This is a box / container / cup that uses the leftover cardboard from used up Bambu spools of filament. The inspiration for this model came from @Makidev's awesome toilet paper tube container model. According to user @ShadraakMakes, Elegoo spool cores also work with this model, so that's neat!

This is an elegant upcycled solution to reuse what would otherwise be trash / recycled waste into something useful. Plus, it only uses ~45g of filament total for a single spool core! There are also stackable container rings you can print to make your container however tall you wish!

• There are two versions, a magnetic lid version which is what I use, and a snapping lid version w/out magnets: 
  • See the Assembly section below for more details on both versions.
• There are a couple of optional parts you can print out to ‘build’ your container to your needs: 
  • Stackable connector ring for using multiple spool cores per container
  • Printed label for use with a single spool core container

Additional Hardware

The magnetic version's top ring and lid both require a total of (affiliate link) 8x round magnets (4mm x 2mm). These are the exact magnets I used, but I've also linked the same sized magnets from Bambu Lab's store below in the Bill of Materials section.

The snapping version does not need any additional hardware.

Printing Instructions

For the easiest experience, use the included profiles as everything is all set up and ready to go for printing in PLA. All you need to do is assign your filament and then slice and print the plates. All parts of this print require zero supports! If you are using the profiles, skip ahead to the Assembly section - if not, here is a rundown of the printed parts:

• The bottom rings and lids should be printed at 0.20mm layer height
  • The lids should be oriented with the magnet holes (magnetic version) and inner lip ring (snapping version) facing up
• The magnetic version's top ring should be printed at 0.16mm layer height
  • The magnetic version's top ring should be oriented with the magnet holes facing down (again, no supports are needed)
• The snapping version's top ring should be printed at 0.20mm layer height
• The stackable container ring should be printed at 0.20mm layer height (again, no supports are needed)
  • Only needed if you wish for your container to be more than 1x cardboard unit tall
• The labels should be printed at 0.20mm layer height and only 2 layers thick
  • The labels should be oriented with the text/logos/graphics/etc. face down
  • Be sure to mirror the text/logos/graphics/etc. along the x-axis so when they are done printing, everything is facing the correct way

Assembly

Assembling this container is pretty straightforward. Everything should be a friction fit, but I highly recommend gluing the bottom ring and the top ring to the cardboard spool itself. Additionally, if you are printing any stackable connector ring(s), I highly recommend gluing those to the cardboard as well.

Snapping Lid Version

If you are building the snapping lid version, you will definitely need to glue the top ring to the cardboard, otherwise the top ring will come off with the lid still attached. Just a word of caution, the lids are EXTREMELY tight at first. After opening / closing the lid 15-20 times, the lid really loosens up quite a bit and is very easy to open due to the wear and tear - that is primarily why I personally like and use the magnetic version. I feel it is more durable and will hold up longer IMO. Along with the regular snapping lid, I've also included a tighter and looser version in the print profile on separately named plates if the regular one doesn't work well enough.

If you want an open topped version without a lid, just print the bottom and top rings of the snapping lid version and it becomes a cup instead of a container!

See the photo at the bottom and follow those instructions, minus placing the magnets.

Magnetic Lid Version

In regards to the magnetic version, for my printer, the tolerance for the magnets was perfect and did not need to be glued in. They did take a bit of force to get set in place. If your magnets are loose for whatever reason, use a small drop of super glue to secure them in place. Be sure to get the magnets' polarities correct!

A couple of times, the magnet would not fully set in the hole on the top ring - it was not flush and sticking up a little. When this happened, I just used a pair of needle-nose pliers to squeeze the magnet in place and make them flush with the base. Be careful of squeezing too hard and accidentally breaking the ring!

If you want to print a label, I have included a few examples and a blank label. They are printed at 0.20mm layer height and are two layers thick (0.40mm thick). To attach the label to the container, I used super glue. In hindsight, hot glue or even double-sided tape may be a better option. Regardless of how you attach it, add a few rubber bands to it to act as a clamp while the glue cures and to let the label ‘mold’ to shape. It might even be a good idea to use a hairdryer to heat the label up so it ‘deforms’ into shape as well.

* The labels are only meant for a single spool container / cup. The are too small to be used with the stackable connector rings. If there is interest from the community, I can make labels for stacked cardboard spool units.

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