Post-Filament Change Workflow
After swapping filaments, proper steps ensure print consistency and avoid nozzle clogs or extrusion issues.
1. Warmup & Purge
- Set nozzle temp to new filament's typical printing temperature.
- Extrude 50-100mm to purge old material completely.
- Observe color consistency; if residues appear, increase extrusion or use cleaning filament.
2. Retraction & Pressure Adjustment
- Check retraction distance: TPU requires less (1-2mm) compared to PLA (4-6mm).
- Adjust retraction speed: slower for flexible filaments, faster for stiff ones.
- Minimize oozing by tuning pressure advance or input shaping if supported.
3. Print a Calibration Line
Print a single-layer line or small square perimeter to judge flow consistency, adhesion, and squish.
4. Temperature Tower
Run a temperature tower to pinpoint ideal extrusion temp for dimensional accuracy and layer adhesion.
5. Flow Rate & Speed Calibration
- Print a flow calibration cube and measure wall thickness; adjust extrusion multiplier.
- Test print speeds: slow for high detail, faster for prototypes. Ensure printer can handle accelerations.
6. Final Test Print
Complete a small functional print (benchy, calibration cube) to confirm all settings.