Phlex Phraim - A modular rack for 250g spools!

Introduction:

Hi there! This is the Phlex Phraim, a modular rack system for your 250g spools! This is designed to be printed in either vase-mode, or 'fake'-vase-mode. Each Phlex Phraim should only take about 55g of PLA and print in less than an hour and half. The modules can connect together in any number of arrangements to help you make the most of your spool storage space!

Print Settings:

The design has been made to work best with 1.2mm walls, you can achieve this through standard vase mode if you have suitable nozzle or you can use a trick called fake-vase-mode to achieve a quick, strong print with the same properties.

To use fake-vase-mode, you need to start by setting your infill and top layers to 0. You'll also need to turn off Extra Perimeters on Overhangs and set Ensure Vertical Shell Thickness to None. Then, set your Line Width for your inner and outer walls to either 0.4mm for 3 perimeters or 0.6mm for two perimeters, depending on what you're comfortable with. Other than that, your usual print setting should be fine. The clips can be printed with standard print settings.

Post Printing:

The long faces of your Phlex Phraims may have collapsed slightly during the printing, as shown below:

If this happens, it's any easy fix. You'll only need a heat gun, heat protective gloves, and to print the file titled "Correction Plate." Once you have all of that together, start  by gently heating one face of the Phlex Phraim.

With your gloves on, place the heated face, face down on the correction plate. Gently press and hold the heated face flat against the correction plate for a few moments, until everything cools down.

Repeat the previous steps of gently heating and flattening on the other side and you're done!

Now you're ready to stack, clip and store your 250g spools!

Assembly:

Once you've printed all of your Phlex Phraims and a hand full of clips, you can start to assemble your rack! You'll find that one face has positive protrusions and the other only has indents. If you're stacking them horizontally, the protruding face is meant to face down. You can insert a clip to hold each layer together. You can also setup multiple stacks next to each other and clip them together between the side protrusions.

If you're lining up your Phlex Phraims vertically, the side protrusions are meant to face upward, so that the internal geometry stops the spools from rolling out. You can clip these together in the middle of each face. You can also stack multiple multiple rows on top of each other, securing them to the set below with clips between the side protrusions.

The center face protrusion is meant to fit into the side protrusions as well, unlocking any number of combinations to best fit your space!

Disclaimer: The Phlex Phraims will not stand up on end without any weight in them. For that reason, I recommend clipping them to their neighbours and/or setting them up against a wall.

Further Modifications:

To make it easier for you to customize your Phlex Phraim system, I've included the .STEP file, so you can take it into the 3D modeling software of your choice! If you improve on the Phlex Phraim, I'd love to see it! Feel free to post a remix or a make when you're done!