First thoughts on Filamentalist auto-rewinder
 
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FoxRun3D
(@foxrun3d)
Illustrious Member
First thoughts on Filamentalist auto-rewinder

As I mentioned in a different thread, I took the bait and built some Filamentalist rewinders. 

TL;DR: First rewinder that actually works reliably for me.

Over the years my experience with multi-material units has been disappointing. The MMU2 was a hot mess, and the Mosaic Palette arguably even worse. So when the MMU3 came along, I ordered it with much trepidation and little hope. Yet so far, it's been working flawlessly. (I should say that I also have an XL-5TH, which I use for true multi-material printing; the MMU3 is mostly used for multiple colors). The main downside (for me) is the buffer system. It's one of many printers in my workshop, and I just don't have the space to set up the original buffer as suggested by Prusa. Plus, it's a pain to load (and yes, I understand that folks have come up with improved loading options).

So I looked into various auto-rewinders, including Groenhuis's https://www.thingiverse.com/thing:3338467 , Jerrari's https://www.printables.com/model/292276 , and Broomé's https://www.printables.com/model/961047 , and spent way too much money, filament, and time on it.

I want to be very clear–if those systems didn't work for me, it's probably my fault. Plenty of people have written good things about them, so they're clearly not "broken". In fact, in each case I was very impressed with the ingenuity of the designers. In my hands though, I had too many reliability issues to put them in production.

For all of those designs, to make sure I didn't have printer-to-printer variability, I printed them on one machine, with the same gcode, and the same filament. Printed parts always looked excellent. I usually ended up with one or two units that worked fine, and three or four that didn't. Most of the time I saw binding during the rewind at some point. Cleaned parts again, used super lube, etc., but I never got to the point that I had confidence in any of those systems. To reiterate, given that others have been able to use these systems successfully I suspect "it's me, not you", but I just don't have time nor inclination to work out issues with solutions that have limited tolerance to inevitable variations in FDM printing. My solution eventually was to just not use a buffer at all, and I actually never experienced any issues.

So when I saw the post about the Filamentalist, like the MMU3, I went into it with much trepidation. But, hey, I'm a sucker for pain, so I printed the parts from https://github.com/Enraged-Rabbit-Community/ERCF_v2/tree/master/Recommended_Options/Filamentalist_Rewinder and ordered the hardware as a kit from TriangleLab https://trianglelab.net/products/filamentalist-passive-rewinder-full-kit?VariantsId=11834

The plastic parts printed easily. I followed the recommendations to use ASA, 40% cubic infill, and 4 perimeters. I suspect they will print just fine with PETG and less infill.

The Trianglelab hardware kit was excellent. All parts (and some extras). Not cheap but I didn't want to introduce another complication by buying hardware piecemeal that then didn't work together. 

The documentation on the GitHub site was excellent, with nice pictures, but a couple of (obvious) steps were missing in the assembly instructions. Assembly is very straightforward, and once you've built the first, the next ones are easy to do without referring to the instructions. 

There are a few variations, including a rear load option, which is the one I chose. I also designed and printed a base to put the Filamentalist units on my RepRack. So with the rear load option, the PTFE tubes run down along the workshop wall into the backside of the Mk4S LACK enclosure to the MMU3 (until—heaven forbid—they ship the Core ONE upgrade kit and the Core ONE MMU3). Rear-load really means the PTFE tube is routed to the rear, but it actually loads the filament from the front, which makes it IMHO much easier to feed the filament than with the standard option. Plus, the tensioner screw is easily accessible from the front.

Every unit I printed worked right away, with zero fuss. I think the "secret" is the one-way bearing, a machined part that just works, unlike 3d printed clutches and similar solutions.

I've only had a week or so of use but so far it's been flawless. Sure it's early days, maybe I'll run into issues later, but so far I'm pretty giddy about it, and as others have asked me to post my experiences with the Filamentalist, I thought I should share this "early look".

Formerly known on this forum as @fuchsr -- https://foxrun3d.com/

Posted : 29/04/2025 9:46 pm
9 people liked
jon
 jon
(@jon-18)
Eminent Member
RE:

Hello.

The only issues you will have on the future with a lot use are:

- If you use carbon filled filaments and the idler it's not set with proper tension the slip of the filament eventualy wear the o-rings, simply put more tension, when necessary swap sides, when wear (25-30kg), replace. This problem I not noticed on filamentalist spool holders that use with normal filaments

- Wear on filamentalist to MMU unit PTFE tubes that increases drag (above of 50kg of filament used) , on mk3 extruder it's a problem, with nextruder not. You will notice of this when you saw the hole is no longer rounded and looks oval (or your extruder starts to skip steps or clicking on purge line on the mk3)

PS: I TOLD YOU 😎 😎 😎 😎 😎 

Posted : 30/04/2025 8:20 am
1 people liked
kermit
(@kermit-3)
Member
RE: First thoughts on Filamentalist auto-rewinder

Don't you want to share a base for placing Filamentalist units on RepRack?

