Ultimaker 3 Extended Configuration guide

Ultimaker Support
›
3D Printers
›
Ultimaker 3
›
Maintenance
Cleaning the Ultimaker 3
January 28, 2020 09:46
For the best print results it is important to keep the Ultimaker 3 clean while using it.
Therefore it is advised not to use the Ultimaker 3 in a room where it can easily be
covered with dust and to remove small pieces of material that might be in the printer.
Besides this, there are a few parts in the Ultimaker 3 that might require more regular
cleaning.
Clean the glass plate
After printing, there might be excess glue stuck to the glass plate. This can cause an
uneven print surface. Removing a print may also reduce the adhesion quality of a layer
of glue, so it is advised to regularly clean the glass plate and reapply glue.
Before starting a new print, always check the surface of the glass plate. At least once a
month, clean the plate thoroughly by taking the following steps:
1.
Manually place the build plate at the bottom of the Ultimaker 3
2.
Open the build plate clamps at the front, slide the glass plate forward and take it out
of the printer
3.
Note:
Always make sure that the Ultimaker 3 is turned off and build plate has cooled
down.
Ultimaker
Ask our community of experts
Go to our community
© Ultimaker Support





Cleaning the Ultimaker 3 – Ultimaker Support https://support.ultimaker.com/hc/en-us/articles/...
1 of 6 12/15/20, 1:51 PM

Clean the nozzles
While using the Ultimaker 3, material can get stuck to the nozzles. Although this will not
damage your printer, it is recommended keep the nozzles clean in order to achieve the
best print results.
Before starting a new print, always check the nozzles. At least once a month, remove the
plastic from the outside of the nozzles by taking the following steps:
1.
On the Ultimaker 3, navigate to Material/PrintCore > PrintCore 1 > Set temperature.
Rotate the dial and set the temperature to 150 °C. Repeat this for print core 2 and
make sure this print core is lowered
2.
Wait for the plastic on the outside to get soft. When the nozzles are hot, carefully
remove the material with tweezers
Caution
: Leaving the build plate clamps open may damage your Ultimaker 3 when
the build plate is raised.
Caution
: Do not touch the nozzles and be careful while cleaning it as they will
become hot.
Cleaning the Ultimaker 3 – Ultimaker Support https://support.ultimaker.com/hc/en-us/articles/...
2 of 6 12/15/20, 1:51 PM


Clean the feeders and Bowden tubes
After many hours of printing, or when material has been ground down, small filament
particles can build up in the feeder. These can end up in the Bowden tubes or print
cores, which can impact print quality.
Clean the feeders and Bowden tubes at least once a month, or after experiencing an
issue with filament grinding.
Clean the feeders
1.
Remove the material by navigating to
Material/PrintCore > Material [x] > Unload
. After
this, turn off the printer
2.
Blow into the feeder to get the filament particles out. If necessary, use an air blower
or compressed air
Cleaning the Ultimaker 3 – Ultimaker Support https://support.ultimaker.com/hc/en-us/articles/...
3 of 6 12/15/20, 1:51 PM

Clean the Bowden tubes
Particles in the Bowden tubes can impede smooth movement of the filament or mix
colors. To clean them, the Bowden tubes have to be removed from the printer.
1.
Remove the material by navigating to
Material/PrintCore > Material [x] > Unload
. After
this, turn off the printer
2.
Place the print head in the front-right corner
3.
Use a fingernail to remove the clamp clips from the tube coupling collets at the print
head and feeders
4.
Press down on the tube coupling collet in the print head and at the same time, pull
the Bowden tube upwards, out of the print head. Repeat these steps for the feeder
5.
Cut off a small piece of sponge or ball up a piece of tissue
6.
Insert this into the feeder end of the Bowden tube and push it all the way through the
tube with a length of filament. Do this for both Bowden tubes, using a clean piece of
sponge or tissue for each
7.
Insert the Bowden tube into the feeder by pressing down on the tube coupling collet
Cleaning the Ultimaker 3 – Ultimaker Support https://support.ultimaker.com/hc/en-us/articles/...
4 of 6 12/15/20, 1:51 PM

Articles in this section
in the feeder and pushing the Bowden tube all the way in. Secure the tube with the
clamp clip. Repeat this for the other Bowden tube
8.
Insert the Bowden tube into the print head by pressing down on the tube coupling
collet in the print head and pushing the Bowden tube all the way in. Secure the tube
with the clamp clip. Repeat this for the other Bowden tube
Inside of the printer
Small pieces of material can gather inside the printer, such as priming blobs. Remove
these from the inside of the printer with a cloth or vacuum cleaner. Pay extra attention
to the area around the Z limit switch as obstructions here can cause print problems.
Caution:
Leaving larger objects on the bottom panel can lead to errors, as they
prevent the build plate from homing properly.
Was this article helpful?


4 out of 5 found this helpful

Update the Ultimaker 3 firmware

Ultimaker 3 firmware release notes

Replace the build plate clamps of the Ultimaker 3
Cleaning the Ultimaker 3 – Ultimaker Support https://support.ultimaker.com/hc/en-us/articles/...
5 of 6 12/15/20, 1:51 PM

Comments
0 comments
Article is closed for comments.
See more
Recently viewed articles

Replace the radial fans of the Ultimaker 3

Replace the axial fan of the Ultimaker 3

Replace the tube coupling collet of the Ultimaker 3

Replace the clamp clip of the Ultimaker 3

Replace the Bowden tubes on the Ultimaker 3

Clean the feeders on the Ultimaker 3

Lubricate the lead screw of the Z motor on the Ultimaker 3

Ultimaker 3 maintenance schedule
Cleaning the Ultimaker 3 – Ultimaker Support https://support.ultimaker.com/hc/en-us/articles/...
6 of 6 12/15/20, 1:51 PM