Removing Clogs From The Extruder - CraftBot FLOW GENERATION IDEX User Manual

13. Repeat the process for the top side of the Z-axis rods the same as you performed on the bottom side:
protective rag behind threaded rod, spray, wipe off excess lubricant on other two outside rods.
14. Power up the Craftbot once again and raise the build plate back up to the highest position (set the X, Y and Z to
the home position).
15. Turn the Craftbot printer off and unplug it from the power supply.
16. Wipe off any excess lubricant from the bottom side of the Z-axis rods.
17. Power up your Craftbot once again and move the build plate back to the lowest point.
18. Turn the Craftbot printer off and unplug it from the electrical outlet.
19. Wipe off any excess lubricant from the top side of the Z-axis rods.
20. Power up the Craftbot once again and raise the build plate back up to the highest position.
21. Turn the Craftbot printer off and unplug it from the electrical outlet. The motors will now disengage so that you
can move the extruders freely by hand.
22. Use an oiled rag to lubricate the X and Y linear rails. Do not spray from above! Move the extruders back and forth
by hand to both extremes of the axes. When the extruders move absolutely smoothly you are finished.

7.3. Removing clogs from the extruder

The number one inconvenience that you will run across when 3D printing is clogging of the extruder. But we have
good news for you! This problem can be easily avoided by following a few simple rules of "3D printing etiquette".
• First, always wait until the extruder is fully heated ti its intended temperature before inserting the filament.
Inserting the filament at a lower temperature is just asking for a clog.
•
Heat up the extruder and then secure the screw on the top of the extruder. Now you can move the filament
smothly. After the process don't forget to loosen this screw again!
• When unloading or changing the filament: always heat up the extruder completely first. Then "Extrude" for 5
seconds and then immediately press "Reverse", helping filament retrieval by pulling a little bit on the filament end
coming out of the extruder with your fingers. The "Extrude" operation is necessary because the hotend needs to
melt the whole previously melted filament.
•
If the extruder is clogged, you will need to clean its passageway. You can use one of the small hex wrenches that
came with the Craftbot. To do so, heat up the extruder to 250°C. While the extruder is empty push any excess
filament out by plunging the hex wrench down into the passageway: Make sure to do this with sufficient force but
not violently to avoid damaging the machine, and always take precautions because the extruder is very hot.
• It is especially important to purge any leftover filament before using a different filament as the different filament's
properties (even the same material in a different color) can cause clogs from inconsistencies. For example: you
must heat up to 250°C to clear out any extra ABS before using PLA.
Clogging is the most common problem in every 3D printer and cannot be prevented 100%, but if you follow these
simple steps you will prevent 95% of all occurrences. If you still cannot clear the passage with just this method, you
may want to move onto the next method by following these next steps to actually remove the nozzle itself...
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