NexGen3D: NXG-Node - Auto Rewind Filament Dry Box

I’m proud to finally release my NXG-Node to the 3D Printing Community.

I originally intended to make these and sell them, but due to other forces in my life, I have decided to just release the files and let others make and enjoy this filament box.

This design was born out of frustration with filament dispensing systems in general, and my requirements for this design were the following:

• Must be fully printable without supports.
• Must have some modularity.
• Can dispense filament in any orientation, laying down, standing up and even in the vacuum of space.
• Can be used to store or dispense filament.
• Must have a humidity sensor.
• Lid comes completely off.
• Must be a rugged design.
• Must have a way to view filament without opening.
• Must have large desiccant capacity.
• Must have an auto rewinding hub for multi material use.
• Can be used with 6mm and 4mm PTFE Tubing
• Must have an active heating/drying system (Not completed yet)

So I have managed to tick nearly every item on this list, except for the active heater system, this I’m still developing, I have two systems I’m working on, one is induction based and uses wireless power transmission like a phone charger, the other uses pogo pins, the dock itself will also have an integrated weight meter, but these additional features are on hold until I have the time to complete them.

This box can be complex when first building one, but after the first, they are a breeze, I have built around 20 included the early failures, and I have around 8 in use with printers, the rest are for pure storage, and they use three desiccant modules, and have no hub.

The actual box can be printed from a variety of materials, but this will be up to you, I used ABS for the actual housing, as PLA is useless in my climate, and PETG is hydroscopic, and wanted these boxes to combat moisture, not attract it, the hub, I printed in PETG-CF and the coil spring I printed in PC, straight PETG should also be okay, but avoid ABS, or any CF or GF infused filaments as the spring will fail rapidly due to material stiffness.

All of the modules I printed in ABS, and all the internal bits I did in PETG-CF, all of the gaskets and seals, must be printed in TPU or TPE, the softer the better.

All of the gaskets should be coated in silicone oil, I used RC Model 50w Silicone Shock Oil as it was easy to obtain and was very viscous

For the thumb screws, you are best to use some super glue to lock them to the M3 bolts.

I will be uploaded a more extensive guide for assembly soon, most likely during the next weekend, as the hub can be complicated for the less mechanically mind folk out there.

BOM:

1. Desiccant Module:
   1. 4 x M3 x 16mm SHS or BHS
   2. 1 x M3 x 8mm SHS or BHS
   3. 5 x M3 Threaded Inserts
2. Humidity Sensor Module:
   1. 4 x M3 x 16mm SHS or BHS
   2. 4 x M3 Threaded Inserts
   3. 1 x Hydrometer
3. Filament Output Module:
   1. 4 x M3 x 16mm SHS or BHS
   2. 1 x M3 x 8mm SHS or BHS
   3. 5 x M3 Threaded Inserts
4. Latch:
   1. 4 x M3 x 16mm SHS or BHS
   2. 4 x M3 x 10mm SHS or BHS
   3. 2 x M3 x 12mm SHS or BHS
   4. 10 x M3 Threaded Inserts
5. Lid:
   1. 8 x M3 x 8mm SHS or BHS
   2. 8 x M3 Threaded Inserts
   3. 1 x Acrylic Panel, 85mm x 75mm x 3.5 to 4mm
6. Hub:
   1. 2 x IGUS Style Composite Linear Bearings RJMP-01-10
   2. 2 x M2.5 x 16mm BHS

I have included an optional top panel if do not want to purchase a clear acrylic panel, I use this for some of the boxes I use for storage.

Also, the TPU plug for the PTFE hole can also be used to hold filament in place when load, it has a small cut out that allows you to jam the filament stopping it from retracting back onto the spool.

What you wont see straight away, is the fact that all modules are interchangeable, the filament output shown above can be rotated 180 degrees so you can upwards or backwards, or you can fit it to the bottom, and feed out the back rear or straight down if you want to feed through a bench or to a printer below, you can lay it on its side and it will also work as the hub keeps tension on the filament, stopping it from unravelling, this tension, is also adjustable, which is why I say this thing will work in any orientation, even in zero G, you can opt to have 3 desiccant holders and no hydrometer, or if its going to be for storage, you can use 4 desiccant holders, the hub can be rotated 180 degrees if you like and the lid can go on either direction.

The hub has directions on it, below is the filament output direction:

And around the outer part, you will find the directions for adjusting the tension:

I will do a YouTube video this weekend on how to assemble the hub and post it here.

If you have any questions, feel free to ask me in the comments section or send me PM.

Update: Added a custom lid with built in support and one that is solid without a window so those that have a small 220mm3 printer can still print this model: