Cleaning the glass plate
After many prints, a lot of residual adhesive might accumulate on the glass plate, causing an uneven surface that affects print quality. Therefore, regular cleaning of the glass plate is recommended. Before cleaning, please turn off the machine and ensure the glass plate has cooled down.
Removing the glass plate
1. Manually lower the print bed to the bottom of the machine. This step is to avoid damaging the print head and the Z-axis lead screw of the support platform.
2. Use an Allen key to open the two small clamps at the front of the print bed.
3. Slide the glass plate out from the two small clamps at the back of the print bed and then remove it.
Cleaning and replacing
When cleaning, it is recommended to rinse with warm water and brush off any residual adhesive. If necessary, you can also use soapy water. Dry the glass plate before putting it back.
The steps to put the glass plate back are the reverse of removing it:
1. Slide the glass plate into the two small clamps at the back of the platform and secure it.
2. Close and secure the small clamps at the front of the platform.
TIPS! To ensure future print quality and success rate, it is recommended to perform a print bed leveling after replacing the glass plate.
Feeder motor
Proper use and maintenance of the feeder motor are crucial for the machine's extrusion.
Pressure
For the filament to be smoothly extruded into the feeder tube and nozzle, the correct pressure of the feeder motor is very important. If the pressure is too high, the feeder wheel inside the motor will dig into the filament, causing it to deform or create holes, or even worse, completely jam. To avoid the above situations, try to loosen the feeder motor pressure as much as possible. The adjustment method is as follows:
1. First, you can see a white pressure indicator on the right side of the feeder motor.
2. If the pressure indicator is at the top, it means the feeder motor pressure is at its loosest state.
3. If the white indicator is not at the top, insert an Allen key into the small hole on the upper side of the motor and turn it clockwise to release the pressure, returning the white indicator to the top.
Cleaning
After multiple prints, some plastic debris will accumulate on the feeder roller. You can use an air blower or brush to clean it. Of course, after solving the problem of excessive pressure mentioned above, you should clean it again.
Lubrication
To ensure your 3D printer operates smoothly, remember to lubricate it after a period of use.
X/Y-axis lubrication
When you notice that the layer thickness of a 3D printed object is inconsistent, or the X/Y axes feel dry, it indicates that the machine needs lubrication. It is recommended to apply 1-2 drops of sewing machine oil (not included in the Ultimaker 2 package) to the X/Y axes for lubrication.
Note! Do not use WD40 for lubrication, as it will dissolve the plating on the X/Y axes.
Z-axis lead screw
The Ultimaker 2 package includes a packet of green Magnalube lubricant. It is recommended to lubricate the Z-axis lead screw approximately every six months. The method is as follows:
1. Apply 10 drops of Magnalube lubricant along the entire lead screw.
2. Move the print bed up and down to spread the lubricant along the entire lead screw.
Note! Do not use Magnalube lubricant on any axes other than the Z-axis lead screw.
Nozzle cleaning method
After using your Ultimaker 2 3D printer for a while, you might notice signs of extrusion problems: such as objects becoming very thin or some layers not being fully printed. This means your Ultimaker 2 is no longer extruding enough plastic. In most cases, this is caused by the nozzle being clogged with some dirt or carbonized plastic. If you also encounter these extrusion issues, it is recommended to use the following method to clean the nozzle and other heated parts. Below is a description of this simple but very effective method.
Tips! It is also recommended to perform the following steps when changing from a filament that requires a higher temperature to one that requires a lower temperature.
Removing the filament
1. Go to MATERIAL > CHANGE to remove the filament. When the machine prompts you to insert new filament, select CANCEL.
2. Manually move the extruder to the front of the Ultimaker 2 to help you proceed to the next step.
Removing the feeder tube
1. Remove the (blue or red) feeder tube retaining clip.
2. Press down on the white feeder tube connector and pull out the feeder tube.
Heating and preparing
1. Cut about 20 cm of filament and try to straighten it as much as possible.
2. Using Ultimaker 2, select MAINTENANCE > ADVANCED > Heatup nozzle and set it to 260 degrees.
3. Once the temperature is reached, insert the straightened filament and manually push it down into the nozzle.
4. Push the filament slightly until filament is extruded from the nozzle or until the filament can no longer advance.
Pulling out the filament
1. Lower the temperature to 80-90 degrees (for PLA) or 110 degrees (for ABS).
2. After the nozzle cools to the target temperature, wait 2-3 minutes, then quickly and steadily pull out the filament.
3. Check the color and shape of the filament tip to see if it is clean and has the conical shape of the nozzle tip.
4. Repeat the Heating and preparing and Pulling out the filament steps until the pulled-out filament has no residue and has a conical shape.
Tips! The key is to pull out the filament quickly. If you pull too slowly, the filament's elasticity will prevent it from removing dirt.
Reassembly
1. Insert the feeder tube back into the connector and ensure it is fully inserted.
2. Reinstall the feeder tube retaining clip to secure the feeder tube.
If the above methods still cannot solve the nozzle clogging problem,
you can use a 0.35mm needle to clean the nozzle.
After heating, insert the needle from bottom to top,
and repeat until plastic is smoothly extruded.
Article source:https://ultimaker.com/en/support/152-cleaning-the-glass-plate
Translated by:3DMART Ltd.