MMU Slot buffer

MMU Slot buffer – FINAL version

Hi everyone, here is my new design of a MMU buffer.

Thank you Juergen G. for test prints and wasted material on the development from BETA version to this FINAL SLOT buffer version.

As I am changing filaments quite often and I wanted to make the change as quick and easy as possible, I redesigned one buffer to have two doors on top to help me with this, but I was not really happy from how it worked. It was quite easy to change the filament, but it was not possible to change other filaments during the print to prepare it for next print.

And there came an idea to separate the filaments. I know there are buffers with separate units for each filament, but I wanted to keep it clean and in one box.
As you can see, it is a box with chambers separated with printed dividers and this box have a click system with 5 slots for filaments.

Print instructions

How it works:
 

Filament is set in a spool holder, now unreel enough filament to reach inside the slot, insert one end to the slot inlet side, pull out enough filament needed to reach the MMU unit and insert it into outlet hole, push filament almost to MMU unit, then press the load button on MMU unit and push the filament in. Now let the MMU unit to load the filament , insert the slot back into the buffer and create some nice loop of filament inside the buffer. Now you are ready to print.
To remove the filament, you just change the filament number on the MMU unit and wind up the filament back on the spool. And that’s it, happy changing..

For those who printed the BETA version
https://www.thingiverse.com/thing:3894874

It is also reworked to slot version and it keeps most of the printed parts the same.
Difference between BETA and this FINAL version is the width of buffer. Beta is 60mm wide and can be used with standard 4 mm tubing or Festo fitting with spanner size 8mm and M5 thread. Whereas final version is 70mm wide and can be used with standard 4mm tubing or any fitting PC4-M6 with 10 mm spanner size.

FINAL VERSION PARTS:

There are two versions of SLOTS, version for normal 4mm tube and version for fitting PC4-M6.

There are 3 versions of Slot handle, normal one, second with vertical hole for filament and third with horizontal hole for filament ( designed by Juergen G. ) , use the one you like.

Dividers are printed with amazing Prusaslicer 2.1 modifiers witch works like a charm. There is a configuration file for Prusaslicer 2.1 .3mf .
File SBU_Divider-real.stl was used just for renderings, I didn't print it from this file.

Other assembly material :
Bolts - 4 pcs M3x30 mm
Bolts - 12 pcs M3x10 mm or optional 10x PC4-M6 fitting
Nut - 1 pc M3

Print Settings

Printer brand:
Prusa

Printer:
i3 MK3 MMU 2

Rafts:
No

Supports:
No

Resolution:
0,2 and 0,3

Infill:
15%

Filament_brand:
Any

Filament_color:
Any

Filament_material:
PETG

Notes:
Sides and slots will definitely need to be printed from PETG as it is little bit flexible material.
Post-Printing
Cleaning

Clean holes with scalpel and drill to make them nice and smooth. Optionaly clean stringing with heat gun, but be careful to not destroy parts with too much heat.

I appreciate any contribution, tip me on my paypal account https://paypal.me/martinjerabek , if you like my work, as there is a lot of testing and some material wasted before release.. Thank you

Update 030822:

• added STP file as lots of people asking for it