Universal Cardboard Spool Adapter by RC3D

PRINT PROFILES:

These are the print profiles that I've tested and can confirm to work well. Any profiles not listed below are not tested by me, and I cannot confirm whether or not they will work well. I recommend the Spool Adapter - w Slots. This one has the latest features and works the best of the three in my opinion.

• Spool Adapter - 200mm (Use at your own risk. This was requested, but I'm not 100% sure how well it will perform over time. Once I've had some time with it I will update this.)
• Spool Adapter - w Slots

SUMMARY:

This spool adapter was designed to hold the cardboard spools and provide several features that assist in the ease of operation when using cardboard spools in the AMS. Here are the issues it's designed to address:

1. When the walls of a cardboard spool become bent or deformed, they don't ride in the guides properly and end up causing issues in the AMS. This provides solid, sturdy walls that don't bend or deform.
2. The lip of the spool adapter is designed to provide a large enough surface contact against the rollers that it maintains traction. This isn't meant to snap onto the edge of the spool, but rather act as its' own spool end. The cardboard may be smaller in diameter, and this should still work great.
3. If you have issues due to spool weight, this has a core with a lid that can be used for desiccant or weights of some sort.
4. Recently I've discovered that this also works on some plastic spools such as esun which often have feed issues in the AMS. Based on feedback, this completely solved the issue for several people.

To use the spool, simply drop your spool onto the spindle half. Screw the nut half onto the spindle and ensure your width will work in the AMS guides. Finally, screw on the locking nut to secure the end in place. To use desiccant or weights, simply drop them into the reservoir and screw on the cap.

This has been confirmed to work with Overture, Polymaker, Elegoo, and a few other brands I'm not familiar with. With overture, you may have to crank down on the nut half to get the width right. For storing, I simply place the end in the cardboard hole and the sides hold it in place.

CHANGELOG:

UPDATE (10/25/23):

I've added a second print profile. It will have “Thin” in the description notes or whatever. I'm adding this because some people are having issues with the width when using overture spools. I've seen several that were successfully installed, but for those that are having trouble, this one should be just a touch more narrow and may be what you're looking for.

UPDATE (11/3/23):

I'm adding another print profile for a spool with a smaller overall diameter. I've reduced it by a little over 1mm, which based on the feedback I've gotten, should solve the issue of the spool being too large overall for the new AMS version. If you have this issue with the other spools, give this a shot and let me know what you think.

UPDATE (12/15/23):

I added (2) new print profiles with an updated version of the spool adapter. I'm going to leave the other profiles up for now, but once I'm happy with the updates I'll be removing the other print profiles. The files will still be available in the raw files section, but I prefer having fewer print profiles.

The spools was updated with little overhangs around the rim of the spool. I had a few spools where the cardboard would swell or deform, pulling away from the plastic sidewall. I added these little overhangs to help hold onto the sidewall and prevent it from pulling away. When it pulls away from the plastic, it creates rubs the side of the AMS guides and causes additional friction or snags the spool altogether. When I installed Polymaker into these, the overhangs just barely fit over the edges and held it in pretty well. If the spool has thick sidewalls, you'll have to push down on the sidewalls where the overhangs are at. I used a flathead screwdriver to shove the cardboard under the overhang.

I also added some text, a Bambu logo, and RC3D. The colored version actually doesn't take much longer than the uncolored version, so don't be afraid to run that AMS now that cardboard is no longer an issue.

UPDATE (1/9/23):

Removed the Bambu reference and logo. Removed the small finger that were meant to hold the cardboard in place. Based on feedback, those weren't as well received, so I did away with them. If you'd like the model with the little nubby things, let me know.