Eastern Geek

3D Printer Mod - Improved 3D Printer Filament Spool Holder / Roller

An improved 3D printer filament spool holder / roller for my Makergear M2 3D printer.

The holder / roller is designed to fit a standard Makergear filament spool.

This is just another excuse to give my lathe a bit of a workout :)

Original Makergear M2 3D Printer Filament Spool Holder

The original filament spool holder on my Makergear M2 although functional, leaves much room for improvements.

The completed 3D Printer Filament Spool Holder For Makergear M2 2

The new filament spool roller / holder.

Improved 3D Printer Filament Spool Holder For Makergear M2 3

Without the filament spool.

Exploded View - Improved 3D Printer Filament Spool Holder For Makergear M2

Exploded schematics of the improved filament spool holder / roller

How It’s Made

Check out the video below for the build, took half a day from start to finish. Mostly involved turning (aluminum and delrin) down to size, and tapping a few screw threads.

I could as well print the plastic roller on my printer, but no 3D printer (the affordable ones at least) can beat the smooth and precise finish a lathe can achieve.

And the choice of aluminum is of course due to it being much stronger than plastics (ABS or PLA). I’m using 6061 Aluminum, it is easier to work with, and produces better finish when turned on a lathe.

A self balancing two-wheel robot that wobbles, hence the name WobblyBot.

Quite possibly the simplest design for a robot that could (sort of) balance itself on two wheels, without the use of accelerometer, gyroscope or microcontroller.

A great weekend project, and do check out the video to see it in action. And why Domo Kun? Because my other half think it's cute :) You can pretty much change the WobblyBot into any character you like.

UPDATE: The WobblyBot was featured in Hacked Gadget, Engadget and Hack-A-Day!

easterngeek.com - wobbly bot, self balancin robot01

How It Works

It's about simplifying things and getting back to basics. the goal is to build a balanced robot instead of a robot that balance itself.

The robot is essentially a simple pendulum, with the pivot at the wheel axle. The bottom part of the robot’s body is significantly heavier than the upper part of it. This serves as a counter weight, keeping the entire body upright, hence the balancing act.

Homebrew repulsor beam blaster that’s designed to produce extremely intense burst of light that can be used to repulse your archnemesis, girlfriend /wife and pet cat.

UPDATE: This hack's featured on Hack A Day!!, and Gizmodo and Engadget and Slashgear and TechCrunch. Many thanks to the folks there, and to everyone that took the trouble to visit.

WARNING: The build involves high voltage and intense light so please take the necessary precautions. And please be warned that , walking around with one of this strapped to your hand may seriously jeopardize your chances with the opposite sex.