Table of Contents:
1. Display and Control
2. Changing Filament
3. Print Bed Leveling
4. Software and Firmware
5. Using Adhesives
6. Changing Nozzles
1. Display and Control
The display on the front of the Ultimaker2+ shows all important information. Simply rotate the knob on the right to select the desired item, then press the knob to enter or execute the item.
After turning on the Ultimaker2+, the small screen will first display the Ultimaker logo before entering the main menu. The main menu has three options: Print, Material, and Maintenance.
Pressing the Print option will open the SD card, allowing you to select files from the SD card for printing.
Material
Pressing the Material option allows you to choose between changing filament (Change) or viewing current material settings (Settings). Selecting "Change" will guide you through the filament change process on the display. Selecting "Settings" allows you to further choose the material type, or press "Customize" to change the printing parameters for the material.
Maintenance
Pressing the Maintenance option allows you to select "Build plate" or "Advanced". Selecting "Build plate" allows you to adjust the print bed level. "Advanced" contains many options for manually performing specific operations or adjusting machine parameters.
The "Advanced" menu includes:
- LED settings: Adjust the brightness of the internal LED lights of the Ultimaker 2+.
- Heatup nozzle: Manually set the nozzle temperature to heat the nozzle.
- Heatup buildplate: Manually set the heated bed temperature.
- Home head: Move the print head to the back left of the Ultimaker 2+ for homing.
- Lower buildplate: Lower the print bed to the bottom.
- Raise build plate: Raise the print bed to the top.
- Insert material: Automatically heats the nozzle to load filament.
- Move material: Heats the filament to the target temperature, then rotate the knob to control the feeder motor to move the filament.
- Set fan speed: Control the fan speed on both sides of the print head.
- Retraction settings: Customize retraction settings.
- Version: Displays the firmware version of your Ultimaker 2+.
- Runtime stats: Displays the total power-on and printing time of your Ultimaker 2+.
- Factory reset: Resets your Ultimaker 2+ to factory settings.
Fine-tuning
The Ultimaker2+ allows you to fine-tune settings during printing, giving you complete control over the printing process to help you achieve the best print results. During printing, press the "Tune" option to adjust many settings. The adjustable items are the same as in the "Advanced" option, for example, you can set the printing temperature and printing speed. Or press "Pause" to pause printing, change the filament, and then resume.
2. Changing Filament
What should you do if you want to change the filament type or color? Simply remove the existing filament and then load the new one.
Removing Existing Filament
1. On the small screen, go to the material change menu and select "Material" > "Change".
2. Wait for the nozzle to heat up for about 1 minute to ensure the filament is melted before retracting from the nozzle (the machine will do this automatically).
3. After the nozzle heats up, the feeder motor will automatically reverse to retract the filament. If the retraction is not complete, you can manually pull out the remaining filament.
Loading New Filament
Load the filament in the same way as the first time. Make sure the new filament is placed on the spool holder in the correct direction (counter-clockwise).
1. Cut the tip of the filament to a sharp point.
2. Insert the filament into the feeder motor and push until it is gripped by the motor.
3. Before the filament reaches the first feeder tube clip, press the knob next to the screen to continue automatic feeding.
4. After pressing continue, the filament will be rapidly fed to the nozzle.
5. Once the filament is automatically extruded from the nozzle, press the knob.
Caution! Do not touch the nozzle during the heating process to avoid burns.
Caution! The color of the filament extruded initially may be different from what you loaded. This may be due to residual filament from factory testing. Once the residual filament is completely extruded, the color will return to normal.
3. Print Bed Leveling
The first layer of printing being level is very important, so it is recommended to perform print bed leveling regularly. Of course, if you find that objects can no longer be printed horizontally on the bed, or if the machine has been transported, it is recommended to perform print bed leveling to ensure good adhesion of printed objects to the bed.
Please select "Maintenance" > "Buildplate" on the display. The print head will first automatically home, then move to the rear of the print area, after which you can begin to adjust the bed level.
Height Setting
This is the first step in bed leveling. Rotate the knob next to the screen to move the print bed until it is about 1mm from the nozzle. The exact distance is not critical, just ensure the bed and nozzle are close enough but not touching.
Initial Calibration
Perform initial calibration using the two calibration screws at the front of the print bed. Turning the knob left raises the bed, and turning it right lowers it. Again, aim for about 1mm between the bed and the nozzle.
