HP DesignJet 500 - 24inch Roll Paper (Spool Holder)

My colleague had this plotter but the fins from one of the spool holders were cracking and finally broke off. He asked me if i could print one for him and i said yes.

At first i did some search for a replacement part for the Spool Holder for the HP DesignJet 500 plotter but the ones i found are a bit bulky and generic. 

So i decided to model one by myself. I borrowed the second one (the plotter needs two of them) from him to take some measurements. As i started, I never thought to give this replacement part all the details of the original but as i was progressing i kept adding details and before i knew it i finally modeled it with all details as the original.

I also made some small changes to add more strength to the fins.

He uses this replacement that i printed for him for about 2 years and with no issues.

Print instructions

I printed mine with PETG to add a bit more flexibility to the part but i think that PLA can do the job just fine but i cannot guaranty it will have the lifespan of the PETG as i have not tested it with PLA.

The model includes “built in” supports in one place. No more supports needed. After the print please break the 2 yellow parts seen in the picture below. Very easy to remove.

You need 2 spool holders for the plotter. The original ones are 1 blue and 1 black. They are exactly the same. So no need to fear if you need 2 parts. Just print 2 of these and you are OK.

Method 1

The GCode file is the one i used on a Prusa i3 MK3

(note: 1st G-Code is for PETG (recommended) and the 2nd one is for PLA.)

Method 2

Use the 3mf file to check and even change some of the settings i made before you slice it again.

Method 3

If you use the STL provided i recommend the following:

• No supports needed (build in supports. just remove them after the print)
• I recommend 0.2 layer height and 4 perimeters
• Infill 20% Gyroid pattern
• Filament PETG recommended (and tested)