Topology Optimized Filament Spool Holder for 3D Printing Nerd Design Challenge

myminifactory

How's it going! This is my entry for the first ever 3D Printing Nerd Design Challenge. Basically, the challenge was to design a filament spool holder to be used with the custom filament shelves created by Joel on the YouTube Channel. This design was modeled and analyzed all in Solidworks 2018.  My entry is a very simple, single piece model that is meant to easily slide onto the shelving units that Joel made. It is designed to support up to a 5kg spool of filament without showing signs of bending. NOTE: Not all 5kg Spools are created equal. Only spools with an inside hole diameter close to that of a 1kg spool will work. Just note that this was meant to fit the majority of 1kg spool as that is like 99% of what people use so please keep that in mind.  My entry is unique from other designs beause instead of putting alot of effort into the features that this design will have, like being able to fold up, or something of that nature, that effort has been spent in the modeling and anlaysis of the design. The features of the design have been created to minimize stress hotspots when a force to applied form the top. In addition, a Topology Optimization Analysis has been applied to drastically minimize the overall material used in the print, while maintaining a structurally sound design.  If you are curious on how I did this, I've included a very brief design report going over the basics of the design process that I took.  A note on the looks of the design. In my opimion, I don't think this design is very good looking. However, I decided to keep this look as the odd nature of the features of the part remind me that this design, although kinda ugly, is fully optimized to a certain exstent and that it showcases the kinda impact this type of analysis can have. In addition, I think that it awesome that engineers can do this kinda of stuff and makes me glad that I am one, which is a very important reason :)  I hope you like what I've created! Cheers!