Filabook, the Tiny Hinged Filament Cleaner

This is the last filament cleaner I will publish as I've printed far more than I'll ever use!

The aim was to make one that I was totally happy with - quick to print, minimal materials, satisfying to use and pleasing to look at. A functional novelty.

I also noticed that in previous cleaners used, the amount of foam required to catch dust was quite small; this prompted me to go as minimal as reasonably possible, and the result is something I'm very pleased with and use all the time.

Features

• Very lightweight.
• One-piece print with hinge for convenience and no risk of halves being separated.
• Snaps over filament positively when fitted and stays in place securely.
• Cover area acts as a thumb grip, just like a book, and opens easily for removal.
• Economical use of magnets. No glue required.
• Magnets push-fit firmly, with option of holes on cover side for easy removal.
• Spine hinge optimised for easy printing without difficult overhangs or mess.
• Gripping and retaining ribs for foam inserts to prevent dislocation from filament travel.
• Covers can be beautified with optional combinations of colour change and infill patterns using slicer settings.
• Easily stuck to a steel surface for storage, and also stick together like a row of books.

Each Filabook requires two 3x4mm neodymium cylinder magnets and a small amount of 3mm polyurethane foam sheet (the open-cell upholstery type foam.)

I have included a 3x3mm magnet option as well for if you only have those, but the longer 3x4 magnets probably stay in more securely.

Alternatively, you could use just one magnet and try a small length of steel rod or M3 screw for one side.

Slicer Settings

As expected, PLA works very well for these - but I have also had some success with PETG.

See the included .3mf files that include my preferred settings:

• 0.4mm nozzle - set all perimeters to 0.4mm for slightly finer detail.
• The model is designed for 0.2mm layers, but 0.1mm is also good for an overall finer finish.
• “Classic” perimeter generation tends to give better results than “Arachne.”
• Variable layer height can work well when used on the upper half of the spine, as a finer finish here can make for a smoother closing action.
• Around 20-30% infill is fine - not too important, but having enough inside the hinge pins will help for strength.

Infill patterns for the covers can be made by adding settings on a layer range setting of 0.0 - 0.8mm for a partly patterned cover, or 0.0 - 1.6mm for pattern that goes further in for a see-through look.

If changing colour, set the point after the cover at 1mm, where the page area starts. Alternatively, set another change at 1.2mm if the pattern height is 0.8mm and you want a two-colour cover with another colour for pages.

There are many variations of colour and pattern combinations that can be tried - probably more than I've covered here.

Assembly

• Clean off any retraction blobs on the top surfaces or it may not close flat.

• Push one magnet into a hole, stack the other on top and push both book halves together.
• Cut two pieces of foam to 9.5mm x 20mm (doesn't have to be that exact,) and insert into each side.
• If the hinge is comes out little sticky, work it a few times to loosen it.