PrintDry Filament Feed System

thingiverse

Update: I have remixed this into a new version which has some improvements. See it here https://www.thingiverse.com/thing:2899347 PrintDry recently completed a kickstarter to begin production of a container to hold a single spool of filament and keep it dry. They work pretty well. The containers, unfortunately have no way of feeding filament out, so you have to remove the filament for printing, exposing it to moisture. This is especially problematic with polycarbonate and nylon filaments. This thing is a filament spindle and feedthru to retrofit the PrintDry containers for filament feeding. This way you don't ever have to open up the container and expose the filament to moisture. The spool holder uses a regular 608 skate bearing (8mmx22mmx7mm). Drill a 4mm hole in the center of the bottom of the PrintDry container. A 4x20mm button head bolt acts as the spindle. The hardware from the bottom is thus: 4mm bolt--printdry--printed bushing--bearing--printed spindle--washer--nut--nut Tighten the double nuts against each other to prevent them from unscrewing themselves. To assemble the filament guide, position, drill holes and mount with the m3 hardware that secures it. Then use a 4mm drill to drill thru the filament guides and PrintDry container. Fit a length of bowden tube in there for reduced friction. It should press fit. The filament guides are coped to the diameter of the PrintDry contanier and are best printed with a brim and the horns facing upwards. The central bolt head might stick out a bit from the bottom of the container and may cause the PrintDry to wobble if placed on a table. It doesn't happen for me with a M4 button head bolt. If it does, you can print the optional bottom base which provides a space for the bolt. ~~Taulman Nylon spools have a much smaller ID. I haven't used Taulman, so don't have a need, but if you leave a comment requesting it, I'll see what I can do.~~Update: Taulman now uses normal spool profiles.