Octofiber 3D Printer Filament Storage

**Brian_Krassenstein** · 04-21-2015, 08:59 AM

Octofiber, a producer of 3D printing filament in the Netherlands, is now offering high quality 1.75 mm filament that literally comes packed with an extra punch, in terms of its own management system from within its packaging. Octofiber arrives to the consumer in a cardboard box featuring 3D printed inserts that allow you to recycle the compact box into both a storage container and filament cartridge which sits right beside the printer keeping your 3D printer materials nice and tidy, eliminating tangling and failed prints. Read more about Octofiber in the full article: http://3dprint.com/59063/octofiber-filament-storage/

Below is a photo of the Octofiber system in use:

**Wolfie** · 04-21-2015, 03:07 PM

Except you can't see how much is left very easy. And its no protection against moisture absorption.

**Octofiber** · 04-30-2015, 09:10 AM

Hi Wolfie,
it may not be that clear from the overview image, but the spools are transparent and with the void in the front and back, you can see how much is left (check the image below for a detail)
And you are right, it is not a protection against moisture, and we do not want to make that claim, so if concluded that based on our info, let us know, so we can review it. Besides, the filament is less prone to moisture attraction because of the special PLA compound we use.

OctofiberIndicator.jpg

**Wolfie** · 04-30-2015, 09:39 AM

Does it have a view port on top where the label is? Stack 5 next to each other. can you see how much is left in the middle box without moving it or any of the others? From the images, it doesn't appear as though you can.

Don't get me wrong. I am liking the box idea. It would be easy to build a box enclosure to house them precisely because they are square and are self supporting. But, unless you made it out of clear plexi or you lifted out each one to see whats left, the box would hinder things.

I think a view port, not on the side, but up near where it feeds through the tube would be more handy. That is the area you are going to be leaving exposed to feed the printer. Its the area where you are handling the filament so your attention is focused in that area.

Your idea is not new, nor unique. It may be in 3D printing. But not in the world of bulk cable which has been using similar designs for decades. The company I work for buys bulk cable, cat5 network cable for example. The supplier we get them from sends them in cardboard boxes nearly identical to your design. Most of the boxes also have a similar port on the sides like yours. They, however, also have a hand hold to pick them up and carry them near the corner where the cable exit is. Our techs always take a box knife and open it up larger. Why? So they can see how much is left when its on a crowded shelf without having to drag it off the shelf and look through the side.

Oh, and cheers for popping in and showing it did have at least some method for viewing contents. It wasn't too obvious in the cover photo.