Loading and Unloading a Filament Spool

Filament Loading / Unloading

Loading the filament

Loading or changing the filament is an assisted procedure on the FABtotum. The user just need to follow the on-screen instructions and perform a series of tasks to allow the unit to safely insert or remove the filament from the system.
The task is slightly different, depending on the version of the unit and installed Printing Head.
Please refer to the paragraph concerning each Head before proceeding.

IMPORTANT:
The correct Head must be installed using the FABUI Maintenance > Head Installation procedure before proceeding with loading or unloading a spool.

Tools

Safety

Notice

Printing Head PRO

Open the compartment on the right of your FABtotum;
place the spool as shown;
cut the excess filament and sharpen the tip with scissors in order to facilitate entry;
insert the filament in the Filament Hole or Filament Tube (according to device version): this is located near the “insert Filament” label in one corner of the comparment.
Push the filament all the way up to the Head.
Go to “Maintenance” -> “Spool” -> “Load spool” to start the guided procedure.

Printing Head Lite / V2, Hybrid Head

Go to “Maintenance” -> “Spool” -> “Load spool” to start the guided procedure.

Open the compartment on the right of your FABtotum;
cut the excess filament and sharpen the tip (a slanting cut will do);
insert the filament in the PTFE tube until you reach the feeder (you can feel it: last cm becomes harder and then you cannot push further);
help the filament to be loaded and gently pull it when asked by the FABUI;
wait until some plastic comes out melted from the nozzle.

Unloading the filament

Printing Head PRO

Go to “Maintenance”-> “Spool” -> “Unload spool” to start the guided procedure.

Wait for the nozzle to reach melting temperature;
when the temperature is reached remove the feeding tube by pushing down the black cap AND pulling the feeding tube up.
press “Start” to unload the filament;
the filament will be extracted from the bowden tube, assist gently to retrieve the leftover filament.

Printing Head Lite / V2, Hybrid Head

Go to “Maintenance”-> “Spool” -> “Unload spool” to start the guided procedure.

Wait for the nozzle to reach melting temperature;
when the temperature is reached remove the bowden by pushing on the pushfit and pulling it out;
Cut the exceeding molten filament (if you don’t, it can get stuck in the bowden);
open the compartment on the right;
press “Start” to unload the filament;
the filament will be extracted from the bowden tube, assist gently to retrieve the leftover filament.

Notice: we suggest to discard any previously used portion of the filament after it’s processed into the feeder, as it can be compressed and grinded during the extraction.

Filament Loading / Unloading

Loading the filament

Printing Head PRO

Printing Head Lite / V2, Hybrid Head

Unloading the filament

Printing Head PRO

Printing Head Lite / V2, Hybrid Head

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