Changing the Filament
Changing the filament can be done either in the software or using the control panel.
1. Remove the magnetic Spool Cover.
2. Select Maintenance from the 3D Print menu and click Withdraw.
-or Double Press the Filament button.
3. Insert the end of filament into one end of the Filament tube, which is on the upper right side of the spool holder.
4. Feed the filament through the tube until about 4 inches of filament protrudes from the tube.
5. Put the Filament Spool onto the holder with the end of the filament pointing up from the back.
6. Feed the filament into the extruder head as far as it can go, about 2 inches.
7. Click Extrude in the Maintenance window
-or Long Press the Filament button.
8. If the filament doesn’t start feeding when the printer beeps, gently push in the filament.
9. Replace the magnetic filament cover.
select the filament type and enter the weight of the new spool.
This must be done in the software, not from the control panel.
TIP: If you are loading a different color filament than the last spool, run Extrude a few times before you start printing. This will help remove any left-over filament of the previous color.
CAUTION: If the nozzle is blocked, remove the nozzle and clean it.
GLOVES: The extruder and platform are hot. Use gloves when working in this area of printer.
Cleaning the Nozzle
The outside of the nozzle can get covered with a layer of filament during regular use. When the printer is printing, this layer may melt on the nozzle and leave discolored spots in the model or even clog the nozzle. To avoid this, regularly clean the nozzle.
Click To Bottom in Maintenance and then click Extrude to heat the extruder and melt the coating of filament. Wait until the filament is finished extruding, then remove the extruded filament from the nozzle.
Use a heat-resistant material such as 100 percent cotton cloth or soft paper and a pair of pliers.
With the material between the pliers and the nozzle, apply gentle pressure and turn the pliers to remove the filament material. Do not apply heavy pressure!
Remember, the nozzle can heat up to 260° C (500° F) – that’s over two and a half times the boiling point of water. Do not touch the nozzle or nozzle mount with bare skin!
If this does not clear up any issues, remove and soak the nozzle in acetone overnight to remove excess ABS material from the nozzle. Ultrasonic cleaning baths also work.
Removing / Changing the Nozzle
If the nozzle becomes blocked, you will need to remove the nozzle in order to unblock or replace it.
Lower the platform to the bottom.
Once the Withdraw has completed and before the heater has a chance to cool below 200° C, use the nozzle wrench provided in the toolkit to remove the nozzle.
Use the same process to replace the nozzle, being sure to heat the extruder to at least 200° C before tightening the nozzle back down.
Do not apply too much torque to the nozzle to avoid twisting the heater assembly!
TIP: Heating the nozzle to 200° C will make it easier to remove and replace.
WARNING: Be careful when handling the heated nozzle and nozzle wrench!
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3D Printers User Guide
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