Changing Filament - Fusion3 EDGE

This filament changing tutorial is intended only for the Fusion3 EDGE printer in the fabrication lab (ACET 237). Other printers may require different instructions.

This tutorial only works for commonly used filament such as PLA, PETG and ABS. If an engineering-grade filament requiring higher temperatures or a flexible filament needs to be loaded, ask the lab director for assistance. This tutorial does not cover the needs these specialized filaments have.

Filament is defined as a thin (typically 1.75 mm in diameter) polymeric extrusion that is typically wound onto a spool.

A spool is a plastic cylinder which conveniently stores wound up filament.

A filament sensor notifies the printer when filament has run out or is not properly feeding through the extruder / hotend.

An extruder is a stepper motor and other hardware that drives the filament through the hotend.

The hotend heats up the filament until it can be extruded through a nozzle.

Note that the colors in the images correspond to the definitions.

On the Fusion3 EDGE touchscreen, select "Extrude"

If the printer is paused, select the back arrow found on the top left of the screen.

Select "Unload".

Wait until the hotend reaches the target temperature and the filament is automatically pulled out of the extruder.

The extruder will start backing out the filament. Gently roll the spool backwards so that the filament remains tight.

Once the automated unloading procedure is finished, pull out the filament.

Remove the spool of filament from the holder.

Secure the end of the filament through the side holes of the spool as shown in the third image.

Grab another spool of filament.

Take the end of the filament out of the holes that secured it.

Cut the end of the filament at a 45° angle.

This can make feeding the filament through the tube, extruder and hotend easier.

Place the new filament spool on the holder in an orientation such that the filament can easily feed through the filament sensor. Reference the 2nd image as needed.

Thread the filament through the extruder using the following steps and image as a reference.

Pull tabs (red arrow) revealing internal area.

Feed the filament through the entrance hole and through the next hole now visible, as seen in the second image.

Pull forward the spring-loaded metallic handle (yellow arrow) and open the plastic part revealing the gripping gear as seen in the third image.

Feed filament through this area.

replace plastic part and metallic handle as before as well as the tabs that were opened at first.

Rotate the orange knob where the top of the knob is moving forward (clockwise) until the filament passes through the filament sensor all the way to the orange arrow (about 2 mm past the filament sensor).

Select 'Extrude' on the touchscreen

Select 'Load'.

Wait for the nozzle to heat up.

Watch for the polymer to extrude out of the nozzle to verify that the filament has been successfully loaded.

The print can now be started or resumed.

If there are any issues, contact the Lab Director for assistance.