How to Change Filament on the Creality Ender 3 V2 Neo 3D Printer

Understanding the Ender 3 V2 Neo Filament System

The Ender 3 V2 Neo is an upgraded version of the popular Ender 3 series of 3D printers from Creality. One of the improvements in the Neo model is an all-metal hotend and direct drive extruder system for flexible and exotic filaments.

Like all FDM 3D printers, the Ender 3 V2 Neo builds objects by melting and depositing thermoplastic filament, one layer at a time. Filament is fed from a spool through a tube into the hotend where it is melted and extruded from the nozzle onto the print bed.

Filament Types

The Ender 3 V2 Neo can print using standard 1.75mm diameter ABS, PLA, PETG, and other common desktop 3D printing filaments. The direct drive system allows it to also print flexible materials like TPU as well as exotic composites like wood or metal infused plastics.

Removing Old Filament

When you need to change materials, the first step is removing any filament loaded through the hotend. On the Ender 3 V2 Neo this can be done via the LCD menu, or by heating up the hotend and manually pulling the filament out through the top.

Loading New Ender 3 V2 Neo Filament

Once the old filament is out, you can begin feeding your new printing material into the hotend.

Prepare the Filament

Make sure your new filament spool can spin freely without binding or excessive friction. Snip off the very end of the filament to expose a fresh edge and insert it into the hole on top of the print head.

Preheat Hotend

Use the LCD control panel to preheat the hotend to the temperature recommended for your filament type. For example, 200 °C for PLA or 230 °C for ABS. The nozzle needs to be hot enough to melt the plastic.

Feed the Filament

Once the hotend reaches temperature, use the LCD menu to select the “Load Filament” option. The printer will automatically start feeding filament slowly through the hotend.

Help guide the filament by gently pushing it into the hole on top of the print head when you feel tension or resistance.

Continue feeding until plastic starts extruding from the nozzle. At this point the filament path is loaded and primed.

Final Steps for Filament Change

With your new filament loaded and extruding cleanly, printing can begin. But first:

Trim the Tip

Use diagonal flush cutters to snip off the very tip of the filament strand extruding from the nozzle. This leaves a clean edge for better bed adhesion.

Wipe Nozzle

It’s also a good idea to wipe any oozed material off the nozzle tip using a lint-free wipe before printing your next model.

Adjust Bed Level

If changing between very different filament types, double check bed tramming to account for differences in plastic flow, nozzle pressure, etc.

Reset Filament Settings

If switching between exotic specialty filaments and basic materials, confirm your slice profile has appropriate temperature, retraction, speed and flow rate settings.

With that complete, you’re ready to start your next 3D printing project on the Ender 3 V2 Neo!

FAQs

What temperature should I heat the hotend to?

Heat the hotend to the temperature recommended for the filament type you are using. Common temperatures are 200°C for PLA, 230°C for ABS, and anywhere from 210-250°C for exotic materials like flexible TPU.

How can I prevent clogs when changing filament?

To avoid heat creep and jams, it's best to completely cool down the hotend below 60°C before changing filament types. Also, trim any burned or melted filament tips before loading new filament.

How do I load filament if the LCD screen isn't working?

If the display fails, you can manually preheat the hotend with the control knob, then carefully feed filament by hand until you feel it bite and plastic starts extruding.

Should I level the bed after changing materials?

Checking and re-leveling the bed after changing between very different filament types is a good idea. The thickness or flow rate may behave differently causing first layers not to adhere properly.