CLEANING Filament Usage & Material Information

CLEANING filament Use of the cleaning filament

Variant A: (for low impurities -> effort: low -> thoroughness: low)

The cleaning filament can be used both before and after printing.
Before using the cleaning filament, ensure that the extruder temperature is maintained at the extrusion temperature of the previous filament.
Cut off approx. 30cm of the cleaning filament and insert into the extruder and allow to extrude.
This variant should be repeated until the cleaning filament no longer contains any impurities or residual filament.
Once this step is completed, the direction of the filament can be reversed to remove the cleaning filament.

 
Variant B: (for low impurities -> effort: low -> thoroughness: low)

The cleaning filament can also be used as an intermediate filament between different filament types (with different extrusion temperatures or colours).
Before cleaning, make sure that the extruder temperature is maintained at the extrusion temperature of the previous filament.
Insert the cleaning filament into the extruder and allow the old residual filament to exit the extruder completely.
Once this step is completed, the conveying direction can be reversed to remove the cleaning filament.
The extruder temperature can then be reduced or increased to that of the next filament to be used. If the temperature of the next filament to be used is higher than that of the previous one, then repeat the cleaning process at the higher temperature.

 
Variant C: (for heavy impurities -> effort: medium to high -> thoroughness: high)

Cold Pull: Go to approx. 230°C extrusion temperature, push the cleaning filament through until it comes out clean/clear.
Then turn off the heater and watch the temperature drop passively until it is between 85°C and 110°C. Then carefully but decisively pull out the cleaning filament.
The temperature at which the cold pull is done has a strong effect on the cleaning process, so test the process at several different temperatures.
A complete "negative form" of the inner area should have been pulled out.
Usually you can see at the end piece in the area of the nozzle tip that it is glued with residual materials.
Repeat the procedure several times until no residual material sticks to the pulled out piece.
If the area at the nozzle tip is not pulled out, it can help to pierce the nozzle tip from the outside with a nozzle tip cleaner and thus get it free again.

 
The variants given are only recommendations and are not carved in stone. :-) Each printer model and user have different settings and requirements. Therefore, try and test which procedure works best for you and your printer.  
 
CLEANING material summary

Regular and intensive maintenance of your 3D printer is essential for perfect printing results.

Unlike the other filaments that are sold here in the shop, this filament is not used to print objects, but is only intended to clean your printer gland. The filament residues from previous prints should also be removed. In particular, the change between different colors or materials goes smoothly and remnants are completely removed.
Ideally and specially developed for the regular cleaning of your extruder / printer nozzle.

Due to the application, the diameter varies more than with other filaments.

 
CLEANING advantages
 
  • especially for regular nozzle cleaning
  • complete removal of remnants
  • for changing different colors / materials
  • optimal care for your 3D printer
  • airtight and packed with a drying element

CLEANING print area (see PDF instructions for use)
 
 Spool dimensions
 
Z3D
3D-Drucker-Filament.de
1kg (net) 0,5kg (net)
     
Outer Ø: 200mm 200mm
Inne hole: 53mm 53mm
Thickness: 65mm 38mm
 
 
eSun 1kg (net) 0,5kg (net)
     
Outer Ø: 200mm 200mm
Inner hole: 52mm 52mm
Thickness: 70mm 42mm
 

General information about our filaments


Compability:
Our filaments are suitable for all common 3D printers (FDM / FFF - Fused Deposition Modeling / Fused Filament Fabrication).
Nevertheless, the instructions of the printer manufacturer regarding nozzle diameter, filament material, filament diameter and coil dimensions should be observed.

Storage:
Due to the hygroscopic property (ability to bind water) of some materials, we recommend all filaments indoors to store at room temperature and of course dry. Air-tight ZIP bags or containers with the desiccant SILICA are well suited for this.
The filaments should not hang on the printer for a long time, but always be airtight when not in use and stored with sufficient SILICA sealed.
It is also recommended to dry the filament (especially NYLON and PVA materials) before use (see section "Drying")

Desiccation (drying):
Due to the temperature differences on the transport route or through the storage itself, air may have sneaked into the packaging film. Often, the material may have absorbed some moisture between the manufacturing process and sealing (NYLON and PVA are extremely hygroscopic).
Therefore, we recommend drying overnight in a dehydrator (vegetable dryer) or a few hours in a convection oven (filament and coil only, without foil).

SPECIALTY with transparent colors!
Low humidity has no or hardly any effect on "colored" filaments, only with transparent filaments, some moisture can already lead to cloudiness.

A table with common drying times and temperatures per material is attached. A lump-sum duration for the drying is not to call. Because it depends on how much moisture the filament has already pulled.
A test pressure before drying should serve as the starting point.
The drying time should be tested with about 100g of filament, which has previously separated from the coil. So we say 3x 100g filament in the oven, the first takes after 30 min, the second after 60 min and the third after 120 min out. Afterwards you make another test print with each part. The experiences made can then be transferred to the entire coil. Or if you are not in a hurry, the filament roll in a dehydrator (vegetable dryer) for a few days should also lead to the desired success.

 

Drying times (recommendations):

PLA at 40°C to 50°C approx. 4h* with circulating air
ABS at 50°C to 80°C approx. 4h* with circulating air
PETG at 50°C to 80°C approx. 4h* with circulating air
NYLON at 60°C to 80°C approx. 8h* with circulating air
PVA at 60°C to 80°C approx. 8h* with circulating air

*
Drying time varies depending on the degree of moisture in the filament and environmental influences.
It should also be noted whether the coil will withstand the temperature you have chosen.