1 Topic by Oldsirhippy

  • Oldsirhippy
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Topic: External filament reel un-ravelling when printing

Whilst it looks like many DaVinci XYZ printer owners opt for external spools rather than the XYZ cartridges - how do you keep the filament on the external spool from un-ravelling and twisting itself into a complete mess when printing?

Is there an easy solution?

2 Reply by mpoffo

  • mpoffo
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Re: External filament reel un-ravelling when printing

I have tried a number of filament holders. 

I use one that is similar to this but prints all in one piece and is sturdier:

http://www.thingiverse.com/thing:293623

I could not find the one I use for some reason.  I have had only one issue where the spool unraveled some and messed up a print.  I added a front feed guide to mine to try to keep the filament near the center of the roll.  I created the feed guide adapter for the front of my current holder in tinkercad.  It is still early so I am not sure if it will work but I think it will.

I usually don't print overnight if I can help it.  For the big prints I wait until the weekend or if I am off.  I usually keep an eye on things but can't be hovering over the printer for 6-12 hours straight.  smile

I was thinking of trying a style like this.

http://www.thingiverse.com/thing:283656

I would also be interested in peoples experiences with these and if there are any recommended ones people use that prevent the filament from "jumping" out of the roll and getting tangled.

DaVinci 1.0A with Repetier .92
Simplify 3D
E3DV6

3 Reply by fetasigma

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Re: External filament reel un-ravelling when printing

i use 2 sperate things that have worked wonders for this issue first just about any spool holder, but then i use this fiment guide  http://www.thingiverse.com/thing:593753wich goes on the top door of the Davinci(assuming your spool holder sits on the roof) and it has made it a non issue

4 Reply by carl_m1968

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Re: External filament reel un-ravelling when printing

I use a frame that has four bearings that the spool sits on. Then that is placed on a shelf above (note above is a very important word here) the printer. The spool is the pushed back so it rubs the wall which keeps it from spinning completely freely.

Printing since 2009 and still love it!
Anycubic 4MAX best $225 ever invested.
Voxelabs Proxima SLA. 6 inch 2k Mono LCD.
Anycubic Predator, massive Delta machine. 450 x 370 print envelope.

5 Reply by mpoffo (edited by mpoffo 2015-06-18 19:34:58)

  • mpoffo
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Re: External filament reel un-ravelling when printing

fetasigma wrote:

i use 2 sperate things that have worked wonders for this issue first just about any spool holder, but then i use this fiment guide  http://www.thingiverse.com/thing:593753 goes on the top door of the Davinci(assuming your spool holder sits on the roof) and it has made it a non issue

Nice I will have to try that.  What I did was somewhat similar but not directly at the opening.  Was there second part to your reply that got cut off?

DaVinci 1.0A with Repetier .92
Simplify 3D
E3DV6

6 Reply by fetasigma

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Re: External filament reel un-ravelling when printing

just a sppol right in front of it feeding from underneath the spool not off the top...seemed to make it work....but my machine is dead at the moment...lol