Goals:
Supplies:
- 2mm hex key
- 2.5mm hex key
Note: Take care not to misplace any parts you remove during this procedure, as you will need them during the reinstallation.
The procedure for replacing a plastic extruder depends on the model of the extruder currently installed in your printer. See the image below to determine which procedure applies to you, then follow the instructions in the corresponding subsection to replace your plastic extruder.
Markforged products contain high voltage and other hazards. Do not remove any panels or protective guards without the appropriate technical training and experience necessary to minimize risks to yourself and others. If you do not feel comfortable accessing service areas of your Markforged product, please seek the proper assistance.
Remove the A3016 Extruder
- Completely unload all print materials. For more information, see Unload Plastic and Unload Fiber, if applicable.
- Cool the print head (Menu > Utilities > Manual Control > Temperature Control > Cool).
Note: The print head will take about five to seven minutes to completely cool. - Power off your printer and manually move the print head away from the extruders.
- Using the 2mm hex key, loosen the top left socket head cap screw on the front plate of the fiber extruder.
- After detaching the fiber Bowden tube from the fiber extruder, slide it through the channel at the bottom of the plastic extruder toward the front of the printer.
- Unscrew the thumbscrew that connects the plastic Bowden tube to the plastic extruder.
- Remove the plastic Bowden tube from the plastic extruder and let it hang freely.
- Press the push-to-connect fitting on the back of the plastic extruder and withdraw the plastic feed tube from the extruder.
- Using the 2.5mm hex key, remove the screws that attach the plastic extruder to the printer chassis.
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- Carefully pull the large connector (depicted below) from behind the stepper motor next to the plastic extruder. After it is accessible, disconnect the clip by pressing on the indicated area.
Note: Do not pull on the wires, only on the white clips.
- Disconnect both wire clips behind the extruder.
Note: Do not pull on the wires, only on the white clips. You may need to use pliers to remove the connectors. Be careful not to let the base of the extruder sever the wires.
- Remove the plastic extruder from the printer.
Replace the A3016 Extruder
- Place the new plastic extruder in the printer.
- Reattach the three white wire clips onto the plastic extruder and the connection on the left of the extruder.
- Place the screws in the holes to secure the extruder on the printer chassis.
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Slide the fiber Bowden tube through the channel at the bottom of the plastic extruder toward the fiber extruder.
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Slide the metal inlet on the fiber Bowden tube into the V-shaped groove on the left side of the fiber extruder. Using the 2mm hex key, tighten the screw until the metal inlet is secured but not flattened.
Note: Make sure the metal inlet slides all the way in and presses against the fiber extruder.
- Reinstall the plastic Bowden tube to the plastic extruder and tighten the thumbscrew.
- Reinstall the plastic feed tube to the rear of the plastic extruder.
- Power on the printer
- Reload materials. For more information, see Load Plastic and Load Fiber.
Remove the A3648 Extruder
- Completely unload all print materials. For more information, see Unload Plastic and Unload Fiber, if applicable.
- Cool the print head (Menu > Utilities > Manual Control > Temperature Control > Cool).
Note: The print head may take several minutes to completely cool. - Power off your printer and manually move the print head away from the extruders.
- Use a 2mm hex key to loosen, but not remove, the top left socket head cap screw securing the fiber Bowden tube to the fiber extruder.
- Detach the inlet end of the fiber Bowden tube from the fiber extruder.
- Slide the fiber Bowden tube through the channel at the bottom of the plastic extruder toward the front of the printer, until it is removed from the channel.
- Unscrew the thumbscrew that connects the plastic Bowden tube to the plastic extruder.
- Press the push-to-connect fitting on the back of the plastic extruder and withdraw the plastic feed tube from the extruder.
- Using the 2.5mm hex key, remove and set aside the two screws securing the extruder to the rail.
- Unclip the cable from the wire-management clip on the front face of the extruder, then disconnect the 4-pin cable from the socket on the black inward face of the extruder.
- Disconnect the 6-pin cable from its connector on the front face of the extruder.
- Remove the plastic extruder and set it aside.
Replace the A3648 Extruder
- Connect the 6-pin cable to its corresponding connector on the front face of the new plastic extruder.
- Connect the 4-pin cable to the socket on the black inward face of the new extruder. Secure the cable using the wire-management clip on the front face of the extruder.
- Install the extruder on the rail, pushing it back against the case until the mounting holes line up. Use the 2.5mm hex key to install the two screws that secure the extruder to the rail.
- Connect the plastic feed tube to the plastic extruder.
- Connect the plastic Bowden tube to the plastic extruder and tighten the thumbscrew.
- Pass the fiber Bowden tube through the channel at the bottom of the extruder.
- Reinsert the fiber Bowden tube into the slot on the fiber extruder, then use the 2mm hex key to tighten the top left screw until the metal inlet is secured but not flattened.
- Carefully tuck all internal cables and connectors below the lid of the printer.
- Power on the printer.
- Reload print materials. For more information, see Load Plastic and Load Fiber.