Quick Change Sample Spool Holder

This is a “Quick Change” sample spool holder, designed to hold Alien3d samples that are approximately 150mm in diameter, and about 20M in length. You can buy Alien3d samples here, which come in the Monthly UFO box: https://www.alien3d.us/product-category/ufo-box/

This spool holder is held together with 4 neodymium magnets. This will keep the spool holder together while you are printing, and it makes it super easy to change filament. Simply pull it apart and swap your sample roll.

You will need to get some small Neodymium disc magnets. PLEASE USE CAUTION! They can easily break and keep away from children (you don’t want them swallowing them).

I designed the spool holder to work with 10mm x 1.5mm magnets. However, it is easy to adapt to other magnet sizes (eg. 10mm x 2mm, or 12mm x 2mm, etc.) by simply changing the variable in the code to the appropriate depth.

https://www.banggood.com/100pcs-N50-Strong-Cylinder-Disc-Magnets-Rare-Earth-Neodymium-10x1_5mm-p-963833.html?rmmds=search&cur_warehouse=CN

Directions:

1. Print two spool holders.
2. Measure your magnets. If they are different than ~10mm x 1.5mm use the customizer, or OpenSCAD (free download) and edit the variables. I recommend adding about .1 mm to both the diameter and magnet height for tolerance.
3. Place magnets in the both spool holders carefully, you will need 8 of them (4 for each spool). Make sure that you are setting them in so they will attract and not repel. For example, the magnets in the first spool holder should be face down, magnets in the other spool holder should be face up.
4. Fill the area under and around the magnet with super glue (CA glue) or Epoxy. Let it sit and dry for at least 30 minutes.
5. That’s it! Now you should be able to test the fit of the spools and hear a satisfying click when you put them together.
6. Go subscribe to Alien3d if you haven’t already! http://alien3d.us They have a great monthly box that includes several 20M rolls of sample filament.