Swapping V6 nozzles once adapter installed
Hi Folks,
I've recently upgraded my MK4 to have a V6 adapter so I can use a few different nozzles - basically just playing around and experimenting with different types as I slowly learn more about 3d printing.
I managed to swap from the standard Prusa 0.4 nozzle to the adapter and an E3D Nozzle X 0.8 with no problems and was up printing again straight away. (I now realise I may need to do a Live Z adjustment beyond just switching to the Prusa profiles in PrusaSlicer so will do that...)
What I'm not clear on is the process to swap V6 nozzles now I have the adapter installed, specifically if I need to do anything with the temperature of the block when removing/installing a V6 nozzle. Do I need to heat it up to "break" the seal on the existing nozzle and then insert the new one when cold. Similarly do I need to heat the block up again to do the final tightening of the new nozzle.
I took a punt and did it all cold, and have unfortunately bent my first V6 adapter by trying to remove the existing nozzle when cold. Also managed to bend the flat spanner included in the MK4 kit - definitely on a learning curve here! Luckily I have more than 1 adapter but now need to wait for a replacement thermal block as it turned into a bit of a disaster getting the 0.8 nozzle out... I had to resort to tools that were too much for the material! Ooops - lesson learned the hard way.
I'm hoping others with experience of this on a MK3 or other can share their experiences.
Best Answer by EMarrs:
You shouldn’t need to adjust z on mk4. The nozzle itself touches the bed to calibrate offset.
I assume you need to remove the v6 nozzle while hot. On another non prusaslicer printer, I sheared a nozzle off attempting to remove it cold.
when I installed my nozzle x /v6 adapter, I hand tightened the v6 adapter. I then hand tightened the nozzle cole. 3rd I heated nozzle up and torqued 1.5nm on the nozzle. I’ve been running it for a few weeks without issue.
v6 requires hot nozzle swaps.
RE: Swapping V6 nozzles once adapter installed
You shouldn’t need to adjust z on mk4. The nozzle itself touches the bed to calibrate offset.
I assume you need to remove the v6 nozzle while hot. On another non prusaslicer printer, I sheared a nozzle off attempting to remove it cold.
when I installed my nozzle x /v6 adapter, I hand tightened the v6 adapter. I then hand tightened the nozzle cole. 3rd I heated nozzle up and torqued 1.5nm on the nozzle. I’ve been running it for a few weeks without issue.
v6 requires hot nozzle swaps.
RE: Swapping V6 nozzles once adapter installed
Thanks for that.
Yeah, realised Z adjust isn't needed after I'd posted - I was looking at documentation for the MK3 printers.
I had another go at swapping nozzles last night and did as you describe - hand tight whilst cold and final torque hot - and it worked a lot better.
RE: Swapping V6 nozzles once adapter installed
For anyone looking for a clarified procedure for swapping V6 nozzles:
- Unload filament
- Heat nozzle to 250c
- Hold heater block in place with wrench and remove old nozzle
- Thread in new nozzle with torque wrench, do not torque yet
- Wait 1 minute, then torque to 1.5Nm
- Cool down nozzle
- Re-tighten side thumbscrews
Note: Nextruder nozzles do not need to be swapped while hot -- the entire nozzle and heatbrake assembly is one complete unit, so the only concern is that it doesn't come loose during print (normal heat cycling will not do this as long as it is torqued properly while cold). V6 as mentioned needs to be done hot as it needs to make sure the nozzle and heat brake are properly mated.
RE: Swapping V6 nozzles once adapter installed
I recommend picking up a 1.5Nm torque wrench so you dont accidentally over tighten. I got mine from Amazon for $35. Made by Slice Engineering.
I followed this guide to install the adapter and v6 nozzle -How to install the Nextruder V6 Nozzle Adapter (MK4)