Ultimaker 3

Note: Ensure on Cura that your printer is set to "Ultimaker 3"

Changing Materials

 * Go to Material/PrintCore > Material > Change
 * Wait for the printer to heat and reverse the material to prevent print core damage
 * Select your material manually from the list on the display
 * Insert the material into the feeder until it grips the filament and pulls it slowly
 * Press "ready" as soon as the feeder is gripping the filament and it will accelerate towards the extruder
 * Press "ready" once the material is extruding one solid colour to finish loading
 * wait for one solid colour, since different material types may be left over in the extruder that would require different print settings

Changing Print Cores

 * Go to Material/PrintCore > PrintCore [x] > Change
 * Wait for the print core to heat up and reverse the material
 * Open the print head fan bracket lightly
 * Squeeze the two levers of the print core together and lightly pull straight out
 * Insert new print core, and check the print core type (AA, BB and a diameter)
 * Ensure your prints are sliced using the proper print core in Cura

Fixing Feeder Tension
The feeder should VERY RARELY need adjustment. However, if the feeder arm is not tensioned well, the tooth gear grind up filament, or not push filament at all.

An Allan key turning the screw on the top of the feeder block will tighten or loosen the spring on the feeder arm, and can be seen on an indicator on the side.

If tensioned properly, the tooth gear will leave some marks on the filament.

If not tensioned enough, there will be no marks on the filament.

If tensioned too tightly, it will grind the filament leaving heavy scores.

Leveling the Build Plate
Active Leveling

The UM3 will measure distance itself to attempt to level the build plate. It should do this at the start of every print but that can be adjusted in settings.

To start active leveling without printing:


 * Go to System > Build plate > Active Leveling

Manual Leveling

The build plate must be level relative to the X and Y linear axis rods of the machine. Additionally, the build plate must be a consistent and precise distance from the nozzle at all points.

There are three screws on springs under the build plate, one on the front left, one on the front right, and one on the back of the plate. Tightening one of these screws tightens that spring, and brings that are of the build plate lower relative to the head.

If the print head is too far away from the build plate, then the filament will solidify before reaching the plate, and not stick. If the print head is too close, the pressure will prevent the filament from extruding properly, and it will either come out too thin, or not at all.

To do a full re-level, start by tightening all three screws by at least three turns. Then go through the menu to Settings -> Build plate. It will walk you through leveling the plate in full.

To do a fine re-level, which is faster (and should be done after a full re-level), start a print (preferably with a large print area). Then as the lines go down, slowly adjust the screws until the layer looks consistent and clean.