Spool holder/winder with traversing mechanism - UP TO 2.3kg

Here is an F3D file for my spooler. It consists of the main spool holder and a traversing mechanism. These parts were originally made for a filament extruder, but can be used to wind filament from one spool to another, so I decided to share it here for free.

The spool holder is suspended vertically on a set of aluminium L sections (20x20x2.5, 90mm length). One of the sides supports a NEMA 17 stepper motor to drive the spool with a set of herringbone gears in a 3:1 reduction. Two cones thread onto an M10 threaded rod which apply pressure to the spool's bore. By setting the pressure in between the spool, it can be made to slip when the filament gets too much under tension.

The traversing mechanism consists of a self reversing screw driven by the spool motor via a GT2 belt. The nut for the traversing mechanism uses 3 4mm ball bearings to follow the screw's flights, and change direction when the nut reaches the end of the screw. An M5 grub screw should be used to keep the ball cage and the nut casing together. On the nut casing, a hole is present for a piece of 4mm PTFE tube to be press fit.

A large GT2 pulley fits onto the spool, and a smaller pulley is integrated with the self reversing screw. The large GT2 pulley needs to be remixed in order to get it to mount on your spool, or simply superglue/hot glue it in place.

Four 608 bearings make both assemblies spin between centres. All parts were made to be printed without supports given that your printer has good cooling capability. Tune the model to determine the fitment of your parts (light interference fit for the L section slots, sliding/loose fit between the nut and the screw), or calibrate your printer well. M5 bolts and captive nuts hold the aluminium parts in place.

MODEL IS INCOMPLETE. Certain details like the spring in between, fasteners etc are not included, hence why its free. Please do that yourself as you need to source parts depending on what available in your region.

DO NOT SELL/USE COMMERCIALLY. Many hours were spent designing this. Use/modify it for yourself however you like, just don't be a jerk.

Happy printing!

Patrick Prints PLA Sunset Orange
3 walls
3-4 top and bottom
5-15% infill
Layer height of 0.1mm for self reversing screw, 0.2mm for everything else
No supports necessary if you have good cooling
Adjust models or calibrate your printer to achieve good fitments