mBuffer System - For MMU and ANYBOX (3D Print Files)

Description and Design Goal:

The “ANYBOX” by 3D Print Files is a versatile drybox solution designed to enclose 5-6x spools. Users of this drybox solution might find themselves using it along with the Prusa MMU system. Conveniently, the remaining available room inside the ANYBOX provides just enough space for a small, yet complete, MMU Buffer system. 

I desired to keep the entirety of my filament fully inside a controlled environment - even the length of filament contained within the buffer. After browsing for user-created solutions to ANYBOX buffer systems, I found designs that were annoying to set up or inconsistent in function. With the MMU, I deem additional sources failure to be entirely unacceptable. 

This mVention grants the user the ability to contain 100% of the filament length inside a humidity-controlled environment (from spool to MMU), along with convenient set up and maintenance features.

 

 

Clever Features:

• Absolutely no way for filament to get caught on adjacent drybox items (so long as you wind filament around the Inter-Spool 2x times).

• Ability to quickly replace and respool filament (each Stand assembly can be unclipped and removed from ANYBOX). This means you can wind the filament around the Inter-Spool and feed the filament up to the MMU completely outside of the drybox and then clip it back into the Base once you are done. No more tight places when setting up your filament.

  

• Removable Fans (plates) that prevent filament from getting caught while printing but can be removed when it is time to change filament.

  

 

 

BOM: (for 5x mBuffer assemblies)

Buy these:

• (5x) Bolts for Inter-Spool shaft: M8 x 70mm 

• (5x) Nuts for Inter-Spool shaft: M8

• (10x) Bolts for Stand assembly tension: M3 x 35mm 

  • (you might have these spare parts from building your printer)

• (20x) Washers for Stand assembly: M3 Washer (max OD 10mm)

  • (you might have these spare parts from building your printer)

• (10x) Nuts for Stand assembly: M3nS 

  • (you might have these spare parts from building your printer)

• (10x) Bolts for attaching the Base to the ANYBOX: M3 x 6mm 

  • (you might have these spare parts from building your printer)

• (10x) Nuts for attaching the Base to the ANYBOX: M3n or M3nN nylon lock nuts

  • (you might have these spare parts from building your printer)

• (10x) Bearings for Inter-Spool to Stand rotation: 608RS Bearings

• Filament: (depending on what you print PLA/PETG/Flex - advised later)

  • 850g PETG

  • 210g PLA

  • 105g Flex

Print these:

You can either print from:

• …the provided sliced .3mf PrusaSlicer project files, which have all parts oriented properly, carefully placed supports, and ideal settings (you just need to change the settings to match your printer and filament type)

or

• …the .step files (requiring you to add the necessary supports and optional fuzzy skin)

 

(I have provided the .gcode and .bgcode, but those rarely seem useful in light of the serious nature of printing this many parts.)

 

 

Files and Assembly:

I have provided the source files [.sldprt], model files [.step], and sliced PrusaSlicer project files [.3mf]:

Source .sldprt files list:

• Inter-Spool [partial PETG/Flex]: Performs the Buffer function. 

  • I recommend printing the collar that connects the two halves of the spool assembly in either PLA or Flex. (hence: that part is found in the “Buildplates_Flex-TPU.3mf” file) 

• Stand [PETG]: Holds the Inter-Spool assembly and connects to the base.

• Base [PETG]: Clips/Secures the Stand to the ANYBOX. 

  • THE STAND CLIPS INTO THE BASE - YOU ARE ABLE TO REMOVE THE STAND ASSEMBLY FOR EASY FILAMENT SETUP

• Fans [PLA]: Prevents filament from getting stuck in places it doesn't belong (like adjacent filament, spools).

• Gasket [Flex]: Keep airlock between the control volume and outside. 

Assembly:

General note: The Base connects to the Stand assembly by clipping onto the fasteners that combine the two halves of the Stand. So, the M3 x 35mm fasteners perform two jobs. Therefore, the tolerances of your printer affect how well these parts interface. You might want to print off test parts and check if your assembled Stand seats and stays connected to the Base with your printer's tolerances. 

(Refer to provided photos to assemble the printed parts - both REAL and CAD photos)

Instructions to install each mBuffer into your ANYBOX: 

1. Start by putting your ANYBOX near the edge of the table - we will be using the edge of the table to see the underside of your ANYBOX.

2. Ensure your ANYBOX spool pulley assembly is installed in your ANYBOX and place a reel of filament in the middle spool pulley position. Pick your widest diameter spool. 

   1. We start in the middle because there will be extra space on both sides of the ANYBOX spool pulley assembly and the interior of the SAMLA box. 

3. Take 1x assembled mBuffer with the Base and Fans installed and place it between the wall of the ANYBOX and your spool of filament. 

   1. The Fans should not collide with your filament. Rubbing between these two items would not be ideal. 

4. Carefully slide the ANYBOX over the edge of your table so you can now see underneath the mBuffer.

5. Take a permanent marker and place two dots where the two thru holes in the Base are positioned. 

6. Remove the mBuffer and drill holes through bottom of the ANYBOX where you have marked. 

7. (repeat) Do this for each other mBuffer, ensuring each additional mBuffer is directly next to/touching the previous mBuffer so that you consume as little space inside the ANYBOX as possible (however, if there is a little gap between each, everything should still fit).

 

 

Design Notes & Extra Notes:

Printers:

Some files were printed on the MK4S and some on the MK3S+. That is why you will find both .gcode and .bgcode files for the project. 

Removed PTFE tube path:

In the source file for the Stand, you will see a suppressed feature that granted a path for a 4mm PTFE tube. This feature was removed from the final model (my photos have it, your files do not) because overhang tolerances were inconsistent at a layer height of 0.2mm. 

However, with some resizing and additional testing, the user might be able to reincorporate this feature. Without it, I find the consistency of the mBuffer is satisfactory. 

Material savings in the Fans:

Theoretically, the Fans could be shorter. Since not everyone's MMU-to-Extruder PTFE tube is the length, the height of the Fans was kept safely large (but will still fit inside the ANYBOX).

Mine:

The black mBuffer shown in photos was a prototype.

I have 10x mBuffers - 5x in Prusament Mango Yellow and 5x in Prusa Orange. These match the colors of their use printer.