Posted : 30/04/2025 9:17 am
FoxRun3D
(@foxrun3d)
Illustrious Member
Topic starter answered:
RE: First thoughts on Filamentalist auto-rewinder

I was going to post it but then discovered two existing ones, so I didn't bother, but hey, here goes:

https://www.printables.com/model/1282073-reprack-mount-for-filamentalist-auto-rewinder

 

Formerly known on this forum as @fuchsr -- https://foxrun3d.com/

Posted : 01/05/2025 12:50 pm
vhubbard
(@vhubbard)
Reputable Member
RE: First thoughts on Filamentalist auto-rewinder

"Every unit I printed worked right away, with zero fuss. I think the "secret" is the one-way bearing, a machined part that just works, unlike 3d printed clutches and similar solutions."

I agree with this. I had failures with many "slipper" clutch systems I tried. I couldn't rely on them. I just put together my filamentalist set. The only annoying thing is loading the filament at the start. The filament can find a few ways to miss loading into the tube. Once loaded it works well.

Make sure you can pull the filament easily through the feeder tubes. As with any buffer system any excess drag or tight turns can cause problems. I added rubber feet since mine sit on a flat surface.

Posted : 01/05/2025 2:08 pm
1 people liked
FoxRun3D
(@foxrun3d)
Illustrious Member
Topic starter answered:
RE: First thoughts on Filamentalist auto-rewinder

The only annoying thing is loading the filament at the start.

Actually one reason I'm now using the reverse load option, which for some reason seems to be more reliable, maybe because I can actually see where I stick the filament.

Formerly known on this forum as @fuchsr -- https://foxrun3d.com/

Posted : 01/05/2025 5:45 pm
1 people liked
iftibashir
(@iftibashir)
Noble Member
RE: First thoughts on Filamentalist auto-rewinder

How is this working with lighter spools that are almost empty?

I came across this system that also looks pretty interesting : https://www.printables.com/model/1289230-mmu-box-upgrade-your-prusa-mmu3-user-experience-en

Click here for VIDEO BUILD GUIDES + 3D Printing Tips!

--> Core One - MK4 - MK4S - MINI+ - MMU3 - Accelerometer Guide <--

Posted : 14/05/2025 7:37 am
AnneVanLeyden
(@annevanleyden)
Eminent Member
RE: First thoughts on Filamentalist auto-rewinder

Tbh, it looks a bit overengineered to me.

Posted by: @iftibashir

How is this working with lighter spools that are almost empty?

I came across this system that also looks pretty interesting : https://www.printables.com/model/1289230-mmu-box-upgrade-your-prusa-mmu3-user-experience-en

 

Posted : 19/05/2025 8:13 am
1 people liked
Steve
(@steve-11)
Active Member
RE: First thoughts on Filamentalist auto-rewinder

One the back of FoxRun3D's thoughts I went down the Filamentalist route also and they work great. I'm fortunate that my set up favours the reverse load version as I found that the easier and more consistent loading option.

 

Posted : 21/05/2025 5:56 am
1 people liked
FoxRun3D
(@foxrun3d)
Illustrious Member
Topic starter answered:
RE: First thoughts on Filamentalist auto-rewinder

How is this working with lighter spools that are almost empty?

I didn't mean to ignore the question, I just didn't print enough with that machine to come to the end of a spool. But now I have twice, and no problems.

Formerly known on this forum as @fuchsr -- https://foxrun3d.com/

Posted : 29/05/2025 10:50 pm
1 people liked
jon
 jon
(@jon-18)
Eminent Member
RE: First thoughts on Filamentalist auto-rewinder

Te problem with the filamentalist it's inversed, only have struggle with 2kg spools or super long and tricky ptfe tubes (+1m to the mmu unit with multiple turns that makes friction)

Posted by: @iftibashir

How is this working with lighter spools that are almost empty?

I came across this system that also looks pretty interesting : https://www.printables.com/model/1289230-mmu-box-upgrade-your-prusa-mmu3-user-experience-en

 

Posted : 30/05/2025 6:32 am
Chris Hill
(@chris-hill)
Reputable Member
RE: First thoughts on Filamentalist auto-rewinder

 

Posted by: @foxrun3d

As I mentioned in a different thread, I took the bait and built some Filamentalist rewinders. 

TL;DR: First rewinder that actually works reliably for me.

Thanks for this great write-up.  Now that I have managed to order a longer MMU cable, to allow me to mount the MMU on the top-right frame rail of my CORE One, I think a RepRack+Filamentalist setup like yours is going to work well in my case.  I've ordered the TriangleLab kit and am currently printing the bits to make a suitable RepRack.

