Pastamatic Filament Spool Winder Modifications: Braces and 5kg Spool Support

Pastamatic Filament Spool Winder Modifications

Changelog:

2024-02-23

• Added options for huge spools and small spool with spacers. Thanks to Ch3vr0n for the idea and testing of the spool spacers

Modifications to GekoPrime's winder to better meet my use-cases. Features braces for rigidity and alignment, as well as support for spooling from Polymaker's 5kg spools. It also features the ability to use even bigger and smaller spools when using the optional spacers.

For the latest files, please clone this repo

The friction on the leadscrew tooth was enough to have the leadscrew block jump up and pull the whole machine up with it. I created a brace that adds more stiffness than just the crossbars, and added a clamping tab for good measure. 

The source cradle had too much skew play for my liking so I created a brace to match the target brace above.  

I wanted to be able to respool from Polymaker's 5kg spools, so I modified the source brace to fit the large spool. However the height of the 5kg idlers was enough that the single flat brace I used for the 3kg spools didn't suffice. I added collars that bolt together for optimal stiffness. 

Parts to Print

From this mod
 

• If your printer build plate can fit the "1x_source_brace_for_5kg_spools.stl" then use that file. Otherwise, use the "*_small_bed.stl" version
   
• One of each file excluding the cases above

From the original

• 1x_double_idler.stl
• 1x_leadscrew.stl
• 1x_leadscrew_pin.stl
• 1x_leadscrew_tooth.stl
• 1x_passive_target_cradle.stl
• 1x_spindle_female.stl or alternate_spindle_female_long.stl
• 1x_spindle_male_driven.stl
• 1x_spindle_male_passive.stl
• 2x_source_cradle.stl
• 5x_idler.stl
• 7x_pin_long.stl
• 8x_pin_short.stl
   
  The wiper mounts were, in my experience, completely useless and only got in the way. You may try them yourself but imo they're a waste of time and filament. I also found the spindle_clip to kinda suck, but YMMV. 

Future possibilities 

I'm considering making a static electricity discharging brush as both spools, or maybe the filament itself, idk, get charged enough to suck in all the dust and debris of a room. Currently the only method of combating debris I use is a small piece of sponge/foam that I stick the filament through which works pretty well at grabbing the debris before it gets to the nozzle, but isn't perfect. If you'd like to see static discharge added as a feature, please leave a comment mentioning this.