Using the Sidewinder V2

The Sidewinder V2 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

Open the breech

  • Squeeze the “ears” together.
  • Pull the ears forward, away from the Nimble.
  • This can require a little force the first few times.
  • Now lift the Breech out of the “forks” on the Nimble

Step 2

Have a look

  • Have a look between the forks
  • You can see the hob and the hot end opening

Step 3

Insert filament

  • It is now easy to slide the filament into the hot end.
  • Slide it all the way down, into the melt chamber.

Step 4

Close the breech

  • 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.