Winder Spool Adapter

Overview

This is an adapter for using larger spools/bobbins with my embroider floss winder. The planetary gear system gives enough torque to handle a bit more, and this allows larger spools/bobbins to handle them.

Print out, attach to the main winder, then lock in a spool to be used.

Designed for use with 

and also

Printing

Select the pieces you need, including deciding if you will want both shaft versions or just one.

Settings

• 0.28mm layer height

• 3+ walls

• no supports needed

• default infill (the walls will provide most of the needed strength)

STEP vs STL

I've included .step files because they give smoother results with smaller files as long as your slicer (such as Orca Slicer) supports them. The .stl versions are included for those who need them for their workflows, but are normally of a poorer quality due to tessellation being baked in.

Do not be fooled by the Printable's 3d preview. They recently added support for .step files (nice!), but run their preview conversion at a much lower quality than Orca slicer and its ilk use when opening .step files. So it is still better to use the .step versions if your slicer supports it.

Needed

• 1x BottomLeft

• 1x BottomRight

• 1x BraceShaft and/or BraceShaftThick

• 2x ClipA

• 1x ClipB

• 1x ClipC

• 1x End

• 1x Top

Additional Parts

• 1x length of filament to use as hinge pins.

Assembly

Print all the needed pieces and get a length of filament ready.

Note that for visibility in instructions I have printed pieces with the following colors

• pink - BottomLeft

• red - BottomRight

• red - BraceShaft and/or BraceShaftThick

• orange - ClipA

• red - ClipB

• orange - ClipC

• yellow - End

• orange - Top

Fit the bottom left piece into place with the top, and insert a length of filament as the hinge. Trim to fit and if desired add a drop of glue on one end

Repeat the same for the bottom right piece

Drape the top down over the winder's main body with the two bottom pieces hanging free

Bring the bottom pieces together so that they clasp tightly onto the vertical support of the winder that leads to its clamp

Insert one of the clamp A pieces downwards to lock the bottom on. When loading in a spool the clip will have to be temporarily removed.

Usage

Fit a spool down onto the exposed hex end of the sun gear on the winder. For the largest sizes you might have to remove the clip on the back of the brace to get it in. Push firmly down until it fits snugly onto the hex end.

Fit the end down onto the top and bottom pieces so that it locks the tabs into place

Insert clib B into the top tab and clip A into the bottom tab (also replacing the clip A on the other end if it were removed to fit the spool/bobbin into place)

Insert either the normal or the thick shaft until it goes all the way through the spool's hub and notches into the center of the hex part of the sun gear on the winder. Lock into place with clip C

You should now be all ready to wind up your larger yarn or cord.