November 26, 2024
Description
Executive Summary:
I have removed the files for the Bambu Refill spool. There was an error and these are too narrow for the inner cardboard tube. I am posting a new version as a remix and have updated the description.
NOTE: I have added STL files. I would use the step files unless your slicer doesn't handle them. I have not printed from the STL files and am at least a little concerned that the faceting might cause problems with the fit.
Background:
One of the first things I ran into with my Bambu X1C was that the AMS had very tight requirements on spools, Bambu was out of almost everything, and there was very little information on the spools from various vendors. My first forays were incompatible, so I wanted to respool. I found this winder here on Printables and it has served pretty well, although I redesigned the crank handle and spindle when the one in the design broke.
MUCH Improved Spool Winder - Helical Gears by SDHayes | Download free STL model | Printables.com
I found the popular 2-part spool with the honeycomb sides but was frustrated with the print times and the material usage.
Improved Bambu Lab Reusable Spool Holder by Blizzard | Download free STL model | Printables.com
Next, I found Lockspool 3. Which had some very nice ideas. First, it was a single piece, each side, symmetrical. Second that the filament retention holes were build into the ends of the spokes. These are easy to lace and didn’t put a kink in the filament or have the filament sticking out the side. It also used much less material and printed much faster than the Bambu compatible one above.
In use I found the starter holes in the hub to be too big to grab the end of the filament to start spooling. The latch was almost completely ineffective and combined with the clearances it the engagement prongs to the body it was too loose. I had one separate and trap the filament ruining a print. I also wanted provision for a label. With a lot of similar looking but chemically different filaments, and my poor memory that was bound to be a problem.
As a result, I decided to do my own, stealing a lot of ideas from the LockSpool. I changed the nature of the locking tabs. They are smaller and designed to interfere slightly when engaged. The fingers flex slightly when engaged and create a secure fit. I also made small detents on each tooth that make the mating very secure but still separable. I made the starter holes next to the flange to make initial layers neater and small enough that the filament sticks when you bend it to start to spool. I also added a small web so that a label can be attached to identify the filament.
In my slices with the same materials and settings, it prints in about 66% of the time of the honeycomb one and uses dramatically less material. 46g in poly carbonate with the standard 2 wall 0.2mm layer height Bambu settings.
A final note. I would not print these in PLA. If you ever have cause to dry filament, PLA will be ruined even if you are drying PLA. It should be a reasonably high temperature filament to allow it to last a long time.
License:
Creative Commons — Attribution
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