Universal Auto-Rewind Spool Holder
Arrives damaged? Free reprint, just film the box being opened. Returns policy
About this print
A spool holder for 3D printer filament that incorporates an auto-rewind mechanism, designed to keep filament taut and wound correctly onto the spool during unloading. The universal design is intended to accommodate a range of common spool sizes. It is particularly useful for printers with multi-material systems where filament must retract cleanly between tool changes. PETG is a suitable choice for this part, as the moving clutch components benefit from a degree of toughness and resistance to wear compared with standard PLA.
From the original design page
Original maker's notes
By VincentGroenhuis on Thingiverse · CC-BY-SA
Filament load/unload issues? MMU2 taking too much space? Not with this Universal Auto-Rewind spool holder! It keeps filament on the spool during unloading, up to four full revolutions. [Video compilation](https://youtu.be/03iUbhrU8xw)
This is a remake of the Original and Parametric Auto-Rewind Spool Holder, but with significant enhancements:
* Slipping point of the clutch can be adjusted in about 15 steps using the dial.
* One size fits almost all spools up to 1kg. Inner diameter 30-75 mm, max outer diameter 200 mm, max width 88 mm. Hubs for wider spools can be created with the customizer, same for hubs with narrow diameters. Stand for 3kg spools available [here](https://www.thingiverse.com/thing:3369189).
* Spring (v1 and v1.01) works both ways around: towards the axle and towards the outer rim. Note: flipping the direction requires re-calibration of the clutch tension!
* Spring v1.02+ and 3.x are direction independent, can be flipped around without changes in clutch tension. These versions might also be better protected against spring overloading.
* If the clutch slips too much then you can put ducttape or electrical tape on the outer rim of the spring, this slows down the slipping action.
Spring should be printed with 0.2 mm layer thickness to match the gaps in the structures (see assembly instructions). All other parts can be printed in any layer thickness, 0.2 mm is default.
GCode for Prusa i3 MK2/S and MK3(S) /MM(S) can be downloaded here: [single color](https://www.prusaprinters.org/prints/171-universal-auto-rewind-spool-holder-single-color) and [multi-material](https://www.prusaprinters.org/prints/168-universal-auto-rewind-spool-holder-mm).
The MM version uses two colors for most parts (three for the stand). First color is the base color (silver grey in shown examples), second color is for decals and markers (vibrant color), third color is for the characters on the stand (white). The parts are designed such that missing layers in the 2nd and 3rd color do not affect the structural strength of all parts, also the number of color changes is kept to a minimum.
Four spring styles are available: SpringFlat is to be used with a 3-D printed axle with flat side. SpringRound (available in zip file) is used with a round axle (e.g. metal rod). SpringRound has an anti-rotation block which aligns with the frame, so it is not needed to immobilize the round axle. Both SpringFlat and SpringRound come in two different stiffnesses. The soft version is recommended to start with and the stiff version can be used when more torque is needed.
The hub thread length can be customized with the [Parametric](https://www.thingiverse.com/thing:3252111) Auto-Rewind Spool Holder customizer. Use output="hub", hubThreaded="yes", set hubThreadLength to the desired length and leave all other parameters at its default settings.
At Robotics and Mechatronics (RaM), University of Twente some research is done on variable stiffness actuators. Certain mechanisms in this Auto-Rewind Spool Holder were (loosely) inspired by our research there. One side of the stand reads "It's Rewind Time" while the other side reads "University of Twente". A stand with no text (blank) is also available.
A list of (mostly) compatible stands are on the [Parametric](https://www.thingiverse.com/thing:3252111) Auto-Rewind Spool Holder page.
