Buffers vs retracting spool holders
Still in the middle of building my MMU as I had to wait for a missing IR cable, but I've already noticed that between the spool holders and buffer that the MMU will take up a lot more table space until I get an enclosure built.
My understanding is that the auto-retracting spool holders originally came about to combat the same issue that the buffer has been added to address. Is this the case and if so do they work as well as (or better) than the supplied buffer? If they really do work, which one is considered the best option?
Given my space limitations not having to deal with the buffer would be ideal, but I don't want to waste a bunch of time printing holders that will do me no good in the end.
RE: Buffers vs retracting spool holders
they work perfectly. dont even mess with the provided spool holders and buffer. bypas the MMU now and start printing the spool holders while you wait.
RE: Buffers vs retracting spool holders
they work perfectly. dont even mess with the provided spool holders and buffer. bypas the MMU now and start printing the spool holders while you wait.
I got the extruder on last night and need to level my bed and calibrate. After that I was going to test my X&Y for ghosting before attaching the MMU, so yeah now would be the time.
Is there a particular spool holder you'd recommend? I'd been looking at https://www.thingiverse.com/thing:3228827
RE: Buffers vs retracting spool holders
I haven't received my MMU2S yet, it's supposed to arrive in two weeks, so I haven't had a chance to test any, but I really like the "Auto-Rewind Spool Holders" on thingiverse. They simply include a spring that turns the spool back rather than storing the filament. There are several versions.
RE: Buffers vs retracting spool holders
Still in the middle of building my MMU as I had to wait for a missing IR cable...
Mine was missing too.
RE: Buffers vs retracting spool holders
they work perfectly. dont even mess with the provided spool holders and buffer. bypas the MMU now and start printing the spool holders while you wait.
I got the extruder on last night and need to level my bed and calibrate. After that I was going to test my X&Y for ghosting before attaching the MMU, so yeah now would be the time.
Is there a particular spool holder you'd recommend? I'd been looking at https://www.thingiverse.com/thing:3228827
Not sure if it is my inexperience with PET-G or it's just not that good, but that buffered holder is not a winner in my book.
The biggest issue is that the port for the filament to leave the spool for the MMU is angled and on the tight side so it is not letting the filament flow smoothly. Additionally, if you don't screw it down to something it is far too light and has too small of a foot print. Even without going through the buffer and with very smooth rolling bearings the MMU can pull it hard enough to pull it over.
RE: Buffers vs retracting spool holders
Hey gnat!
I presented my buffer system at the Maker Fair Vienna this year and even Mikolas from Prusa showed up and interviewed me on my design 😀
The system is airtight (well, almost), super easy to fill and does not add noticeable friction. It printed 2 days without a single problem at the Fair!
There is still some work to do but I'll put it on thingiverse as soon as I've finished. I can't comment on the reverse systems though.
Here is a sneek preview (starting at 3:30):
RE: Buffers vs retracting spool holders
@3dwatsch that looks like a nice little buffer there. Takes far less table space than the Prusa version and looks absolutely simple to load without all the fishing.
I've printed one of the auto reversing holders and it seems to work much better than the buffered holder I tried. I'm printing a second right now, then I'll give the MMU one last chance with the 3S head before I revert that pain in my ... and go to a modified MK3 setup (Butterworth).
RE: Buffers vs retracting spool holders
Hey gnat!
I presented my buffer system at the Maker Fair Vienna this year and even Mikolas from Prusa showed up and interviewed me on my design 😀
The system is airtight (well, almost), super easy to fill and does not add noticeable friction. It printed 2 days without a single problem at the Fair!There is still some work to do but I'll put it on thingiverse as soon as I've finished. I can't comment on the reverse systems though.
Looking forward to it, I need to keep my BVOH out of the open air, and the buffer is all open!
RE: Buffers vs retracting spool holders
I made my own "buffer" solution, easily accessible for filament swapping and troubleshooting during print. It is just free space between PTFE tubes.
