A filament tangle on a spool is a mess you don’t want to have. Read on to find out how to fix it or avoid it entirely!
3D printing filament spooling is an important yet often overlooked part of 3D printing. It’s not usually something to be concerned about, as filament generally comes perfectly spooled right out of the box. Properly spooled filament is fundamental for a good 3D printing experience, to avoid under-printing, vibrations, mistakes, and more.
So, when filament tangles happen, it can be a nightmare to put up with, and even more complicated to solve. But it doesn’t have to be! Here are some tips and tricks to prevent and solve filament tangles on the spool, to make the most of your 3D printer.
Consequences of Filament Tangles
Filament tangle can be an annoying problem at best, and a hazardous problem at worst. Before looking at what causes it and how to solve it, let’s look at why it is important to avoid it.
One expected result of a filament tangle might be for the print to be interrupted if the extruder is unable to push the filament. This may be caused by a knot that is preventing the roll from unspooling. This would be a waste of time, electricity, and materials, and if you’re printing on a deadline, it could be costly.
It’s possible for a printer to overcome small tangles on its own, but this isn’t without its own problems. It may still cause a lot of vibration in the printer and in the print in turn, as the release of the tangle will cause the filament to swing back and forth if it is hanging on the machine. It can also wear down motors and drivers since the motor will require more force to pull tangled filament.
If you use a custom spool holder (like the TUSH) and your filament is badly tangled, the machine can continue to pull and cause it to fall off, resulting in potentially dangerous accidents and damage.
Additionally, a filament tangle can cause other problems in your printer because once the filament stops being pushed through, the melted filament will stay inside the nozzle, eventually clogging it. By becoming stuck and being unable to pull it, the extruder pulley may also eat into the filament and damage it.
Finally, if you decide to go ahead and print with tangled filament, you’ll have to watch the machine throughout its entire operation time to make sure nothing happens and to intervene with tangles near the extruder.
Causes
It’s rare that tangled filament is the manufacturer’s fault, as the winding process is performed by a machine. However, to prevent any issues, always inspect the state of your filament before opening the plastic wrapping. That way, if you notice something is wrong, you can contact the manufacturer and work it out.
However, even if your filament is correctly wound right off the spool, it may still become tangled later on due to improper use or storage. For example, when you take it off of the printer without maintaining tension, it can unwind and cause tangles. If you don’t keep it in a clear and clean space, filaments can tangle with each other or with other objects in the vicinity.
Tips to Prevent It
The best way to deal with filament tangle is to make sure it doesn’t happen. Therefore, here are some tips to keep your filament in shape.
- Check the state of your filament before taking it out of the bag. This way, if you notice any tangles from the manufacturer, you can report the defect and avoid working with a faulty batch.
- Don’t store your filament in a messy place, for example, a toolbox. It may be a good idea to build or buy a filament rack, to keep your filaments orderly and dust-free.
- Use accessories to keep the filament end taut and in place
Accessories to Prevent It
One of the simplest ways to avoid filament tangle is to print a simple accessory to keep it neatly in place on the spool. There are a few different designs: The best one for your setup will likely depend on how you store and use your filament.
Check out the Link Below for some of the most recommend Filament Spool Accessories. 