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Why You Should Use Filament Refills

Why You Should Use Filament Refills

As 3D printing enthusiasts, we’re constantly seeking innovative ways to enhance our printing experience while being mindful of the environment. One impactful solution is transitioning to filament refills, which offer numerous benefits over traditional plastic spools. We’ll explore why using filament refills is a smart choice for the eco-conscious maker. We’ll also explore reusable spools for refills and their contribution to a greener 3D printing journey.

Environmental Sustainability

One of the most compelling reasons to embrace filament refills is their positive impact on the environment. By eliminating the need for plastic spools, we significantly reduce plastic waste in our 3D printing process. Plastic spools take up space in landfills and contribute to pollution, but with refillable filament options, we can play our part in conserving the environment for future generations.

Storage Efficiency

Let’s face it: plastic spools take up a significant amount of storage space. With filament refills, we can eliminate the clutter caused by multiple spools and free up valuable real estate in our workshops or printing stations. This enhanced storage efficiency allows for a more organized and optimized workspace, making our creative process smoother and more enjoyable.

Re-usable Spool for Refills

To further streamline our filament refill experience, eSUN has introduced the innovative eSPOOL Refill Holder. This compact and user-friendly device securely holds filament refills, providing stability and ensuring hassle-free printing sessions. There are also spools you can print yourself.

However, it’s not without its flaws, small flaws but flaws nonetheless. There are limited materials and colours available in the form of refills, usually PLA, ABS and PET-G, which restricts the choice of materials. This isn’t an issue if you use a lot of those materials. The next issue is that it can be a little tricky to re-spool the refill, which also creates the opportunity for tangles to occur. In our opinion, these flaws are vastly outweighed by the benefits as most general users will use one of the main materials available and the refills can be used concurrently with regular spools.

Who Supplies Refills?

We stock a couple of brands that supply a wide range of refills. eSUN has a selection of PLA+ & PET-G which includes a decent but basic selection of colours. Fiberlogy also has a selection of Easy PLA and Easy PET-G with a limited choice of colours. We also stock rPLA from Reflow, a 100% recycled PLA.

Conclusion

As we embark on a journey of sustainable making, embracing filament refills is a logical step for 3D printing enthusiasts. By reducing plastic waste,  optimizing storage space, and leveraging innovative accessories like the eSPOOL Filament Spool Holder from eSUN, we can enhance our printing experience while preserving the environment. Let’s embrace this eco-friendly approach, unleash our creativity, and contribute to a greener future, one print at a time.

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Comments (2)

  • Paul

    I just want to thank the guys n gals at Filaprint for their excellent support and service. Always helpful and a friendly welcome. Their technical knowledge is second to none.
    Keep up the great experience.

    September 3, 2023 at 8:11 am
    • John

      Thank you Paul, your kind words are very much appreciated as are great customers like yourself.

      September 6, 2023 at 9:29 am

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