Cleaning the Extruder Nozzle on a Lulzbot TAZ3 3D Printer

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Introduction

The purpose of this guide is to show you how to clean the extruder nozzle on a Lulzbot TAZ3 3D printer. This guide is for anyone that has experience with working with 3D printers. The supplies that you will need are a 13 mm wrench, standard hand pliers, gloves for hot materials, needle nose pliers, propane torch, new 3D printer filament and a brass or steel wire brush. Please note that you must wear gloves while handling the hot materials and use caution while using the propane torch.

What you need

Step 1 Cleaning the Extruder Nozzle on a Lulzbot TAZ3 3D Printer

Cleaning the Extruder Nozzle on a Lulzbot TAZ3 3D Printer, Cleaning the Extruder Nozzle on a Lulzbot TAZ3 3D Printer: step 1, image 1 of 1

This is the Lulzbot TAZ3D Printer that we will be cleaning the extruder nozzle.

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Step 2

Turn on the Taz3 3D printer.

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Step 3

Heat up the extruder with the control panel on the printer to the melting temperature of the stuck filament material.
I recommend 230C for ABS and 200C for PLA filaments.

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Step 4

Cleaning the Extruder Nozzle on a Lulzbot TAZ3 3D Printer: step 4, image 3 of 3

When the extruder is hot, use protective gloves and a 13 mm wrench to unscrew the nozzle from the bottom of the extruder's heater block while holding the block with the pliers to prevent rotation.
Care must be taken to not touch the wires leading to the heater cartridge at the front of the extruder. Use the pliers from the rear of the extruder to safely hold the block without damaging the wires.

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Step 5

Cleaning the Extruder Nozzle on a Lulzbot TAZ3 3D Printer: step 5, image 3 of 3

Use the needle nose pliers to hold the nozzle in a gas flame (propane torch, gas stove top, etc.) to super heat the brass nozzle.
Clip a couple pieces of filament about 10 inches long to use as a cleaning probe for the nozzle.
Heating the extruder with a propane torch can cause serious burns. Special care is to be taken when working with gas flames. It is important to secure the propane torch from moving while working with the extruder nozzle.

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Step 6

Push and pull fresh ends of the filament pieces through the nozzle from the back to remove the blockage and clear the filament path.
The nozzle should make a smooth extrusion when cleaned.

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