Shutdown and changing filament
As I am new to owning and running a 3D printer, one thing I have not seen in the manual is how to properly shut down the printer when done for the day. I am not at the point to be running 24/7/365.25. 🙂
I searched on the net and what I found was it was best to let the hot end fan stop before turning power off to help prevent clogs in the hot end. That is what I did today but I would like to know the proper procedure.
Second, changing filaments. I have done a test with changing filaments of the same time with the supplied PLA. I am not sure about changing from PLA to ASA to PETG and back to PLA. All have different temp ranges and I have read enough to feel that it could create issues with clogging if you try to change with the wrong temp on the hotend. If going from a high temp filament to a low temp, is it best to flush under high heat and then pause until the hotend temp is correct and then flush again or is there a different procedure?
RE: Shutdown and changing filament
You can remove the filament each day, or you can leave it loaded in the printer. In the latter case, and depending on your ambient conditions, some filaments can pick up moisture over time.
When you change filament, the process will ask you what the new filament is and set the temperatures accordingly.
Remember to shape the tip of the filament properly for best results: https://help.prusa3d.com/article/filament-not-loading_2014
RE: Shutdown and changing filament
Thank you.
Humidity is not an issue. 25% is my workshop last time I looked. I will eventually have all my filament in tubes/covered due to dirt/dust issues in the workshop. Until then just curious what to do. I waited until the hotend fan quit before shutting down as I have read that it prevent heat from progressing up to cause melting higer up in the print end.
RE: Shutdown and changing filament
I have read that it prevent heat from progressing up to cause melting higer up in the print end.
That's a reasonable logic. Truth is, I shut my printers down whenever I feel like it and have never experienced any heat creep issues. But YMMV.
Filament swaps: the key here is that whenever you switch from high temperature filaments such as ASA to low temperature filaments such as PLA, load the PLA at ASA temperature and purge four or five times to remove residual high temperature filament to avoid partial clogs. Or run a length of cleaning filament through the hotend