I was printing a couple of things for my wife out of PLA+. Then my daughter wanted something printed in a silk PLA that contained some TPU. These are two very different filaments with very different properties. Just swapping filament spools and hitting “Print” would not have been successful. Here are the steps that I took to successfully swap between the two.

Step 1: Clean the nozzle

The first step is to clean the nozzle of your 3D printer to remove any residue of the previous filament. This is especially important when switching from a lower temperature filament (such as PLA) to a higher temperature filament (such as ABS), because the leftover PLA may burn and clog the nozzle when heated to ABS temperatures.

To clean the nozzle, you can use one of the following methods:

• Cold pull: This method involves heating the nozzle to the melting temperature of the previous filament, then letting it cool down slightly, and then pulling out the filament with a quick motion. This should remove most of the residue from the nozzle. You may need to repeat this process a few times until the filament comes out clean.
• Nylon cleaning filament: This is a special type of filament that is designed to clean the nozzle by absorbing any impurities. You can load the nylon cleaning filament into your 3D printer and extrude it at a high temperature (around 250°C) until it comes out clean. You can also use the cold pull method with the nylon cleaning filament for better results.
• Needle or wire: This method involves inserting a thin needle or wire into the nozzle and gently scraping out any debris. You can do this while the nozzle is hot or cold, but be careful not to damage the nozzle or burn yourself.

Step 2: Adjust the temperature

The second step is to adjust the temperature of your 3D printer to match the new filament. Different filaments have different optimal printing temperatures, which depend on various factors such as the brand, color, and quality of the filament. You can usually find the recommended temperature range on the spool label or on the manufacturer’s website.

Step 3: Adjust the bed temperature

The third step is to adjust the bed temperature of your 3D printer to match the new filament. The bed temperature affects how well the first layer of your print adheres to the build platform, which is crucial for preventing warping and curling. Different filaments have different optimal bed temperatures, which also depend on the type of build surface you are using.

Step 4: Adjust the speed and cooling

The fourth step is to adjust the speed and cooling settings of your 3D printer to match the new filament. The speed and cooling affect how fast and how well your filament solidifies after being extruded from the nozzle. Different filaments have different optimal speed and cooling settings, which depend on their viscosity, shrinkage rate, and strength.