Fine-tuning
Use a calibration card for fine-tuning.
Place the calibration card between the print bed and the nozzle. Adjust the calibration screws while moving the calibration card to feel the friction between the bed and the nozzle.
The nozzle will automatically select three points for you to repeat the same steps. Adjust the friction between the bed and the nozzle to be consistent.
Note!
Only slight friction is needed; do not over-tighten.
Do not push the bed during fine-tuning to avoid affecting accuracy.
4. Software and Firmware
For slicing software, we recommend the free software Cura, which can quickly and accurately slice your 3D models, allowing you to preview the printed product to ensure all details are correct.
Installation
Download Cura software from the Ultimaker official website to begin installation. The first time you open Cura after installation, you will be asked to select your 3D printer. Select Ultimaker2+ to start using the software.
Using Cura
1. Press "Load" to select a 3D object file (STL, OBJ, DAE, AMF).
2. Choose your desired settings, and Cura will automatically slice the model.
3. After slicing is complete, press "Save GCode" to save the file. It is recommended to save the file to an SD card.
4. After saving, remove the SD card and insert it into the Ultimaker2+ to start printing.
Updating Firmware
The Ultimaker official website periodically releases updated versions of Cura and machine firmware. Please regularly check the official website to ensure your software and firmware are the latest versions.
Please follow these steps to update the Ultimaker2 firmware:
1. Connect your computer to the Ultimaker2+ using a USB cable.
2. Connect the Ultimaker2+ power cable and turn on the power.
3. Open Cura, select "Machine" > "Install default firmware" (please confirm that Cura's Machine menu shows Ultimaker2+). Cura will
automatically update your machine's firmware to the latest version.
For more Cura usage instructions, please refer to the article: [3D Printing Software] New Cura 2.1 Operation Tutorial!
5. Using Adhesives
Although the heated bed of the Ultimaker 2+ allows objects to adhere well, when using 3D printing materials with high shrinkage and proneness to warping, it is still necessary to apply a layer of adhesive to the glass plate to enhance adhesion between the printed object and the glass plate.
When to Use
Depends on the material, size, and shape of the object being used.
For example, ABS and CPE are recommended to be used with adhesives because they are warping materials. Plastics shrink when cooled rapidly, and some plastics shrink more significantly, leading to warping or bending of the bottom (corners) of printed objects. ABS and CPE belong to this type of plastic, so adhesives should be used to prevent warping when using plastics with larger shrinkage.
PLA plastic has low shrinkage and hardly warps, so adhesives are not needed during printing. However, it is important to keep the glass plate clean, free of oil or dust, as these impurities can prevent the plastic from adhering to the glass plate surface. Of course, there are situations where adhesives are needed for this type of plastic; if you are printing an object with a large and thin bottom surface, adhesives may be necessary to prevent the object from detaching.
How to Use
The Ultimaker 2+ comes with a complimentary tube of adhesive. When using it, simply apply a thin layer of adhesive to the print area on the glass plate before heating.
Tip! After applying the adhesive, you can use a damp cloth to lightly wipe it, allowing the adhesive to spread more evenly on the glass plate.
Recommended product! 3D printing specificglue is the nemesis of ABS warping!
6. Changing Nozzles
The Ultimaker2+ nozzle set includes one nozzle each of 0.25mm, 0.4mm, 0.6mm, and 0.8mm diameter, with the 0.4mm nozzle pre-installed on the print head. Follow the steps below to easily and quickly change to a different diameter nozzle.
Removing Existing Nozzle
1. Select “Material” > “Change” to remove the existing filament first.
2. Before removing the nozzle, perform the nozzle cleaning method to minimize the amount of residual plastic in the nozzle, so as not to affect subsequent printing with this nozzle.
3. Maintain the print head temperature at the temperature used during the nozzle cleaning method (e.g., PLA 90 degrees).
4. Use an Allen key to unscrew the nozzle counter-clockwise and remove it.
Installing a New Nozzle
1. Select the nozzle diameter you need, and manually screw it in tightly. The heating block is still hot at this point, so be careful not to touch it.
2. Tighten the nozzle clockwise with an Allen key, being careful not to overtighten to avoid damaging the heating block.
Adjusting Cura Settings
Before printing, remember to adjust the nozzle diameter settings in Cura. Please note that the unit is in mm!
Article source: https://ultimaker.com/en/manuals/18772-display-and-controller
Translated by: 3DMART Ltd.