Install Extruder Nozzle

Mount the 3mm bolt nozzle to the extruder with a socket wrench and tighten the bolt to secure it on. This can be done with the extruder all the way off.

Set Material Temperatures

Extrusion temperatures are significantly lower. Since there is no need to bond with layers, the temperatures need to only be hot enough to melt the plastic scraps together.

ABS Temperatures

165C to 180C

PLA Temperatures

160C to 170C

Tweak Settings

The temperature ranges are approximate. It will require some trial and error to determine the right processing temperatures. Keep notes of actual temperature settings with different types of plastics, along with other operational notes, to develop a procedure that works well in your situation.

Feed Hopper

Once the machine is heated, fill the hopper half way. Use a cleaning brush to remove any material from the controls and inside the walls of the hopper. As you add more material, stir up the current material to mix up the blend.

Break in Steps

You'll need to clean out the extruder from the manufacturing process. Use the plastic pellets that is included with the filabot and extrude for about 2 hours. Keep extruding filament until the metal shaving are cleaned out of the feed screws.

Coiling Extrusion

Elevate the extruder at least 24in to 40in off the ground to allow the filament to properly coil. Place the extruder on a well supported surface with the extruder facing the edge of the surface. Try to avoid tampering with the filament as its extruding, even the slightest movement can cause the filament to dent.

Guide Filament

Gently guide the filament into a natural spiral, either direction works fine. To get a consistent filament, avoid tugging on the filament. Touching the filament will cause inconsistencies in the filament diameter. Touching the filament while its extruding introduces bends and changes in the diameter.

The goal is to make the filament coil so you can spool it.

Place a fan about 2 feet away from the extruder. Point it to the coil on the ground to cool down the filament. This helps the filament solidify quicker.

The start of the spiral is the hardest, but once it has spiraled around twice it should take care of itself and self coil.

Measure diameter

After the filament has coiled a few more times, carefully measure the filament diameter from the filament in the coil. If filament is too large increase the temperature of the of the extruder by a few degrees, if the filament is too small lower the temperature by a few degrees.