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Filament Roller – 3D printable model from Thingiverse Thingiverse

Filament Roller

by fishlet
233 Downloads
166 Likes
3 Makes
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Filament Roller Bearing
==================

Here is a novel method for reducing the friction of rotation of the filament spool on 3D printers. It's essentially a wide linear bearing with an inner shell, outer shell separated by arrays of captive needle bearings on each end. The printed object is entirely print-in-place and no other parts are needed, apart from lubrication. On my Ender-3 this prints in ~8 hours with only ~50g PLA.

See my demonstration video in the link below.

Some benefits of reducing the friction are:
* less chance of delicate filaments snapping
* less wear on the filament ingress guide hole
* more force available to push filament
* less crimping of the filament by the gear teeth

I can hardly imagine using the printer without the roller anymore.

(Updated Jan 27, 2020 to add V4)

I've included the STL and source files for two versions of the roller:
* V2 (FreeCAD), suitable for filament spools with inner diameter minimum 55mm
* V3 (FreeCAD), handles spools with smal
Source
Thingiverse
What you need to print this: Beginner Low confidence
Why?
print-in-place design
Print-in-place Hardware needed
Supports 1/3
Assembly 0/3
Settings 1/3
Bed size 0/3
Post-process 1/3
Printer
FDM / FFF
File format
STL
Material
PLA
Est. print time
8 h
Post-processing
Hardware
Software
Cura, PrusaSlicer, or similar
Same designer, more platforms

fishlet also publishes on

8 additional models across 1 more platforms

Verified by matching model titles across platforms.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does Filament Roller need supports when printing?
Nope — Filament Roller is print-in-place, so it comes off the bed ready to use. No supports, no assembly.
How long does it take to print Filament Roller?
According to the design notes, Filament Roller takes approximately 8 hours to print at standard settings (0.2 mm layer height, 15% infill). Actual print time varies based on your printer speed, layer height, and infill density.
What file format is Filament Roller available in?
Filament Roller is available in STL format. These files can be opened and sliced using free software such as Cura, PrusaSlicer, Bambu Studio, or OrcaSlicer for FDM printing, or ChiTuBox and Lychee Slicer for resin printing. The download is provided through Thingiverse.
Is Filament Roller free to download?
Yes, Filament Roller is available as a free download through Thingiverse. Always check the license on the original platform to understand commercial use, remixing, and attribution requirements.
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