Film Cores

Film cores are used wind film for storage, handling, editing or projection. This project contains a script for generating cores of arbitrary diameter, and the standards of 2 inch cores for camera usage and 3 inch cores for projection are included as printable STL files.

This script will generate cores for 16mm, 8mm or 35mm gauge films. These can be used with the split_reel module.

8mm cores are not common or standard but these seem to work.

This script will generate film cores with or without a center partition making them possible to print with no overhangs or support. Keep in that without that center partition this makes for a weaker core and it may buckle under the tension of longer films depending on how it is printed.

Download the source and create an OpenSCAD file in the directory to generate arbitrary size cores as follows.

use <scad/film_core.scad>;
	
	film_core(16, 4 * 25.4, true);

This will generate a 4 inch core for 16mm gauge film with a center partition.

use <scad/film_core.scad>;
	
	film_core(8, 2.5 * 25.4, true);

This will generate a 2.5 inch core for 8mm gauge film without a center partition.

The script can even be used to generate cores for more uncommon gauges, such as Pathé 9.5mm.

use <scad/film_core.scad>;
	
	film_core(9.5, 3 * 25.4, true);

16mm Cores

• 16mm Core 2in
• 16mm Core 3in
• 16mm Core 2in - No Partition
• 16mm Core 3in - No Partition

8mm Cores

• 8mm Core 2in
• 8mm Core 3in
• 8mm Core 2in - No Partition
• 8mm Core 3in - No Partition

35mm Cores

• 35mm Core 2in
• 35mm Core 3in
• 35mm Core 2in - No Partition
• 35mm Core 3in - No Partition

	Copyright (c) 2025 M McWilliams
	
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