Auto-Rewinder for Ultimate Filament Drybox
Description
PDFThis Auto-Rewinder for Ultimate Filament Drybox combines modified versions of parts from several filament spool auto-rewinder models to provide automatic filament spool rewinding in @GunplaMark's outstanding The Ultimate Cereal Container Filament Drybox to eliminate problems with tangled filament due to MMU retraction of filament during filament changes - without requiring an MMU buffer! If you add desiccant beads to the container, it also keeps your filament dry.
This design supports 1kg filament spools that are up to 68mm (~2.68") wide with a diameter up to about 204mm (~8.03") and a center hole diameter of at least 50mm (~1.97"). Most 1kg filament spools should work as long as they are within these size constraints. The size of the cereal container is the main reason some spools will not fit; if the spool touches the sides, the top, or the bottom of the cereal container, then the Auto-Rewinder will have trouble operating as intended.
1kg spools of Prusament PETG and PLA, Bambu Lab PETG and PLA, Sunlu PETG, FilaCube PLA, Yxpolyer Nylon (PA), and several other filament brands/types are known to work well.
Prusament ASA and PC Blend spools are a bit too wide for free rotation in the cereal containers.
You probably shouldn't use this or any other Auto-Rewinder with TPU (Flex) filament, since it usually won't push back onto the spool in the drybox - just be sure to omit the PTFE tube from the drybox if using an MMU with TPU; the pushed-back TPU filament should curl up outside the drybox. Using an MMU and an Auto-Rewinder with TPU will probably end with the filament pulling right out of the MMU and completely winding back onto the spool when the filament is unloaded from the hotend! If you do want to use an Auto-Rewinder with TPU spools for uniformity, then I recommend that you disable the rewind feature by leaving out the piece of the spring that has the gears; this will allow smooth rotation without rewinding the spool!
Please let us all know in the comments if you find other filament brands/types that do or don't work well with the Auto-Rewinder for Ultimate Filament Drybox!
Except for optional TPU (Flex) Drum Sleeves, all of these parts are intended to be printed in PETG, though PLA should work as well. Note that you'll have to use higher temperature filament types (such as ASA) if you plan on attaching your drybox to an active dryer such as the Polymaker PolyDryer!
Besides a cereal container, a bowden coupler, and a 3D-printed coupler cap from @GunplaMark's The Ultimate Cereal Container Filament Drybox, a complete Auto-Rewinder for Ultimate Filament Drybox requires two 608RS bearings and the following 3D-printed parts:
1 - Drum Assembly - consists of a Drum and a Drum Cap - if you wish to make changes to these parts, then you'll find the remixed design file in my Auto-Rewinder Remix due to licensing differences.
2 - Spring Assembly - consists of a 7-part 3D-printed Spring - if you wish to make changes to these parts, then you'll find the remixed design file in my Auto-Rewinder Remix due to licensing differences.
3a - Saddle - two (identical and interchangeable) saddles - remix of @DanVystrcil_1418479's Center Roller for the Ultimate Cereal Container Filament Drybox For Rewinder where a cutout has been added (subtracted?) from the Saddle's cradle to guide the Axle Assembly - this is one of two Saddle variants provided; this version can be used with @GunplaMark's version of the Base or with the Base that's included with this design. Use whichever Saddle version works best for any given filament brand to keep the spool from touching the top and bottom of the drybox.
3b - Short Saddle - two (identical and interchangeable) short saddles (~7mm shorter than standard Saddle) - remix of @DanVystrcil_1418479's Center Roller for the Ultimate Cereal Container Filament Drybox For Rewinder where a cutout has been added (subtracted?) from the Short Saddle's cradle to guide the Axle Assembly - this is one of two Saddle variants provided; this version should only be used with the Base that's included with this design. Use whichever Saddle version works best for any given filament brand to keep the spool from touching the top and bottom of the drybox.
4 - Axle Assembly - consists of an Axle and two (identical and interchangeable) Axle Flanges - to provide a robust click-to-connect axle assembly.
5 - Base - optional (but recommended) - remix of @GunplaMark's The Ultimate Cereal Container Filament Drybox Base where the center crossbar has been lowered to accommodate larger filament spools; note that the Base Covers from Mark's design are not supported with this Base; I recommend placing two zipper pouches filled with desiccant beads on the bottom of the container to manage humidity in the container (one zipper pouch option is listed in the links below).
