3D printing nozzle clogged

Snapmaker 2.0
11

Hi there,

Yes, its always a little frustrating to lose a print half way through… but this should be an easy fix.

Here are a couple of steps to try to clear out the clog (first Without removing anything from the printer).

  1. Go to the settings (Swipe Right) and go to Nozzle (bottom of screen)
  2. adjust the temperature to the highest your filament is rated for (if its PLA for example you can go to 220C)
  3. as the temperature is heating (usually around 200C) your can open the filament loading door and simply push or pull the filament with your fingers from the top of the loading hole.
  4. at the specific temperature it will just push through or pull out.

I like to get a feel of the pressure that is necessary to push the filament through. This is because its a good indication of how much work the Snapmaker has to do to feed the filament. If its hard to push through at a specific temperature (for example 200C) the push the temperature up 10C until it becomes relatively easy to push through. (I find that I print at the high end of the filament temperatures with my Snapmaker 2.0 A350)

You can also use the Load Button, and it will automatically push the filament through. If you hear “Clicking” then the filament is jammed and not pushing through (usually because its too cold)

#2 Another simple trick is to use a .04mm Acupuncture needle to push up through the nozzle and use it as a pipe cleaner… if you have anything jammed in the print head it will be pushed up. (be careful if the print head is at 200C it will be HOT)

#3 if you have printed with another filament of another type (for example TPU) that prints at higher temperatures you must be sure you run the new filament at that higher temperature FIRST when loading and clear out the old filament.

When all else fails, then you can remove the print nozzle from the printer simply with the small allen key in the front of the door and pull gently down. You should see the connector wire pull down as well and disconnect it.
Then you can disassemble the three parts of the “hot end”:

  1. the Nozzle
  2. Heating element
  3. Feeder tube (AKA heat break)

I have taken the nozzle and put a blow torch to it to burn out all the old filament. the feeder tube has a tiny plastic part inside it on the Snapmaker brand hot end (dont lose it).

You can then use the acupuncture needle to clean the nozzle and a small drill bit to clean the feeder tube. (Note: I ordered extra small drill bits for a hand drill to put axles in my 3d parts)

Good luck,
Chris

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