Switching from PVA to PLA

[JohnK 30]

Was just wondering what the intended method is to switch materials and core types at the same time on the Ultimaker 3.

I went to change from BB core to AA, thinking that the machine would tell me to change filaments after detecting the AA core, but instead told me to put the BB back in.

I needed up removing the PVA by hand and fed PLA through, then changed cores. Which was a little time consuming.

Would the correct process be to do, MATERIAL - UNLOAD, then change cores, then MATERIAL - LOAD ?

Thanks

Edited November 9, 2016 by Guest

[neotko 1,417]

Well, the material doesn't fully unload from the tube to avoid small parts of filament (blob on the tip of the unloaded filament) to fall inside the feeder so indeed after the filament is move out by the core change you need to manually take the filament (keeping the feeder lever up) and then removing the filament spool. Then when you place a new pla spool you can use the Load material

Edited November 9, 2016 by Guest

[tinkergnome 927]

Would the correct process be to do, MATERIAL - UNLOAD, then change cores, then MATERIAL - LOAD ?

 

basically - yes.

"Material/Print core" -> "PrintCore 2" -> "Change"

is intended to guide you through these steps, i think?

Edit: alternatively... RTFM!

Edited November 9, 2016 by Guest

[JohnK 30]

 

Would the correct process be to do, MATERIAL - UNLOAD, then change cores, then MATERIAL - LOAD ?

 

basically - yes.

"Material/Print core" -> "PrintCore 2" -> "Change"

is intended to guide you through these steps, i think?

Edit: alternatively... RTFM!

 

Lol, I did read the manual..

The problem I had with those steps when I had PVA with a BB core in slot 2, was that it reversed the material, I put the AA core in and the printer wouldn't accept it and asked for the BB core to be put back in.

[tinkergnome 927]

The problem I had with those steps when I had PVA with a BB core in slot 2, was that it reversed the material, I put the AA core in and the printer wouldn't accept it and asked for the BB core to be put back in.

 

True, most of the time it's difficult to argue with those "smart" machines...

AFAIK it is crucial that PVA is only used together with the BB core. That's the reason, why the firmware has some hard restrictions as long as PVA is the selected material.

So what I understand - you had removed the PVA already, but for the printer it was still the current selected material.

I'm not sure a.t.m., is it possible to manually select a different material (without the need to actually load it)? If so, doing this could be sufficient to satisfy the printer.

BTW: when did it asked for the BB core? Did you started a print, or load material or what else? (I don't use the material change wizard most of the time and don't want to grope into the same trap...)

[JohnK 30]

 

The problem I had with those steps when I had PVA with a BB core in slot 2, was that it reversed the material, I put the AA core in and the printer wouldn't accept it and asked for the BB core to be put back in.

 

True, most of the time it's difficult to argue with those "smart" machines...

AFAIK it is crucial that PVA is only used together with the BB core. That's the reason, why the firmware has some hard restrictions as long as PVA is the selected material.

So what I understand - you had removed the PVA already, but for the printer it was still the current selected material.

I'm not sure a.t.m., is it possible to manually select a different material (without the need to actually load it)? If so, doing this could be sufficient to satisfy the printer.

BTW: when did it asked for the BB core? Did you started a print, or load material or what else? (I don't use the material change wizard most of the time and don't want to grope into the same trap...)

 

It asked as I went to change the core... So I went to "Material/Print core -> PrintCore 2 -> Change" it heated up, reversed the material, and told me to change the core.. so I installed the AA core (thinking that the machine would ask me to remove the PVA and insert PLA), instead the printer came up telling me to put the BB core back in as PVA is incompatible with the AA with no option to cancel and remove the material so I can install PLA.

Maybe an option at that point would be good to allow you to remove the PVA and insert a compatible material.