6 - TPU Drum Sleeves - optional - a TPU (Flex) sleeve may be used to provide more grip on plastic filament spools. When used properly, a spool with a drum sleeve should be centered on the Drum and be able to wind the Spring on the Drum but still allow slippage when the Spring has been wound more than a few full turns. Please refer to the attached photos for proper usage. Two versions are provided: The "rewinderUltimateDryboxDrumSleeve58to66TPU-7c" version is designed for spools such as Sunlu and FilaCube with a center hole diameter between 58mm (~2.28") and 66mm (~2.60") and a maximum spool thickness of 62mm (~2.44"). This sleeve is pushed into a filament spool's center hole before being snapped onto the Drum. The "rewinderUltimateDryboxDrumSleeve51plusTPU-7c" version is designed for spools such as Prusament and yxployer with a center hole diameter of 51mm (~2.01") or more and a maximum spool thickness of 62mm (~2.44"). This sleeve is a general purpose sleeve that remains on the Drum at all times. The first sleeve version remains on the filament spool and holds the spool precisely in position, but it's limited to specific center hole diameters. The second sleeve version remains on the Drum and allows more movement of the spool from side to side - which is ok since the Saddle keeps the spool from shifting too far to the side, but it works with almost any filament spool. I use both versions; use one or both as you see fit.
The non-3D-printed parts that I used are:
608 RS Bearings - two required - https://www.amazon.com/dp/B09PKD8QZZ - pressed into each end of the Drum Assembly
Desiccant Zipper Bags - optional - https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0DBVDD2MV - filled with desiccant beads and placed in Base on bottom of drybox
Desiccant Beads - optional but recommended - https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01I5Y2DG6 - placed in Desiccant Bags or other suitable container
You can use the parts linked above or any equivalent parts.
The following photo shows all parts included with this Auto-Rewinder for Ultimate Filament Drybox (except for optional Short Saddle and optional Sleeves):
The following photo shows two versions of the Auto-Rewinder for Ultimate Filament Drybox with each of the optional TPU Sleeve types in use with an MMU:
The following video shows the Auto-Rewinder for Ultimate Filament Drybox rewinding filament as it's unloaded from the MMU:
The following video shows the Auto-Rewinder in operation. The important thing is that the spool must slip when the spring is wound the full 4 or so turns - since there is no internal clutch. The video begins with the spring already fully wound and the spool slipping (as intended) on the drum. At the end, the spool rewinds as the filament is retracted from the MMU:
To allow modifications, I have provided STEP (.stp) files for most parts; in some cases where the STEP file is huge, I have provided an STL (.stl) file instead.
PrusaSlicer 3MF files have been provided for PETG for ALL parts as well as for the individual parts and assemblies - except for the optional TPU Drum Sleeves - which must be printed in a flexible filament type such as TPU (Flex). MMU 3MF files have been provided for the Drum Assembly and the Spring to allow automatic color changes, however you can change colors manually or not at all - as you desire.
G-code files have been provided for the Original Prusa MK4 for PETG (TPU for the optional TPU Drum Sleeves - which must be printed in a flexible filament type).
The Drum Assemblies seen in the photos were printed with Sunlu White and Orange or Gray PETG with a 0.4mm nozzle at 0.2mm layer height with a 10% gyroid infill. Supports are not needed.
The Spring Assemblies seen in the photos were printed with Sunlu White and Orange or Gray PETG with a 0.4mm nozzle at 0.2mm layer height with a 10% gyroid infill. Supports are not needed.
The Saddles seen in the photos were printed with Sunlu Orange PETG with a 0.4mm nozzle at 0.2mm layer height with a 15% gyroid infill. Supports are not needed.
The Short Saddles seen in the photos were printed with Sunlu Gray PETG with a 0.4mm nozzle at 0.2mm layer height with a 15% gyroid infill. Supports are not needed.
The Axle Assemblies seen in the photos were printed with Sunlu Orange PETG with a 0.4mm nozzle at 0.2mm layer height with a 15% gyroid infill. Supports are not needed.
The Bases seen in the photos were printed with Sunlu Gray PETG with a 0.4mm nozzle at 0.2mm layer height with a 15% gyroid infill. Supports are not needed.
The TPU Drum Sleeves seen in the photos were printed with Giantarm (95A) TPU with a 0.4mm nozzle at 0.2mm layer height with a 10% gyroid infill. Supports are not needed.
Be sure to check out my other designs - including universal key covers and a diverse collection of household accessories and 3D printing tools - on Printables at https://www.printables.com/@PhilCaruso/models
Tags
Model origin
The author remixed this model.
Differences of the remix compared to the original
Modified the Base from @GunplaMark's The Ultimate Cereal Container Filament Drybox, the Saddle and Short Saddle from @DanVystrcil_1418479's Center Roller for the Ultimate Cereal Container Filament Drybox For Rewinder, and the Axle Assembly from @ManelTo's Spool Auto-Rewinder For PolyDryer to provide automatic filament spool rewinding in @GunplaMark's The Ultimate Cereal Container Filament Drybox.