165mm Smart Spool (with Bearing & Spindle) by ModernGnome

Last crawled date: 3 years ago

SMART SPOOL with Built-in Bearings
When assembled, these parts make a standard size 1KG Filament spool 165mm (w) x 84mm (h) with a special feature: the spool has a built-in bearing mechanism that helps it spin smoothly when installed inside a printer like the Tiko!
All parts are 125mm x 84mm in size or smaller, allowing the parts to be printed on a Tiko printer, which has an internal bay for filament spools of this size.
The (optional) bearing mechanism and spindle can be inserted into the lower portion of the hub, allowing the spool to spin freely when mounted inside a 3D printer like the Tiko. An optional extender increases the size of the spool to 84mm high -- the exact height of a standard 165mm 1KG spool.
To assemble:
1) Locate the upper hub marked with LL(eft) and R(ight), T(op) and B(ottom), then glue the corresponding rims in place using Super Glue, Krazy Glue or similar.
2) The lower hub and rims are labeled with L and T only; glue these rims to the corresponding sections of the lower hub.
It is not necessary to glue the screw-together parts. See http://www.thingiverse.com/thing:352657 for information on how to wind filament onto this spool.
2016-12-21 update: I've posted the uncut top and bottom spool parts for those with access to printers with a print bed size of at least 165mm x 165mm. Those with Tiko printers do not need the "uncut" files.
2016-12-23 update: At this time, the file Smart_Spool-bearing.stl is proving impossible to print on Tiko. Until Tiko provides a working method of adding support, or further improves its raft, I have provided a workaround file SS_Bearing_w_Helper_Ring.stl that includes a .4mm "artificial raft" ring that should help to hold the bearings in place while they are printed on a Tiko. Users of other printers do not need to use this file. (And Tiko should not require it either!) If you use this file, you will have to manually remove the ring of support material from below the bearing cylinders in order for them to spin as intended.
If Tiko owners find other models that don't stay put (Rocketz by muzz64 comes to mind) on the raft, this technique can be used on virtually any model by adding one or more "Helper Disks" (http://www.thingiverse.com/thing:346319) below the parts you want to hold in place in order to print them on a Tiko. Good luck!