As an official distributor, 3DMART provides everyone with a Chinese tutorial: Ultimaker 2+ Unboxing Guide for Beginners!
From unboxing to setup, and then to 3D printing your first object, clear videos with complete explanations will help you quickly overcome the initial learning curve!
Table of Contents:
1. Unboxing
2. Assembly
3. Calibration
4. Loading Filament
5. Printing
1. Unboxing
Starting the unboxing process:
The Ultimaker 2+ is shipped in a specially designed durable package. Please follow the steps below to unbox it correctly and ensure the reusability of the packaging.
Accessory Box:
Unfasten the straps and remove the accessory box. Open the accessory box, and you will find a quick start guide.
Removing the foam packaging:
First, you will see a roll of PLA and sample prints on the foam board at the front of the machine; remove them first.
Second, remove the foam boards from the front and back of the machine.
Finally, remove the foam board from underneath the machine.
Note! When moving, please hold the machine frame and avoid applying force to the belts and the print head's moving axis.
Removing protective components:
Lift the print platform with both hands and remove the protective air cushion underneath.
Cut and remove the cable tie next to the print head.
Your Ultimaker 2 is now ready for use.
Contents:
The following accessories are included in the Ultimaker 2 package:
1. 0.75kg PLA
2. Power adapter and power cord
3. Filament spool holder
4. USB cable
5. Olsson Block Nozzle Set
6. Glue stick
7. Lubricant
8. Calibration card
9. Hex key
10. Sample prints
11. Glass plate
2. Assembly
Spool holder:
First, insert the upper part of the spool holder into the socket at the back of the machine, then press down the spool holder to engage the latch.
Glass plate:
The glass plate is the print surface on which the Ultimaker 2+ prints objects.
Use the hex key to open the two metal clamps at the front of the print platform.
Place the glass plate with the sticker facing up (front side), and gently slide the glass plate onto the print platform until it clicks into the two metal clamps at the back of the platform.
Finally, close the metal clamps at the front of the platform, and you're done.
Power supply:
The final step of assembly is connecting the power cord. Before connecting, make sure the machine's switch is in the OFF position.
Connect one end of the power cord to the socket and the other end to the machine; when connecting the machine's plug, insert it with the flat side facing up.
Note! The edges of the metal clamps are sharp, it is recommended to use a hex key to open them.
3. Calibration
First Power-On:
When first powered on, the Ultimaker 2+ will guide you through several print platform calibration steps. First, it performs "homing", where the print platform moves to the bottom, and the print head moves to the back left corner of the machine to hit the limit switch for homing. Then, you can start the print platform's level calibration.
PS: If these 21 steps are not initiated on the first power-on, please go to "Maintenance" > "Advanced" and select "Factory reset".
Platform Leveling:
It is crucial for the first layer to extrude well and adhere to the print platform. If the distance between the platform and the nozzle is too far, the extruded filament will not adhere well to the platform; if the distance is too close, the filament will not be able to extrude from the nozzle. To achieve the correct distance between the nozzle and the platform, please follow the steps below to complete the adjustment. In addition to the first time you power on your Ultimaker 2+, you can also regularly repeat the platform leveling process.
Height Setting:
This is the first step of level calibration. Rotate the knob next to the screen to move the print platform until it is approximately 1mm from the nozzle. The exact precision of this distance is not critical, as long as the platform is close enough to the nozzle without touching it.
Initial Calibration:
Perform initial calibration using the two calibration screws at the front of the platform. Push the knob to the left to raise the platform, and to the right to lower it. Again, aim for the platform to be approximately 1mm from the nozzle.
Fine-tuning:
Use the calibration card for fine-tuning.
Place the calibration card between the platform and the nozzle. Adjust the calibration screws while moving the calibration card to feel the friction between the platform and the nozzle.
The nozzle will automatically select three points for you to repeat the same steps. Adjust the friction between the platform and the nozzle to be consistent at all points.
Note! When fine-tuning, do not push the platform to avoid affecting accuracy.
4. Loading Filament
Placing the filament:
Place the filament on the spool holder in a counter-clockwise direction.
Loading the filament:
Wait for the print head to heat to the target temperature.
Cut the tip of the filament into a sharp shape.
Insert the filament into the feeder motor and push with force until the filament slowly enters the feeding tube.
Before the filament reaches the first feeding tube clamp, press the knob next to the screen to continue automatic feeding.
After pressing continue, the filament will quickly reach the print head.
After the filament heats to the preset temperature, it will automatically extrude from the print head.
During the process, you may notice some clicking sounds from the feeder motor. This is normal when the motor encounters greater resistance, so there's no need to worry. You can also slightly push the filament to help the motor feed.
Note! Do not touch the hot print head to avoid burns.
Note! The color of the filament extruded at first may be different from what you loaded. This might be residual filament color from factory testing. Once the residual filament is completely extruded, the color will return to normal.
5. Printing
First Print:
After completing the print platform leveling and loading the filament, you can begin your first print. Ultimaker has preloaded several print files onto the included SD card; please select one to start your first print.
After selecting a print file, the Ultimaker 2 will automatically home the print platform and print head again, then begin heating the print head and heated bed. This process takes approximately 5 minutes.
During printing, the screen will display the printing progress and remaining time. After printing is complete, please wait for the platform to cool down before removing the printed object.
TIP: To ensure better adhesion of the printed object to the platform, you can apply a thin layer of glue stick to the platform.
Article source: https://ultimaker.com/en/manuals/18767-unboxing
Translation: 3DMART Ltd.