If you’re an Ultimaker 2/3 user with a stockpile of 1.75 mm filament, or you’re curious about exploring the exotic filament options available in this diameter, you’re in luck! Using 1.75 mm filament on the Ultimaker 2/3 is totally achievable—no hardware except for a nozzle (Find the 1.75mm Nozzle for Ultimaker S3) modifications required—and it even comes with perks like reduced motor stress and less nozzle pressure. After hundreds of hours of testing, we’ve refined a simple process for loading, printing, and unloading 1.75 mm filament, and we’re sharing it all here.
Why Choose 1.75 mm Filament for the Ultimaker 2/3?
Before diving into the how-to, let’s cover the key reasons to make the switch:
- Abundant stock: Many makers already have large quantities of 1.75 mm filament on hand, making it a cost-effective choice.
- Mechanical benefits: The smaller diameter puts less stress on the Ultimaker 2’s motors and reduces pressure on the nozzle, potentially extending component life.
- More material options: A wider range of exotic and specialty filaments (like flexible, conductive, or glow-in-the-dark varieties) are available in 1.75 mm.
Step-by-Step: Loading 1.75 mm Filament
-
Adjust filament diameter on the LCD: Use the rotary dial on the Ultimaker’s LCD screen to change the filament diameter setting to 1.75 mm. This ensures the printer calibrates extrusion correctly.
- Tighten the tension screw: To get a firm grip on the 1.75 mm filament, adjust the tension screw on the feeder. This prevents slipping during feeding.
- Initiate the loading process: Select the Insert Material option on the LCD. The printer’s motor will slowly feed the filament through the guide tube—be patient as it moves through the system.
- Fast-forward once fed: When you see the filament pass through the feeder, select Ready on the LCD to speed up the feeding process.
- Purge the nozzle: Wait for the filament to reach the Teflon tube and exit the nozzle. Let the printer purge the material for a few moments to ensure a smooth flow. (Shop the 1.75mm Nozzle here)
- Select your material: On the LCD, choose the filament type you’re using (PLA, ABS, or specialty materials) to set the correct printing temperatures.
- Adjust slicer settings (if needed): In your slicing software, update the filament diameter in your printer profile to 1.75 mm for accurate extrusion calculations.
You’re now ready to start printing with 1.75 mm filament—simple as that!
Step-by-Step: Unloading 1.75 mm Filament
Unloading requires a few precise steps to avoid jams or damage to the feeder:
- Heat the nozzle: Start by heating the nozzle to the appropriate temperature for your filament (e.g., 180–200°C for PLA).
-
Remove the filament guide tube: Pull the guide tube out of the printer head—this should pull the filament out with it, and you’ll likely see a melted blob at the filament’s end.
- Trim the filament tip: Use the Move Material option to advance the filament slightly forward, then cut off the melted blob to create a clean, straight tip (this prevents jams when reloading).
-
Unload the filament: Select the Change option on the LCD to fully unload the filament from the system.
-
Reinsert the guide tube (for reloading): Before loading new filament, push the guide tube back into the printer head all the way, ensuring it passes through the outer spring and Teflon tube. This secures proper filament alignment for future use.
Final Notes
Once you’ve reloaded new filament (following the loading steps above), let the nozzle purge the material completely before starting a print. This ensures no residual old filament affects your print quality.
If you have any questions about using 1.75 mm filament on the Ultimaker 2/3, drop them in the comments below!
