3D Printed Spool Holder (off topic)

[JamesF]

What's the PSU rating for the Arduino Mega 2560 + RAMPS, Gina?  Will 12V@15A be sufficient?  And any particularly recommended source for the parts?  Or are they all much of a muchness?

You're not wrong though.  As a temporary workaround I could just connect a fan across that spare 12V output and put a switch in the line.

James

[Gina]

Depends on your bed heater which is usually the biggest current drain.   Can't remember where I bought mine now but I tend to use Amazon mostly.  Ebay sometimes.

You will also want an adapter for the LCD unit - it looks like yours is different from the RepRap standard so that might be a problem.  My LCD units have two same size connectors on the ribbon cables.  I have upgraded from Arduino/RAMPS to Duet WiFi control boards but they are far from cheap, working out at the best part of £150 each including carriage and VAT.  They have many advantages though such as quiet motor operation, cleaner prints, easier to set up and everything controlled from a browser interface.

[Stub Mandrel]

On 07/12/2018 at 04:54, Demonperformer said:

Using a 3D printer to make bits for a 3D printer ... I have visions of the machines starting to replicate themselves and taking over

Err... That was the original concept behind RepRap...

 

FWIW this is my spool holder, uses bearings in the reels.

 

[Mognet]

Those beat my slightly off the wall spool roller effort

 

[JamesF]

Fortunately I've not had problems with mine so far, so I've not felt the need to make new rollers for the spool.  I did make a stand that is independent of the main printer chassis though, so the printer isn't affected by the weight or movement of the filament:

James

[JamesF]

Oh, and my Arduino + RAMPS kit arrived today.  That's another job for a cloudy evening then...

James

[Gina]

Just printed a new spool holder for my Titan printer to take the larger size 2200g reels of filament and also 4500g reels.  Bit different from the usual 1Kg reels ?

[Chriske]

On 07/12/2018 at 11:03, Gina said:

Plus a well made printer.

Most important point...

[Chriske]

I also use larger (modest..?) reels 2.2kg.
But I store them inside my printer. Most of the time we(all?) print parts not that high.  So the space in the lower part of my printers is always(most of the time) empty.
For that reason I do install my reels (that are in use) horizontally on the bottom of my printer. With that reel inside I can print as high as 130mm. When I want to print something high I remove the reel and the 'renewed/enlarged space allow me to print 255 mm high.

The filament is pulled up and guided through a teflon tube. Works perfectly. To minimise friction I removed all grease out of the supporting ball bearings and replaced it with a very thin spray of WD40. I also removed both sealings of both ball bearings.

The brass shim is to apply some friction(adjustable) by bending these shims I can tune the amount of friction...