Additional stands, mods and alternative auto-rewinding systems developed by the awesome community:
-----------
*Stands*
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Table/wall/ceiling
[AutoRewind Spool Stand Hanging Screw Mount](https://www.thingiverse.com/thing:3474307) (table/wall/ceiling, use SpringRound)
[Screw-down tabletop, wall, and ceiling mounted stands](https://www.thingiverse.com/thing:3227387) (table/wall/ceiling, needs different axle)
[Wall Mount Spool Rewinder Adapter](https://www.thingiverse.com/thing:3619814) (wall)
[Wall mount](https://www.prusaprinters.org/prints/2909-spool-holder-for-auto-rewind-wall-mounted) (wall)
[Strong wall mount](https://www.thingiverse.com/thing:3730967) (wall)
[The MMU2s Prusa Final Filament Rewind Solution](https://www.thingiverse.com/thing:3573804) (wall)
[Numbered filament stands](https://www.thingiverse.com/thing:3383152) (table)
[Multiple Mechanism stand](https://www.thingiverse.com/thing:3713729) (table)
[Ceiling or under shelf hanging mount](https://www.prusaprinters.org/prints/3223-hanging-mount-for-universal-auto-rewind-spool-hold) (ceiling)
[Stand and hub for 3kg spools](https://www.thingiverse.com/thing:3369189) (table)
[Fast print stand](https://www.prusaprinters.org/prints/9205-fast-print-stand-universal-auto-rewind-spool-holde) (table)
[Wall-mount XXL](https://www.thingiverse.com/thing:4001586) (wall)
[Vertical mount](https://www.thingiverse.com/thing:4070709) (wall)
[Spool screw down mount](https://www.thingiverse.com/thing:4173168) (table)
*Hangers*
------
[Autorewind Hanger](https://www.thingiverse.com/thing:3554015)
[Hanging bracket](https://www.thingiverse.com/thing:3641466)
[Hanging holder](https://www.thingiverse.com/thing:3268015)
[Wire shelving mount](https://www.thingiverse.com/thing:3307107)
[Hanger for 1x2 wood shelves](https://www.thingiverse.com/thing:3734536)
*2020 series structural framing*
------
[2020 Top mount, high](https://www.thingiverse.com/thing:3627169)
[2020 Top mount, low](https://www.thingiverse.com/thing:3693562)
[2020 Side mount](https://www.thingiverse.com/thing:3686332)
[2020 Side mount alternative](https://www.thingiverse.com/thing:3634954)
[Longer axle, for 2020 Top mount](https://www.thingiverse.com/thing:3845438)
[Under table setup](https://www.thingiverse.com/thing:4009501)
[A10M Dual auto-rewind spool holder](https://www.thingiverse.com/thing:4162850)
[Auto-Rewind Spool Top Mount for Ender 3/Pro](https://www.thingiverse.com/thing:4325787)
*Ikea furniture*
------
[Ikea Lack table sliding spooler stand](https://www.thingiverse.com/thing:3378970)
[MMU Spoolholder for Stuva / Besta](https://www.thingiverse.com/thing:3291542) (for parametric rewinder, check size)
[MMU V2 Autorewind Spoolholder for IKEA Samla BOX](https://www.thingiverse.com/thing:3268855) (for parametric rewinder, check size)
[Brackets for Securing Auto-rewinders on Ikea Lack enclosure](https://www.prusaprinters.org/prints/5617-brackets-for-securing-auto-rewinding-spool-holder)
[MMU2 PTFE Tube Guide for Ikea Lack enclosure](https://www.prusaprinters.org/prints/5615-mmu2-ptfe-tube-guide-for-ikea-lack-enclosure)
*Dry boxes*
------
[Adapter for Spannerhands Spool System](https://www.thingiverse.com/thing:3490353)
[SpannerHands dual-color hub](https://www.thingiverse.com/thing:3608441)
[Individual-Spool Dry-box Inserts](https://www.thingiverse.com/thing:3867357) for Rubbermaid container
[Modified Axle for Dry-box Insert for Universal Auto-Rewind Spool Holder](https://www.thingiverse.com/thing:4324181)
*Printer specific*
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[Prusa i3 MK3 top stand, narrow](https://www.thingiverse.com/thing:3342786)
[Prusa i3 MK3 top stand, 1 mm bigger](https://www.thingiverse.com/thing:3642869) In case the narrow one does not fit
[Another Prusa i3 MK3 top stand](https://www.thingiverse.com/thing:3687248)
[Stand for Wanhao Duplicator i3](https://www.thingiverse.com/thing:3539620)
[Anet A8 top stand](https://www.thingiverse.com/thing:3711558)
[FLSUN QQ-S](https://www.thingiverse.com/thing:3871159)
[AM8](https://www.thingiverse.com/thing:4024413) Modified Anet A8
*Rewinder systems*
------
Vincent's Auto-Rewind Spool Holders
[Original Auto-Rewind Spool Holder](https://www.thingiverse.com/thing:3200204)
[Parametric Auto-Rewind Spool Holder](https://www.thingiverse.com/thing:3252111)
[Universal Auto-Rewind Spool Holder](https://www.thingiverse.com/thing:3338467) (this thing)
[Sisyphus Auto-Rewind Spool Holder](https://www.thingiverse.com/thing:3739793) (gravity-based)
[Integrated Auto-Rewind Spool Holder](https://www.thingiverse.com/thing:3781815)
*Rewinders by other designers*
------
[Yet another rewinding spoolholder](https://www.thingiverse.com/thing:3380568) Uses rubber O-rings