I had (have) quite a nice setup for the MMU on my MK4S, with all the spools inside the same Prusa enclosure.  I've been experimenting with a version of Vincent Groenhuis's autorewinder (thanks to his excellent OpenSCAD script) to work with my corner-mounted spoolholders, and even in their unfinished state they're just about reliable enough to allow me to remove the buffer altogether.  It's quite liberating!

I was worried how I was going to achieve a nice setup for the CORE One, and I'm grateful to you for showing the way.

Posted : 09/06/2025 9:26 am
Chris Hill
(@chris-hill)
Reputable Member
RE: First thoughts on Filamentalist auto-rewinder

That should do nicely I think - it'll be a nice short run from the back of the rewinders to the MMU.  Printed with a 0.8mm nozzle, loads of perimeters and infill - it feels really solid.  One more pair of FoxRun3D's bases to go, and then I can think about what colour I want to print the rewinders in.

Posted : 09/06/2025 7:19 pm
Steve
(@steve-11)
Active Member
RE:

What width hardware did you purchase from TriangleLab? I've noticed some Prusament rolls are a bit tight on the 80mm width rollers. I ended up printing two 100mm ones and three 80mm. The only difference between the hardware kits is the length of the rods, and for info they are 5/16" (7.95mm) if you want to source separately. The main roller assembly is a pretty tight tolerance and 8mm rod was a very uncomfortable fit for both the rollers and one way bearing

This post was modified 1 week ago by Steve
Posted : 09/06/2025 7:32 pm
1 people liked
Chris Hill
(@chris-hill)
Reputable Member
RE: First thoughts on Filamentalist auto-rewinder
Posted by: @steve-11

What width hardware did you purchase from TriangleLab? I've noticed some Prusament rolls are a bit tight on the 80mm width rollers. I ended up printing two 100mm ones and three 80mm. The only difference between the hardware kits is the length of the rods, and for info they are 5/16" (7.95mm) if you want to source separately. The main roller assembly is a pretty tight tolerance and 8mm rod was too large for the one way bearing and an uncomfortable fit for the rollers.

Thank you - that's really useful!  I bought an 8-pack of the 80mm hardware.  My reprack has room for just over 6 of the 80mm rewinders, so I'll probably to exactly what you've done - 3x80 + 2x100.  I'll decide what to do with the other three sets of hardware after a bit of use.

If you're UK-based, may I ask where you sourced the 5/16" rods? 

Posted : 09/06/2025 7:39 pm
Chris Hill
(@chris-hill)
Reputable Member
RE: First thoughts on Filamentalist auto-rewinder

Actually, on wondering over to check the current print job (another pair of FoxRun3D's 80mm reprack bases), I realised of course that at least two of the three spare hardware sets should now be for 80mm rewinders, since I'll soon have printed five of the bases!  I'll check the original 100mm bases to see if it's as simple as splicing in 20mm down the centreline of FoxRun3D's 80mm bases.

Posted : 09/06/2025 7:49 pm
Chris Hill
(@chris-hill)
Reputable Member
RE: First thoughts on Filamentalist auto-rewinder

 

Posted by: @chris-hill

I'll check the original 100mm bases to see if it's as simple as splicing in 20mm down the centreline of FoxRun3D's 80mm bases.

It is, so I have.  I'll print off a couple next, before I swap out the 0.8mm nozzle.

 

Posted : 09/06/2025 8:10 pm
Steve
(@steve-11)
Active Member
RE: First thoughts on Filamentalist auto-rewinder

The hardware kit rods are steel but I sourced 5/16 aluminium tube (20swg) in 100mm cut lengths from eBay.

The seller was called ‘aluminium online’ 

Posted : 09/06/2025 8:15 pm
1 people liked
Chris Hill
(@chris-hill)
Reputable Member
RE:
Posted by: @steve-11

The hardware kit rods are steel but I sourced 5/16 aluminium tube (20swg) in 100mm cut lengths from eBay.

The seller was called ‘aluminium online’ 

Found him - that's perfect, thank you.

P.S. I wasn't sure you were from the UK, until I saw that you spell aluminium correctly 🤣 

 

Posted : 09/06/2025 8:18 pm
1 people liked
Chris Hill
(@chris-hill)
Reputable Member
RE: First thoughts on Filamentalist auto-rewinder

It turned out to be quite an undertaking to print all the parts to make up 8 rewinders, which is the number of hardware sets in the TriangleLab kit that I bought.  I've gone for 5x80mm and 3x100mm.

Including a couple of RepRack wall brackets and cleats the whole job used over 2kg of ABS and took over 96 hours of printer time.  But I was able to split it between two, and sometimes three, printers, so it's all done before the hardware kit has arrived.  Everything I've been able to test fit with hardware I have to hand seems to fit really nicely, including the 100mm aluminium spindles (thanks @Steve).

If anyone who's built these can see anything I've forgotten to print, now would be a good time to let me know 🙂

Posted : 12/06/2025 5:13 pm
1 people liked
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