Using the Sidewinder¶
The Sidewinder is designed to be easy to use. Here are the basic tips to make it even better.
Loading the filament¶
The filament loading mechanism is based on the breech loading idea of old muskets. Instead of fiddly work trying to insert the filament from the top, guide it past the hob and into a hot end you cannot see, we decided to open it up and show to the whole path.
Note
It is a lot faster to do that to read about it.
Step 1¶
Step 2¶
Step 3¶
Step 4¶
- Place the prongs into the slots on the bottom forks
- Rotate the breech upwards
- Squeeze the ears in and slide between the upper forks
- the breech will click into place
Great, done. The filament is loaded. That took about a minute or so to read, but it will take about 2 seconds to do. Of course the other side is done the same way.
Tips and tricks¶
When the breech block is open and there is no filament, you have a good opportunity to have a look at the hob, to see if it is clean.
When inserting the filament and IF the hot end is up to working temperature, you can use the filament to purge the rest of the previous filament. Simply press the filament down into the hot end, without the breech in place. You can feel the filament melt and be pushed through the melt zone and out the nozzle. Do so until all the previous filament is gone.
Note
This is a GREAT way to sense if there is a blockage or another problem in your nozzle or melt zone.