parametric spool file? - Page 1
Forum section: electronics / general

author: coppercone2
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: January 10, 2025, 06:58:47 am
content: I want to 3d print a spool (say a inductor bobbin)I saw some cool parametric programs before for making knobs. Does anyone know one for a bobbin/spool?I.e. you set the ID, OD, flange diameter and flange thickness. Very simple. I think it would be in openscd or whatever that program isOr some other part that could be hacked to make spools. I can't think of one. I feel like this might exist already

author: ajb
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: January 10, 2025, 04:22:31 pm
content: A basic bobbin shape is trivial to model in any 3D cad program -- a simple round one could be a single sketch and a revolve, other shapes might be one sketch and 2-3 extrudes. You'd probably need to split it for 3D printing, depending on shape and printing technology, that might be one more operation. It's barely worth making such a model parametric -- just go back and edit the sketch. I bet you could go from zero CAD experience to the exact model you want in 30min with a couple of tutorials.Fusion is possible, and I think still has a free tier? Personally I use and recommendOnshapefor things like this -- their free tier has no private storage, but that's fine for how I use it -- because it's fast and reliable, and I like the workflow better. Lots of other options including OSS, though.

author: abeyer
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: January 10, 2025, 10:05:29 pm
content: Didn't test this, just off the top of my head, but should be pretty close:spool.scadCode:spool_od = 4;spool_id = 2;spool_loa = 8;flange_od = 10;flange_thick = 1;difference() {union() {cylinder(h=spool_loa, d=spool_od, center=false);cylinder(h=flange_thick, d=flange_od, center=false);translate([0,0,spool_loa - flange_thick]) {cylinder(h=flange_thick, d=flange_od, center=false);}}cylinder(spool_loa, d=spool_id, center=false);}

author: coppercone2
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: January 10, 2025, 10:37:08 pm
content: oh wow you don't need to use coded hieroglyph buttons to program it? I basically had it written out in my head and I was wondering if there was utility to writing down the equations on a piece of paper. maybe its worth to learn this language

author: coppercone2
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: January 10, 2025, 10:41:04 pm
content: lmfao i copy pasted it and it made a spool

author: coppercone2
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: January 10, 2025, 10:41:49 pm
content: I thought I would have had to specify a polygon of type 0 to indicate a circle, then do a uniaxial extrude (after figuring out the circle has to have its side touching the X and Y axis of a 4 quadrant map after 5000 failures), then find some random confusing button and so onyou need to add the $fn= command to make it smootherCode:spool_od = 4;spool_id = 2;spool_loa = 8;flange_od = 10;flange_thick = 1;difference() {union() {cylinder(h=spool_loa, d=spool_od, center=false, $fn=100);cylinder(h=flange_thick, d=flange_od, center=false, $fn=100);translate([0,0,spool_loa - flange_thick]) {cylinder(h=flange_thick, d=flange_od, center=false, $fn=100);}}cylinder(spool_loa, d=spool_id, center=false, $fn=80);}The last FN might need to be adjusted to make it like not graphically glitch outNow its a spool for loading a ferrite