On spool side is simple oneway stop to prevent feeding back to spools. Square nut in lever acts as counterweight
RE: Buffers vs retracting spool holders
Heres my version of auto-rewind spool holder. I tried to minimize print time, so you might want to give it a try 🙂
https://www.thingiverse.com/thing:3633095
https://www.prusaprinters.org/prints/2622-auto-rewind-spool-holder-for-mmu
RE: Buffers vs retracting spool holders
I took inspiration from Martin (and Vincent before him) and designed something a bit more compact.
https://www.thingiverse.com/thing:3691892
I've been using these for a couple of weeks now without issue. But, I just put them on thingiverse today, so no one else has provided any feedback. In other words, use at your own risk... : )
RE: Buffers vs retracting spool holders
Greg,
Looks good. Have you tried it in an Ikea Samla dry box? I am hopeful that 3 will fit in the medium sized one.
Robin
I am the inveterate tinkerer. I can tink up most anything.
RE: Buffers vs retracting spool holders
I am printing the base right now to see how well it fits in one of the Rubbermaid containers. I'll know in another three hours.
RE: Buffers vs retracting spool holders
i have not tried the samla box.....what are the interior dimensions of that box at its bottom?
The main square portion of the 65mm spool holder is 109mm on each side. The channel which holds the track extends another 13mm.
It is possible that I could shave off another few mm and still support 65mm spools if it was very close to fitting.
If desired, I could even generate a custom configuration to support narrower spools for you. My model is parametric and will auto generate the parts for any width spool specified.
RE: Buffers vs retracting spool holders
i have not tried the samla box.....what are the interior dimensions of that box at its bottom?
The main square portion of the 65mm spool holder is 109mm on each side. The channel which holds the track extends another 13mm.
It is possible that I could shave off another few mm and still support 65mm spools if it was very close to fitting.
If desired, I could even generate a custom configuration to support narrower spools for you. My model is parametric and will auto generate the parts for any width spool specified.
Yeah, it is pretty big compared to the Rubbermaid 21-cup container. I have attached a picture; the inside of the bottom is about 80mm wide.
RE: Buffers vs retracting spool holders
I tried to edit the post for the size of the bottom, but it was already too late. It is slightly over 90mm, not 80mm. Here is a picture of the customizable_tush_brace.stl from Thingiverse. It fits perfectly in the bottom of the Rubbermaid 21-cup container.
RE: Buffers vs retracting spool holders
I took inspiration from Martin (and Vincent before him) and designed something a bit more compact.
https://www.thingiverse.com/thing:3691892
I've been using these for a couple of weeks now without issue. But, I just put them on thingiverse today, so no one else has provided any feedback. In other words, use at your own risk... : )
Hi,
Looks great! How long does it take to print a complete set of parts?
Thanks
Berthold
--
MK3
RE: Buffers vs retracting spool holders
I took inspiration from Martin (and Vincent before him) and designed something a bit more compact.
https://www.thingiverse.com/thing:3691892
I've been using these for a couple of weeks now without issue. But, I just put them on thingiverse today, so no one else has provided any feedback. In other words, use at your own risk... : )
Hi,
Looks great! How long does it take to print a complete set of parts?
Thanks
Berthold
When I printed just the bottom part, that took about 4 hours. All the other parts combined I think were about 12 so it's under a day to print the whole thing.
RE: Buffers vs retracting spool holders
I took inspiration from Martin (and Vincent before him) and designed something a bit more compact.
https://www.thingiverse.com/thing:3691892
I've been using these for a couple of weeks now without issue. But, I just put them on thingiverse today, so no one else has provided any feedback. In other words, use at your own risk... : )
Hi,
Looks great! How long does it take to print a complete set of parts?
Thanks
Berthold
When I printed just the bottom part, that took about 4 hours. All the other parts combined I think were about 12 so it's under a day to print the whole thing.
Agreed... A stand sliced at 0.3mm takes me a bit over 4 hours to print.
I posted gcodes on the Prusa community site last yesterday. The PrusaSlic3r stats say that printing everything at once (it does all fit on the bed) for 65mm spools in PLA takes 9.07 hours.
I also posted separate gcodes for the stand in PLA (4.85 hours) and mechanical parts in PETG (4.74 hours). I suspect that both of those are 20-30 minutes longer than actual print times based on experience.