Picture of a working feed mechanism

[martinswinkels 0]

I have an assembled Ultimaker. It should be ready to print. But I can't figure out how to use the feed mechanism.

I can put the PLA through the mechanism and into the tube. But I don't know how to put pressure on the PLA.

I can't find out what the black levers are for or how I should use them.

Is there a picture of a working Ultimaker where a working feed mechanism is visible?

You can also watch the video of my Ultimaker and it's feed mechanism:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ap5x_UyXmac

 

[snowygrouch 1]

The black "lever" is not a lever. Its only job is to stop the steel shaft from falling out.

Its just got an arm on it to make it easy to remove.

[megasmiley 0]

Start by manually pushing the filament up through the bowden tube until it stops moving any more. Now you take the lower assembly and turn it up until it is pressing against the filament. The black plastic bit on top of the main assembly should be at the top of its slot, and facing upwards. Press the lower assembly hard against the filament (you'll feel the spring pressing back against you) until you are able to push down (don't turn it, keep it facing up) the upper black plastic bit downward to lock the lower mechanism into place. Now turn that bit down. That is how the filament is installed.

[maurice 1]

I still find this explanation confusing, do you have a picture of how it looks? I've tried many different things, but even if I push the assembly by hand all the way in with the bolt with the spring tightened up, the filament still isn't moving when I turn the large gear.

[maurice 1]

Your explanation became clear when I had built the complete assembly, thanks. There is also a good movie showing how it is done here: