Removing and Installing a Gigabot X Nozzle

Overview

The sections in this instructions guide include:

• Reasons for Removing or Installing a Gigabot X Nozzle
• Removing a Gigabot X Nozzle
• Installing a Gigabot X Nozzle
• Removing the Nozzle Receiver
• Installing the Nozzle Receiver

Reasons for Removing or Installing a Gigabot X Nozzle

A Gigabot X nozzle may need to be removed or replaced for a variety of reasons such as:

• Switching between nozzle sizes
• Replacing nozzles that have been worn out by abrasive materials (Note: use hardened steel nozzles with abrasive materials to prevent nozzle wear)
• Troubleshooting nozzle clogs
• Troubleshooting nozzle or nozzle receiver leaks

Gigabot X nozzles have M6 threads and come in 0.4mm, 0.8mm, 1.75mm, and 2.85mm standard sizes. Custom nozzle sizes may be machined by re:3D by request.

Removing a Gigabot X Nozzle

1. Heat the bottom heat zone to at least the melting temperature of the last material printed. Wait for the heat zone to reach temperature.
2. Use a 7mm wrench to unscrew the nozzle from the nozzle receiver. Warning: nozzle will be hot, and will transfer heat to any metal wrench used to remove it.
3. Place the nozzle on a sacrificial piece of cardboard or material other than the print bed for the nozzle to cool.

Installing a Gigabot X Nozzle

1. Ensure that the Gigabot X nozzle receiver is installed at the bottom of the extruder barrel. It should have an M6 tapped hole to receive a nozzle.
2. Heat the bottom heat zone to at least the melting temperature of the last material printed. Wait for the heat zone to reach temperature.
3. Remove any excess melted material from the bottom of the nozzle receiver.
4. Use a 7mm wrench to screw the nozzle into the nozzle receiver. Warning: nozzle will be hot, and will transfer heat to any metal wrench used on it.
5. Torque the nozzle to 65 in-lbs for hardened steel nozzles, and 32 in-lbs for brass nozzles. Note that all Gigabot X nozzles sold starting in 2022 are hardened steel.
6. Heat all heat zones to operating temperatures and purge before attempting the next print.

Removing the Nozzle Receiver

Occasionally the nozzle receiver may need to be removed for reasons such as:

• Dislodging a large clog that couldn't be purged with the nozzle removed
• Accessing the extruder screw

The nozzle receiver can be removed with or without the nozzle installed in the receiver. To remove the nozzle receiver:

1. Heat the bottom heat zone to at least the melting temperature of the last material printed. Wait for the heat zone to reach temperature.
2. If needed, lower the bed by at least 150mm to facilitate access to the nozzle receiver.
3. Place cardboard or another sacrificial material beneath the nozzle to protect the bed. A hot nozzle receiver can damage the PrintinZ print surface if it falls on the bed.
4. Use a 2.5mm hex head screwdriver to undo the 4 M3 screws holding the [12219] GBX Extruder Barrel Cover Rear to the [12142] GBX Extruder Barrel Cover Front. Remove the GBX Extruder Barrel Cover Rear and set aside.
5. Use an 8mm wrench to remove the M5 nut holding the GBX Extruder Barrel Cover Front to the extruder. Remove the GBX Extruder Barrel Cover Front. The bottom half of the extruder should now be exposed.
6. Clamp a vise grip onto the extruder barrel right below the heat sink to hold the extruder in place and provide leverage while unscrewing the nozzle receiver.
7. 
8. Use a ⅝” size wrench to unscrew the nozzle receiver. It should be turned clockwise if looking down at the bed or counter-clockwise if looking up from the bed. Warning: the nozzle receiver will be hot, and will transfer heat to any metal wrench used on it.
9. After removal, place the hot nozzle receiver on a surface that can withstand the high temperature (not the print bed) while the nozzle receiver cools.

Installing the Nozzle Receiver

1. Heat the bottom heat zone to at least the melting temperature of the last material printed. Wait for the heat zone to reach temperature.
2. If needed, lower the bed by at least 150mm to facilitate access to the nozzle receiver.
3. If the GBX Extruder Barrel Cover Front and Rear are installed, remove them following the instructions in the previous section.
4. Clamp a vise grip onto the extruder barrel right below the heat sink to hold the extruder in place and provide leverage while installing the nozzle receiver.
5. Place a brass crush washer on the threaded end of the nozzle receiver.
6. Remove any excess melted material from the bottom of the extruder barrel.
7. Screw the nozzle receiver into the barrel, then tighten with a 5/8" wrench it until it is completely secure. A torque setting has not been established for this process yet. Warning: the nozzle receiver will be hot, and will transfer heat to any metal wrench used on it.

Note: Some older versions of GBX have nozzles that combine the functions of the nozzle receiver and the current nozzles. Follow the directions for the nozzle receiver above to remove and install these types of nozzles.

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