Unclog the hot ends : Leapfrog Product Support Center

Unclog the hot ends

Modified on: Tue, 10 Mar, 2020 at 12:19 PM

Hello and thank you for choosing the Creatr Dual for your printing needs.

The following solution will instruct you on how to unclog your Leapfrog Creatr Dual 3D printer hot ends.

Safety:

Please keep in mind that due to the high temperature of the extruders direct contact between the surface of the extruders and skin may cause burns.

Tools

For the steps that you will need to take in order to unclog your CreatrHS extruders you will have to have at your disposal the following:

a pair of pliers;
a number 8 pipe wrench or ratchet wrench;
a number 2 and number 1.5 Allen key;
a needle.

Connect to Simplify 3D or Repetier Host

Now connect the printer to the Simplify3D / Repetier Host software on your computer and set the extruders to heat up to around 230-240 degrees Celcius. Wait for the temperature to stabilize and then use the retract command from Simplify3D to try and remove the filament.

Can`t remove filament with retract command?

If you do not manage to remove the filament this way your other option is as follows:

Remove the nozzles

First you have to remove the nozzle from the extruder that is clogged you do this by using the pliers to hold the extruder in place and use the number 8 wrench to remove the nozzle as shown in the picture below Pic.1.

Pic.1

Pull out the extruder

The next step is to pull out the extruder you do this by loosening the grub screw with the number 2 Allen key from hegind the front fan as shown in Pic.2 and then gently remove the extruder.

Pic.2

Heat up the extruder and use the 1.5 Allen key to unclogg the extruder
After pulling out the extruder, heat it up to 240 degrees Celsius and using the pliers to hold onto the extruder so as not to have direct contact between the surface of the extruder and your skin use the number 1.5 Allen key to push through the extruder until the filament that was stuck comes out as you can see in the picture below Pic.3

Pic.3

Depending on how the filament broke you can try to remove it by introducing the number 1.5 Allen key from either side of the extruder.

Let the extruder cool off

Once the extruder is unclogged you can let it cool down before you mount in back up in the carriage. Also at this point make sure to check the nozzle for residue and use a needle to check and see if the vent is clear .

Adjusting the extruders height

After mounting the extruder back into place please read the following instructions from the links below to adjust the extruder height and recalibrate the bed.

How to align both extrusion nozzles to the same height for optimum print quality

How to Calibrate and Level your Leapfrog Creatr Series Glass Print Bed

Thank you for reading the solution and for any other issues please do not hesitate to contact our Leapfrog Support Team.

We wish you happy printing!

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Part 1 of 3: Unpacking your Creatr

In this clip, you will be guided through the unpacking of a brand new Creatr. The unboxing along with the location of tie wraps which need to be removed are shown, as well as the process of a connecting the cables to the printer and computer.

Part 2 of 3: Software and configuration

In this clip, we will show you how to install the required software. The first step is to download and install the Arduino software to make it possible for your computer to connect with the printer. The next step is to download and install the Repetier Host Leapfrog software or that controlls your 3D printer. We have tried to make this as simple as possible and also provided direct downloading links per operating system.

SIMPLIFY 3D SOFTWARE
If you are using the new Simplify 3D software you can follow all the steps except for the Repetier-Host Leapfrog installation and using explanation. Simply download the software via the purchase link and before first use a pop-up will appear showing you the Simplify 3D Quick start guide. You can also download the Quick start guide or access it from the software via help –> Quick start guide. The quick start guide will briefly explain the functions of the software so that you can start your first print.

Please select you operating system and follow the descriptions in the movie.

Operating systemWindows

The first step is to download and install the Arduino software to make it possible for your computer to connect with the printer. The next step is to download and install the newest version of the Repetier Host Leapfrog software as shown in the clip. This software allows you to convert your 3D software file [STL for example] to a printable file [G-Code] and allows you to control your printer. The Repetier Host Leapfrog software contains standard Creatr Print Profiles. Just select the extruder, the filament material as well as the color and Repetier will automatically select the ideal print temperature providing you the best print quality possible. There is also a Leapfrog support button implemented in the software. A Mac version will be available soon.

If you have followed the installation procedure, but you can’t control your Leapfrog Creatr and the “6 commands waiting” message in Repetier-Host Leapfrog won’t disappear, you have to install the 2.8.28 drivers. Please see Solution can’t connect 6 commands waiting in Repetier-Host Leapfrog how to do so.

For a more thorough description of Slic3s settings please check this guide!

Windows 8
To install the Arduino drivers on a computer with Windows 8 follow these steps after downloading the Arduino software.

- Save unsaved work and write the instructions down
[your computer will reboot into startup options screen]
- Press the Windows Key and the ‘R’ key simultaneously
- Copy the command inside the brackets
–>[ shutdown.exe /r /o /f /t 00 ] – Select ‘Troubleshoot’
- Select ‘Advanced options’
- Select ‘Startup Settings’
- Select ‘Disable Driver Signature Enforcement’
- Install driver as usual via device manager

Mac

In this clip, we will explain you how you can generate a STL file using Sketchup. We show you what to download and how to export your design in STL.

Part 3 of 3: Making your first print!

In this final clip, the process of creating your first print will be explained. This starts with removing the callibration print that is already on the print bed. How to insert the filament and operate the Repetier Host Leapfrog software is also shown, which should culminate in your first 3D Print on the Creatr!

Google sketchupHow to export STL files from Sketchup

The first step is to download and install the Arduino software to make it possible for your computer to connect with the printer. You will then need to in stall this driver for OSX to recognize the hardware.

The next step is to download the Repetier software as shown in the clip. This software allows you to convert your 3D software file [STL for example] to a printable file [G-Code] and allows you to control your printer. We have developed standard print profiles for the Creatr. Please follow the instructions below to install the print profiles for Mac [not yet included in the video]:

- Download This file
- Go to your Home Folder on Mac and select “Go to Folder” from the Go Menu en type “Library/Application Support/Slic3r/” - Unzip the file you just downloaded and dump the contents in the Slic3r folder, it will replace your existing settings. If you want to keep your current settings as well, take the contents from each folder and put this in the same folder in the Home/Libaray/App../Slic3r folder.

Download instructions by Deepak Dinesh Mehta For a more thorough description of Slic3s settings please check this guide!

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