Model originally uploaded to Thingiverse at https://www.thingiverse.com/thing:6003353.
DOUBLE SPOOL HOLDER FOR ENDER 3 SERIES (PRINT-IN-PLACE)
If you often change filament, especially in the middle of a print (i.e., color change), you need to take out the existing filament spool and replace it with another, which is usually time-consuming and annoying.
So you need another spool holder ready to serve your printer with another spool of filament.
In this respect, I designed a counter spool holder to the original top spool holder of Ender 3 series, using the twist lock end of the original holder as the counterpart of the second spool holder (instead of the original plastic cap). In between, you use the original metal bracket as the carrier.
You can either use the original spool holder as the first holder or the one I have additionally designed similar to the second holder (again P-I-P).
The spool holder(s) I designed have the following facilities:
- Print-in-place
- No support needed
- Roller function against friction (spinning).
- Protection cap(s) against falling of the spool(s).
- Using the original metal bracket in between the holders as the carrier.
In addition, I have designed an optional filament guide that guides the filament-in-use to the extruder and also keeps the end of the other filament secure and ready to use when needed.
Finally, I would highly recommend you to use the automatic filament change gcodes which I have recently (after this project) published at https://www.thingiverse.com/thing:6017956. And watch the related videos on Youtube:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pQ0cZq7aNbU https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FgKO03NPouU&t=16s https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UedAFRHJEBo&t=91s
PRINT SETTINGS:
The Holders:
- Infill: >=20% (infill of the axe part of the spool holders is recommended to be higher, like 50%. You can manage using “per model settings” in CURA).
- Layer Height: 0.28mm works fine for fast printing. 0.2mm would be better but takes time.
- No support.
- No Build Plate Adhesion
The Filament Guide: Same as above except for Support. A small support is needed for the plug side of the guide. Also, like the holder, infill of the plug part of the guide is recommended to be higher, like 50%.
Protection Cap(s): Same as above. No support.
POST PROCESSING: Lubricate the axes of the holders with dry soap before first use. Just rub a dry soap to the edges of the holder and the soap particles will fall down in between the axis and the spinning wheel. Spin the wheels several times to diffuse the soap particles to reduce friction during use.
MOUNTING HOLDERS: Mounting holders could be a little bit challenging. You should make both holders meet in the middle through the hole of the bracket. Keep the axes still and straight, twist them to each other until they are locked. Use coins (there are places at the back of each holder) to hold the axes straight and twist them to each other.
OTHER: I would also advise you to use a rolling filament guide mounted on the extruder side. You can find a lot of these guides on Thingiverse.