GB3+ Filament Loading

Overview 

When loading filament for your Gigabot, there are a few tips that will help you optimize your printing capabilities and avoid common pitfalls. 

Tools needed: 

• Wire cutters 

Instructions:

1. Place your reel of filament on the spool holder, located on the rear of the frame. Be sure to orient the spool so it easily unwinds and feeds into the filament detection unit.
2. Clip the end of the filament so it is free of any defects, tape residue, or other potential sources of print issues.
3. Feed the filament by hand through the filament detection unit and all the way through the guide tube until it reaches the extruder.
4. Wrap the filament cleaner pad around the filament, just below the filament detection unit. Secure using a piece of spiral wrap.
5. Use your Gigabot’s Viki controller to heat the hot end of the extruder you are loading. Select “Prepare” > “Preheat PLA” (or ABS). Alternatively, you can select “Control” > “Temperature,” select your nozzle, and manually set the temperature for the hot ends by scrolling the wheel on the Viki.
6. Navigate back to the info screen (“Control” > “Main”) to verify the target temperatures have been set and your Gigabot is heating.
7. Verify that the filament sits between the drive gear and the idler bearing in the extruder. If it does not, push down on the collar of the Push to Connect, remove the filament guide tube, and place the filament between the drive gear and the idler bearing.
8. Hold open the tensioner to capture the filament between the idler bearing and the drive gear. Push the guide tube into the Push to Connect when finished.
9. Using the Viki, Navigate to “Prepare” > “1mm” > “Move Axis” and select the extruder you are loading. Turn the wheel clockwise until filament is coming out of the nozzle.
10. You may also opt to manually feed filament into the extruder until filament is coming out of the nozzle. Slide the filament into the extruder as outlined in step 7, and push the guide tube into the Push To Connect.

Please note, if you are changing materials or colors, you will want to extrude until all of the previous material or color is out of the hot end.

Questions or concerns? Reach out to our support team at support@re:3D.org or open a support ticket.