The information in this article applies to UltiMaker S series printers. This article describes how to load materials for the first time, as part of the welcome setup.
Note: The included print cores and materials are different between the 'first generation' S series printers (S3, S5, and S7) and the 'high-speed' printers (S6 and S8). This only affects which material will be requested by the printer, but the steps are the same. The images on this page show the UltiMaker S5 and PVA / Tough PLA material.
Before you can start printing on your UltiMaker S series printer, you need to load materials into the printer. For the first use, it is recommended to use the spools of material that come with the printer. Loading materials is part of the welcome setup, and the printer will guide you through the steps. You can also load materials after the welcome setup has been completed from the Materials menu on the display.
Tip: This guide applies to S series printers without the Material Station. If you have a Material Station, follow the instructions for loading materials on this page instead.
When preparing material for loading into the printer, always cut the end into a short, sharp tip. Use cutting pliers or wire cutters. It is best to do a double cut for a conical tip shape. This ensures that the material can easily enter the feeder and won't get caught on the edges of any components, such as the Bowden tubes.
Load material 2
Material 2 will be loaded first, because this material will be placed on the spool holder, closest to the back of the printer. Select Material 2 from the list shown on the touchscreen, select Start, and then take the following steps to load the material.
For the UltiMaker S3, S5, or S7: If you have installed the BB print core in print head slot 2, load PVA into feeder 2.
For the UltiMaker S6 or S8: These printers include two spools of Tough PLA. It does not matter which color is loaded into which extruder.
Place spool
Remove the packaging from the spool of material. Cut off the end of the filament that is hooked onto the spool. Ensure a nice sharp tip for easy loading. It is also recommended to straighten the end of the filament, so it can easily enter the feeder.
Place the spool on the spool holder at the back of the printer. Ensure that the filament is in a clockwise direction so that it can enter feeder 2 from the bottom.
Wait until the printer has detected the material type. This will only work when using UltiMaker material and if the spool holder cable is connected to the NFC socket at the back of the printer. You can also select the material type manually in the menu.
Insert material
The feeder will start turning slowly. Insert the end of the filament into the bottom of feeder 2. Apply pressure until you feel that the feeder grips the material. The filament will now automatically slowly move upwards.
As soon as the filament is visible in the Bowden tube above the feeder, confirm this using the button on the display.
Note: Do not wait too long before pressing Continue. After this, the printer will automatically forward the filament to the print head. If the material is too far into the Bowden tube, the material will jam in the hot end, and the feeder will grind into the filament. The image below (right) shows the maximum length of the filament in the Bowden tube before it should be forwarded.
Extrude
The print core will now heat up. When the print core has reached the target temperature, the filament will now fast forward through the Bowden tube to the print head. When it almost reaches the print core, the feeder will turn slowly again.
Wait for material to extrude from the nozzle.
Note: The color of the material that starts extruding could be different from the color of the material that you just loaded. There can be some residue from the factory test print left in the print core (learn more here). Wait until you see the color of the filament that you loaded coming out of the nozzle.
Confirm when the material is flowing consistently from the nozzle. Remove the strand of filament from the printer and proceed to load material 1.
Load material 1
For material 1, it is recommended to load the spool of Tough PLA that came with the printer. You may also load a different type of material if you prefer. This spool will be placed on the material guide to prevent entangling. Select Material 1 from the list on the touchscreen, select Start, and follow the steps below.
Place spool
Like the other spool, cut off the end of the filament into a nice, sharp tip and straighten it a bit.
Now take the material guide and hold it with the outer part towards you. Place the material spool on the material guide with the material in counter-clockwise direction.
Guide the end of the material through the hole in the material guide. When you have done this, select Confirm.
Place the material guide - with material 1 on it - on the spool holder, behind material 2, and wait until it is detected by the printer. Alternatively, manually select the material type in the menu.
Insert material
Feeder 1 will start spinning slowly. Insert the end of the filament into the bottom of feeder 1. Apply pressure until you feel that the feeder grips the material. The filament will now automatically slowly move upwards.
As soon as the filament is visible in the Bowden tube above the feeder, confirm this using the button. Again, ensure not to wait too long to prevent the material from getting stuck.
Extrude
Wait for the UltiMaker 3D printer to heat up print core 1 and load the material into the print head. Confirm when the new material extrudes from the print head. Wait a moment for print core 1 to cool down.
Finished!
The materials are now correctly loaded and you can proceed with the next step of the welcome setup.
Tip: After completing the welcome setup, you can always load, unload, and change materials via the Configuration menu on the printer. For more information on how to change materials, visit this page.
