1 Topic by jlauzon

  • jlauzon
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  • Registered: 2014-04-03
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Topic: Spools uncoiling

So I feel like I should have this figured out after a year and a half, but here I am asking.  We are all aware of the desire of our freshly extruded filament to wildly uncoil from the spool.  It drives me nuts when I'm printing and it springs all over and gets caught on the holder leading to a knot and failure.  I've read about "relaxing" the spools (I use only ABS) in the oven, but the problem for me is my spools are printed from abs.  If I relax the filament my spool does the same.  Is there a temperature that would relax the abs but not deform the spools?  I typically use 170F for drying....  Other than that, any solutions you guys are using short of replacing with metal or wooden spools?  I guess I have enough woodworking equipment that I could do some lightweight plywood ones, but I'd rather not right now.  Thanks in advance.

2 Reply by elmoret

  • elmoret
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Re: Spools uncoiling

I just tend to not fill the spools as much, or put in something that ensures a bit of drag like a sponge based filament cleaner and/or a cloth knotted around the spool holder to add drag. I then moved to mounting the spool about 3 feet above the printer, the long vertical distance seems to take up any slack generated by the print head moving around. I sometimes run 2 strips of packing tape, one on each side of the spool from spindle to the bar above, which ensures the coils can't slip off but is a bit annoying for changing spools.

I think I've read about relaxing the ABS with a hairdryer/heat gun. I would guess ~75C would be enough to relax the ABS, but not melt an ABS spool.

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3 Reply by jlauzon

  • jlauzon
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Re: Spools uncoiling

I like the sponge idea.  I use it in a binder clip with sponge for tension on my filawinder (rather than the loops of tubing).  I'll grab some at the dollar store tonight.  I've used duct tape and other methods to create friction, but its always been inconsistent.

I found these late last night and may give them a try as well:
https://www.thingiverse.com/thing:737155
http://www.thingiverse.com/thing:737197

I picked up a lab incubator/oven awhile ago at a surplus sale that should give me nice even/constant temps.  I'll throw in a sacrificial ABS item at 75C and see what happens.

4 Reply by os3dp

  • os3dp
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  • Registered: 2014-07-26
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Re: Spools uncoiling

jlauzon wrote:

I use it in a binder clip with sponge for tension on my filawinder (rather than the loops of tubing).

In my experience the loop on the FilaWinder helps in making the Spool not unwind as much.

-os3dp

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