Does anyone know how to easily transfer a 5lb abs filament roll to a reel? I remember seeing once a picture on the Lulzbot server of Lulzbot’s setup of using a cordless drill to power the orange reel to transfer the filament from a stand they made. I see they have a folder with the stl files, but I can’t remember how the setup looked like. I use the same reel pictured below, but can’t remember how to get the filament transferred quickly.
You can print a “key” that fits in the center hole of the orange spindle to roll it up that way, but I find it never comes off the 5lb roll right anyways so I just roll them on by hand. less broken filliament that way.
What holds the 5lb coil while you do this?
The floor, in theory. that or someone else. or a chair with a pointy thing taped to it. possibly a well trained pigmy goat.
We basically have an AO-100 filament holder(thicker parts than the 101) attached so that it lines up with the orange reel, then using a drill with the key mentioned earlier with one hand and the other to guides the filament so it spools evenly(wearing a deerskin work glove!). Usually takes about 5 minutes to spool each one.
This was done quite awhile ago, so the files are in an old location:
Photos:
http://www.alephobjects.com/photos/plastic/spool_system/
STLs:
http://www.alephobjects.com/hardware/spooling_station/
-Jeff
A guide on setting this up can be found here: https://www.lulzbot.com/support/3d-printer-plastic-filament-spooling-station
My pigmy goes home for the holidays and does not get back until mid January. Plus I try not to involve him, he eats all my filament.
Thanks Orias and Jebba, those were exactly the photos I was looking for. I learned the hard way to remove that hook at the center of the orange reel. At the end of a print, one of the loops of filament got stuck underneath it and the hobbled bolt was slowly pulling the entire orange reel up the side of the printer. Luckily nothing got broken.
During my first attempt earlier this month of transferring ABS to the orange reel I only got about 25% of it transferred before the unreeled part started to get too tangled. Some of the abs came in contact with the floor and couches, etc. I noticed some small pieces of hair and dust stuck to it. So I put this small felt punching around the filament to wipe it as it goes into the printer. I was surprised how much it cleaned off, and it was only 25% of the full roll. I am also guessing not all that dirt was from me. I am curious what a new roll looks like that has not come in contact with much. If any of you have a piano technician, the small felt piece is called a “felt front rail punching.” They sometimes have some extra on hand, they come in different colors, though I would go for the white ones so you can see how much dirt it removes.
What other hardware is needed? Bearings?