Introduction
This guide will detail the process of swapping filament before starting a print. If you have already started a print and the filament has run out, please see this guide instead.
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Failure to choose the correct filament that corresponds to the printing profile you selected can cause your print to fail or damage the printer.
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If it is determined that you used the wrong filament for the printing profile you selected you may have your printing authorization revoked and be required to complete the certification process again.
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When in doubt, please ask a Maker-E Assistant.
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Image courtesy of: https://filament2print.com/
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There are typically a number of opened rolls of filament in circulation near the 3D printers. They can be found in the blue cabinets below the Fusion3 printers.
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If filament is running low in those cabinets you can check in the Maker-E storage room.
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If you cannot locate an opened roll of filament you wish to use, you may open a new roll. However, please be a Good Maker - if there are already multiple open rolls to choose from, please do not open yet another roll of filament. Filament degrades once exposed to air so we want to minimize the number of rolls open at a time.
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To start unloading the current roll of filament, select the following options:
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Maintain Printer
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Filament
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Unload Filament
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The printer will begin heating up to the extruding temperature. Once it reaches this temperature, the Fusion should automatically begin ejecting the filament.
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Several feet of filament weill be unloaded from the printer. Please be ready to wind this filament back onto the roll as it is unloaded.
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When the filament is completely unloaded from the printer, be sure to tuck the end of the filament into one of the side holes of the roll so that the filament does not unspool.
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Place the properly secured filament roll back in the correct cabinet. Pay attention to filament type and be sure to store it in the properly labelled cabinet!
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As with any of the printers in the Maker-E, always make sure to snip the end of the filament at approximately a 45 degree angle. This will make it easier to feed the filament through the printer.
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Place the filament spool onto the white plastic spindle and slot it into the orange spool tracks on the side of the filament compartment.
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Lift the cover on the extruder housing and insert the filament into the white tube at the rear. Push the filament into the tube until it stops.
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Once the filament stops, use the orange feed wheel on the right side of the extruder housing to manually feed the filament through the feed tube. Do this until about 1 inch of filament appears inside of the white plastic tube at the rear of the extruder. The tube is semi-opaque so it is a little difficult to see the filament.
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Make sure that you follow this step, or else there is a chance that the filament won't catch and you will be unable to start your print. If you bring more than about 1 inch of filament into the white Bowden tube you may damage the printer!
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With the filament properly loaded in the extruder, press the Load Filament button on the LCD.
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The hot end will heat up to temperature. Once the set point is reached the filament will rapidly feed into the length of the Bowden tube. Once it nears the hotend it will slow and gradually extrude from the nozzle.
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After several minutes the extrusion will stop and your filament is now successfully loaded. The LCD will display a message indicating the load is complete. Press the red X in the top right to exit this window. Then press Back twice to return to the main print screen.
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You will see a small pile of extruded filament on the print surface. Be sure to remove this before starting your print.
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Your filament is now loaded! Happy printing!
Your filament is now loaded! Happy printing!
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One Comment
Hello, I am having technical issues with my printer. I need help getting technical support, and I wanted to ask if you can help. I am having problems loading my filament, every time I load it the wheel somehow rubs against the filament, and causes it to thin. when it finally gets a chance in the V2 Bowden tube, the filament breaks in the tube. How do I remove the broken piece without getting clogged in the tube and if this occurs with old filament?