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Puller

PETAMENTOR — How to: Part 2 (Puller & Winder basics)

PETAMENTOR — How to: Part 2 (Puller & Winder basics)

Assemble the puller module (rollers & drive) and upgrade the winder with a flanged shaft hub to stop spool slip.

Table of Contents

  1. Overview
  2. Materials & Tools
  3. Safety
  4. Step-by-step — Puller
  5. Upgrade — Flanged shaft hub (Winder)
  6. Video & timeline

Overview

The puller provides controlled traction on the PET strip using two rollers. Correct alignment and gentle pressure are key to avoid deformation while maintaining grip. Additionally, the winder benefits from a simple upgrade — a flanged shaft hub — installed between the motor shaft and the spool hub to eliminate slipping under load.

Puller overview
Puller workspace and components.

Materials

  • Puller rollers (pair) with shaft and bearings
  • Mounting brackets and fasteners
  • Drive motor with pulley (or direct drive)
  • Guide(s) for strip entry/exit
  • Flanged shaft hub (for winder anti-slip, see upgrade below)

Tools

  • Hex keys, screwdriver
  • Drill for pilot holes if needed
  • Square/ruler for alignment

Safety

Keep fingers away from the drill bit :-); Verify all rotating parts are secured before testing.

Step‑by‑step — Puller

  1. Solder about a 40cm of wire to a 12V 7RPM DC motor.
    Parts layout — rollers, brackets, motor
    Soldering the wires.
  2. Assemble the brackets on a DC motor.
    Assembling rollers on the shaft
  3. Center the puller and make marks to drill the holes for screws.
    Mounting brackets on the base
  4. Install the motor (and pulley if used); align with the roller axis.
    Installing the motor / pulley
  5. Adjust roller pressure (pinch) — firm grip without deforming the strip.
    Adjusting roller pressure
  6. Thread the PET strip through the rollers; hand-rotate to verify smooth feed.
    Threading the PET strip
  7. First powered run: check traction and correct any wandering.
    First powered run — checking traction
  8. Fine alignment: keep the path straight to the winder.
    Aligning the strip path
  9. Steady pull: verify constant speed under light load.
    Steady pull
  10. Final check: tighten hardware and confirm no rubbing or vibration.
    Final puller module

Upgrade — Flanged shaft hub (Winder)

Purpose: Couples the spool directly to the motor shaft to eliminate slippage under load.

Where it goes: Install between the motor shaft and the spool hub on the winder.

Flanged shaft hub (anti-slip spool interface)
Simple, low‑cost anti‑slip interface.

Quick procedure

  1. Seat the flanged hub on the spool hub (holes aligned) and secure per your hardware.
  2. Slide the assembly onto the clean motor shaft and lock the hub to the shaft.
  3. Spin by hand to check run‑out; re‑seat if needed. Re‑check after first warm run.

Video & timeline

Approximate chapters: overview · assembly · motor · threading · first run · alignment · steady run · upgrade (flanged hub).