1. Clean the glass plate
2. Feeder motor
3. Lubrication
4. Nozzle cleaning method
Clean the glass plate
After multiple prints, there may be a lot of residual adhesive adhering to the glass plate, causing an uneven surface that affects print quality. Therefore, it is recommended to regularly clean the glass plate. Before cleaning, please turn off the machine and ensure the glass plate has cooled down.
Remove the glass plate
1. Manually lower the print bed to the bottom of the machine. This step is to avoid damaging the nozzle and the Z-axis lead screw that supports the platform.
2. Use an Allen wrench 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.
Clean and put back
When cleaning, it is recommended to rinse with warm water and brush off any residual adhesive. If necessary, you can also wash with 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 print bed leveling again after putting the glass plate back.
Feeder motor
Proper use of the feeder motor is crucial for the machine's extrusion.
Pressure
For the filament to be smoothly extruded into the Bowden tube and nozzle, the correct pressure of the feeder motor is very important. If the pressure is too high, the feeder roller inside the motor will dig into the filament, deforming it or creating holes, or even worse, completely jamming it.
To avoid the above situations, try to adjust the feeder motor's pressure to the correct position. 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. Under normal circumstances, please keep the white pressure indicator in the middle. You can adjust the tightness by rotating the small hole in the upper right corner of the feeder with a screw, according to the material used and printing conditions.
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 the same layer of 3D printed objects is inconsistent, or the X/Y axes feel too dry, it means the machine needs lubrication. It is recommended to apply 1 or 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 green tube of Magnalube lubricant. It is recommended to lubricate the Z-axis lead screw about once every six months. The method of use 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 evenly over 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 certain layers not being completely printed. This means your Ultimaker 2+ is no longer extruding enough plastic. In most cases, this is caused by the nozzle being clogged with dirt or carbonized plastic. If you encounter these extrusion issues, it is recommended to use the following method to clean the nozzle and other heating components. The following describes this simple but very effective process.
Tips! It is also recommended to perform the following actions when switching from a filament that requires a higher temperature to one that requires a lower temperature.
Remove the filament
1. Go to MATERIAL > CHANGE to remove the filament. When the machine asks 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 smoothly.
Remove the Bowden tube
1. Remove the (blue or red) Bowden tube retaining clip.
2. Press down on the white Bowden tube connector and pull out the Bowden tube.
Heat up and prepare
1. Cut about 20 cm of filament and try to straighten it as much as possible.
2. Using the Ultimaker 2+, select MAINTENANCE > ADVANCED > Heatup nozzle and set it to 260 degrees.
3. When the temperature is reached, insert the straightened filament and manually push it down to the nozzle.
4. Push the filament slightly until filament is extruded from the nozzle or until the filament can no longer advance.
Pull out the filament
1. Lower the temperature to 80-90 degrees (for PLA) or 110 degrees (for ABS).
2. After the nozzle has cooled to the target temperature, wait 30 seconds to 1 minute, then quickly and steadily pull out the filament.
3. Check the color and shape of the filament end to see if it is clean and has the conical tip of the nozzle.
4. Repeat the two steps of Heat up and prepare and Pull out the filament 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 will not be able to carry out the dirt due to its elasticity.
Reassemble
1. Insert the Bowden tube back into the connector and ensure it is fully inserted.
2. Reinstall the Bowden tube retaining clip to secure the Bowden 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/manuals/ultimaker-3d-printers/ultimaker-2-plus/maintenance
Translated by: 3DMART Ltd.