These instructions will work for most 3D printers, including the Creality Ender 3, Voxelab Aquila S2, and Anycubic Kobra. However, it’s always good to read the manual for your 3D printer before using it. This will help you understand how the printer works and how to use its features.
How to Change the Filament on Your 3D Printer
One reason to change filaments is to improve the quality of the fabric.
You need to change the filament to achieve an effect. The current filament is damaged.
The steps to changing filament are the same no matter what the reason.
1. Power Up Your Printer
If your printer is not printing correctly, it might be because the nozzle is not hot enough to change the filament. If this is the case, you will need to heat up the nozzle with a lighter or a stovetop before loading in new filament. ..
2. Set the Desired Temperature of the Hot End
If you have not already preheated the hot end, you will need to do so before loading the filament into the printer. The recommended printing temperature range for the filament is (if any) 350-400 degrees Fahrenheit and the recommended printing temperature for the filament is 375 degrees Fahrenheit.
The new filament is loading while the old filament is still in the nozzle. If the old filament isn’t melted by the nozzle temperature, it can clog up and prevent the printer from printing correctly.
To switch to PLA, you would need to set the temperature for PLA to a lower value, such as 3.3 or 3.6 degrees Celsius.
3. Remove the Old Filament
Some printers will have a menu option on the printer’s LCD screen to unload the existing filament. On other printers, this might be a completely manual process. Refer to your printer’s documentation. If it’s automatic, use that option and follow the on-screen instructions.
If you are having trouble removing the old filament from the printer, try moving the printer’s Move axis by 50mm. ..
Disable the stepper motors and send a g-code command to the robot to move it.
Some Ender 3 printers have a manual extruder lever that can be used to release the filament from the stepper motor. Gently pull the filament until it’s completely separated from the printer. Be careful not to pull too hard. You might break the filament.
If you have a lot of resistance when printing, make sure the hot end temperature is correct and the stepper motors are off. If you have a Bowden extruder, ensure that you’re using the manual extruder lever if necessary.
After removing the filament, blow some compressed air into the extruder gear to remove any plastic flakes that might have accumulated.
4. Prepare and Load the New Filament
Check the new filament for any defects. Feel for any weak spots or gouges. If you find any, cut it off and discard it. Your fingers are very sensitive, so take a few steps down the filament to see if you can feel anything amiss. ..
Keep an eye on the filament while you’re inspecting it to make sure it doesn’t get tangled or cross-threaded. ..
To prepare the new filament, use a wire snip or razor blade to cut the filament at a 45-degree angle. It should feel sharp at the tip. This ensures that it easily slides into the printer. Put the filament spool on the spool holder before you continue.
If your printer has a menu option for loading filament, find it and follow the on-screen instructions. If your printer does not have a menu option for loading filament, you will need to use the manual release as you thread the new filament through the Bowden tube. ..
If your printer has a filament runout detector, make sure you load filament through the nozzle. Push the filament through until purging is complete, and you see melted filament coming out of the nozzle. Confirm that the color matches the color of the new filament you’re loading.
After you’ve changed the filament, make sure your hot end temperature is set to the recommended temperature for your newly-loaded filament. If you loaded it manually, once it has hit the target temperature, push a little more filament through. If the hot end temperature is set higher than the filament you’re loading, you’ll want to load the new filament quickly and adjust the hot end temperature right away so the filament doesn’t get too hot.
Remove any extraneous filament from the nozzle by using a clean cloth and a gentle stream of water. Make sure the nozzle is ready to go by cleaning it with a mild detergent.
What to Do If You Run Out of Filament in the Middle of a Print
If you have a filament run-out detector, your printer will alert you that you’ve run out of filament. Follow the steps above for removing the old filament and loading the new filament.
If you’re printing with a filament that’s running out of space, it’s important to load a new spool of filament before the existing one runs out. If the new spool is too short, you might have to take your hot-end apart to get it out. A run-out sensor can help you avoid this problem. If your printer doesn’t have one, consider adding one.
If you’re using the same type of filament as before, you can leave the hot end temperature as is. Otherwise, follow the instructions above. ..
If your printer doesn’t have a settings menu option to change filament, you can send an m600 g-code to the printer. That will pause the print and move the print head out of the way so it’s not touching your print. Now you can load the new filament as described above. Send the m602 g-code to resume the print.
If you’re having trouble printing with 3D filament, be sure to check out our troubleshooting tips for 3D filament prints that go wrong. ..
