Project repository: https://github.com/FarK/winder

Wool Winder

This project consist in a series of 3D printed pieces for assembly a wool
winder. It is based on a couple of existing project and comercial products
[1][2][3].

All the pieces was design for an easy print. No support is needed.

All was design in OpenScad[4] and there is a lot of customizable parameters,
like the gears size and angle, the bearing and threading rod radius, the screw
holes radius, etc. You can find all these parameters at the header of the
winder.scad.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sXUekIx7C48

Generation

The easiest way for generate all the pieces is use the provided makefile. After
launching the make command, you should find all *.stl inside a folder
named stl/. There is an "special" all.stl which contains all the pieces
spread in a plane. There is another make target, make images, for generate a
folder with two images of each piece, one normal preview render and another
cross-section render.

You can also open winder.scad with OpenScad, go to the end of the file,
select the assembly module you want to generate (the ones in capitals:
BIG_GEAR(), CRANK(), POLE(), etc), or generate the WINDER_SPREAD()
module, which contains all the pieces. When use this method, do not forget
hit the render button before exporting the *.stl in order to get a full
resolution model.

Guide threaded rod length

The length of the threaded rod for the thread guide is calculated, based on the
configured parameters, for put the guide at the same height of the turning
center of the spindle.

You can find this length using the following command: make guide_length, or
printed in the command window of OpenScad.

BOM

The only not printed pieces you need for assembly are:

• threaded rod: 1m should be more than enough
• nuts: 7
• bearings: 5

You can choose the dimensions you want (ie. bearing diameter and rod metric)
and adjust them in the configuration parameters at the top of winder.scad.

Assembly

The assembly is quite straightforward. If you take a look to the cross-section
model into OpenScad (the WINDER_SPREAD() module) and see the sample video, you
should have no problem building it yourself. If you note the nuts unscrews with
the vibration, you could use self-locking nuts or apply a bit of nail
polish to the screw.

TODO

• Add a counterweight
• Support timing belt based transmission
• Support double bearing shaft for the crank

License

This project is licensed under the
GNU GPL 3.0 license

This project also use a slightly modified library made by GregFrost and
named Parametric Involute Bevel and Spur Gears for generating the bebel
gears. This library is licensed under
GNU LGPL 2.1,
you can find a copy of this license in LICENSE.gears.txt. You could find the
original file here: http://www.thingiverse.com/thing:3575

References

• [1]: Homemade wool winder: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nJKxa9mhLuI&t=685s
• [2]: 3D printed wool winder: https://www.thingiverse.com/thing:13816
• [3]: Comercial wool winder: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wf7lT6OYEQ0&t=69s