[Remixed spoolholder](https://www.thingiverse.com/thing:3425043) Narrower, new tube holder
[Universal Auto-Rewind Spindle](https://www.thingiverse.com/thing:3446445) Parametric rewinder with threaded rod and nuts
[RepRewind](https://www.thingiverse.com/thing:3516858) Fits inside the RepBox container
[Wall-mount Auto-rewind Spool Thing](https://www.thingiverse.com/thing:3636609)
[Parametric Hangable Any-Direction Continuous Slip Clutch](https://www.thingiverse.com/thing:3406725)
[Circular Gravity-based Auto-Rewind Spool Holder](https://www.thingiverse.com/thing:3633095)
[Linear Gravity-based Auto-Rewind Spool Holder](https://www.thingiverse.com/thing:3691892)
[Prusa i3 top mount roller-style gravity rewinder](https://www.thingiverse.com/thing:3745720)
[Rewinder upgrade for Quick Change Universal Spool Holder](https://www.thingiverse.com/thing:3790000)
[Name Badge Reel Remix](https://www.thingiverse.com/thing:3995862) or [here](
https://www.prusaprinters.org/prints/11141-name-badge-reel-remix-of-the-universal-auto-rewind)
[Gravity spoolholders](https://www.prusaprinters.org/prints/10370-gravity-spoolholder-for-mmu2s) Re-uses original Prusa MMU2 spool holders
[Snapmaker 2 universal rewind spool holder](https://www.thingiverse.com/thing:4194449) Minimalistic design
*Other*
------
[4-lobe NutCurved](https://www.thingiverse.com/thing:3382027) Fits spools with thumbscrews
[Spool hub spacer](https://www.thingiverse.com/thing:3386756) Helps in centering spools
[Three-pointed dial](https://www.thingiverse.com/thing:3396157) Idea now included in V3.3
[3d printed 608 bearing](https://www.thingiverse.com/thing:3506177)
[Better 3d printed 608 bearing](https://www.thingiverse.com/thing:3593568)
[Remix with 3 sizes filament rings](https://www.thingiverse.com/thing:3528124) For centering spools
[Plain dial](https://www.thingiverse.com/thing:3642405) Dial with four simple spokes
[Round hub springs with endstops](https://www.thingiverse.com/thing:3670514) To re-use the just-too-short Prusa MMU2S axles
[Sample filament adapter](https://www.thingiverse.com/thing:3670583)
[Universal Spool Holder](https://www.thingiverse.com/thing:3703800) Non-rewind
[PTFE tube adapter](https://www.thingiverse.com/thing:3703977) Snaps into base of frame
[Tube holder assembly for Replicator Mini+](https://www.tinkercad.com/things/7XOjxQiHdsH-universal-auto-rewind-spool-holder-tube-holder-assembly-for)
[Sisyphus Clutch Mod](https://www.thingiverse.com/thing:3757556)
[Modular spring customizer](https://www.thingiverse.com/thing:3781815) See instructions for correct settings
[Spring One Way for Prusament spool](https://www.thingiverse.com/thing:4057786)
[PTFE adapter (PC4-M6) shelf edge](https://www.thingiverse.com/thing:4074083)
[PTFE Tube adapter for Universal Auto-Rewind Stand (PC4-M6)](https://www.thingiverse.com/thing:4155372)
[Spring One Way for Prusament Spool](https://www.thingiverse.com/thing:4057786)
[Horizontal Rewind Spool Holder](https://www.thingiverse.com/thing:4346450)
[One way spring A.R.S.H. (Auto-Rewind Spool Holder)](https://www.thingiverse.com/thing:4441640)
*Version and changes history*
------
* Sept 10, 2019
- Added pictures/instructions about v3.4 modular spring.
* Sept 5, 2019
- Added SpringFlat_Modular_v3.4.stl which presents a much easier way to print the spring. The spring is also more robust. Also, the spring parameters can be adjusted using the scad file of the [Integrated Auto-Rewind Spool Holder](https://www.thingiverse.com/thing:3781815).
* June 16
- Added instruction to put tape on outer rim of spring in case of too much slipping
* June 15
- Categorized community mods
* June 6:
- Added SpringFlat_Stiff_0.1gap_v3.3 (in the main files section) for those who have trouble in printing the spring
* v3.3 May 11, 2019
- File section now has newes
These notes continue on the original design page.
Formatting may have been simplified. These are the independent maker's instructions and fitment claims; Hark Tech has not independently verified them.
Printing Universal Auto-Rewind Spool Holder
For Universal Auto-Rewind Spool Holder we would normally reach for PETG — it is tougher and more heat-resistant than PLA, ideal for parts that take load or live somewhere warm. We set the layer height, wall count, infill and supports to suit the model and how you will use it, and those choices are already priced into your instant quote. Want a specific colour or material? Tell us and we will match it where we can.
Model details
| Downloads at source | 118,849 |
|---|---|
| Likes at source | 15,080 |
| Original model | View on Thingiverse |
| Designer | VincentGroenhuis |
| Licence | CC-BY-SA |
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