Reduce downtime replacing hotends and nozzles on your FDM 3D printer thanks to MatterHackers' SNAP Quick-Change Tool Head. Follow the instructions below on how to successfully replace SNAP tool heads quickly and efficiently.

Swapping SNAP quick-change tool head on a Pulse XE 3D printer Switch between different extrusion configurations quickly and easily with the SNAP Quick-Change Tool Head.

STEP 1  - UNLOAD FILAMENT

From MatterControl (or the LCD if installed) unload the filament from the printer

Filament change options via MatterControl software or printer LCD

Unload filament via MatterControl software or the LCD Screen

STEP 2 - COOL DOWN HOTEND

Cool down your hotend. You can do this by turning off the heating element via MatterControl (or the LCD if installed).

Extruder temperature set via MatterControl software or 3D printer LCD

Cool down the hotend before turning off printer

Step 3 - TURN OFF PRINTER

Turn off your printer once the hotend reaches 40°C. Your hotend should be completely cooled down and printer turned off before continuing with the replacement of your hotend.

Turning off a Pulse 3D printer power switch
Turn off printer after the hotend is completely cooled. This prevents heat creep.

STEP 4 - REMOVE BOWDEN CLIP

After the filament has been unloaded and the printer has turned off, remove the Bowden tension clip.

Removing the Bowden tube collet clip from the extruder fitting

Remove Bowden clip. Set it aside.

STEP 5 - REMOVE BOWDEN TUBE

Press down on the center collar to release the bowden tube and lift the bowden tube while holding down on the collar. This may be a tight fit.

Pressing the pneumatic fitting collar to remove the blue Bowden tube

Press down on the collar as you pull out the Bowden tube.

STEP 6 - REMOVE WIRE COVER

Remove the Wire Cover by gently pulling it towards you. It is held in place with magnets. No tools required.

Removing the toolhead wire cover to expose wiring

Remove wire cover.

STEP 7 - REMOVE REUSABLE ZIP TIE

Press down on the black zip tie latch located on the back of the X-carriage printed part. Set the zip tie aside.

Removing a cable connector from a 3D printed toolhead mount

Remove reusable zip tie.

STEP 8 - UNPLUG CONNECTOR

Unplug the black 8-pin connector. Note that the connector is very tight.

  • Press and hold down the center tab as you pull the connector apart
  • Rock the connector from left to right to loosen it
  • Do NOT pull on the wires - only pull on the connector.
Unplugging a wiring connector by pulling the connector housing, not the wires

Unplug the connector using moderate force. Do NOT pull on the wires.

Step 9 - REMOVE BLTOUCH

Unscrew the thumbscrew located above the BLTouch. Set the thumbscrew and BLTouch (leave plugged in) aside.

Connecting a BLTouch bed leveling sensor to a 3D printer toolhead

Turn the thumbscrew left to unscrew the BLTouch from the SNAP tool head. Set thumb screw aside and leave BLTouch connected to wire.

STEP 10 - REMOVE TOOL HEAD

Lift the tool head straight up and pull it straight towards you, away from the X-carriage.

  • The tool head is held in place in a slot with 2 strong magnets that prevent it from twisting.
  • Lifting the tool head requires moderate force.

Hand installing Pulse 3D printer extruder assembly with arrow pointing to wiring

Lift the tool head up with enough force to disconnect it from the magnets attached to the X-carriage. Then pull it towards you.

STEP 11 - ATTACH NEW ASSEMBLY

Install the new hotend assembly

  • Push the tool head towards the X-carriage, then push down

Installing extruder assembly on Pulse 3D printer carriage

Press the tool head against the X-Carriage. Then slide it down until the magnets lock the tool head in place.

Step 12 - REATTACH BLTOUCH

Attach the BLTouch back onto the tool head using the thumbscrew. Make sure it's tightly screwed back on.

Reattaching the BLTouch sensor to the 3D printer tool head

Attach BLTouch back onto tool head. Turn the thumbscrew clockwise until it's tightly reattached.

STEP 13 - PLUG CONNECTORS

Plug in the black 8-pin connectors.

Connecting a 3D printer wiring harness plug

Plug the connectors back together. You should hear a small snap once they connect again.

STEP 14 - REATTACH REUSABLE ZIP TIE

Grab the zip tie set aside earlier, and reattach it.

  • When reattaching, make sure some of the black cable wrap is below the zip tie before fully tightening down the zip tie. (B)

Three views of a cable clipped into a 3D printed strain relief bracket

Reattach reusable zip tie.

HS1 wiring connector on a 3D printer extruder assembly

Notice some of the black wrap around the wires is under the zip tie. Around 5mm below the zip tie is more than enough.

STEP 15 - REATTACH WIRE COVER

Reattach wire cover. Make sure no wires are pinched or sticking out on the sides.

Reattaching the 3D printer toolhead wire cover Reattach wire cover.

Correct and incorrect extruder cable routing on a Pulse 3D printer

Make sure no wires are sticking out the sides of the wire cover.

STEP 16 - INSERT BOWDEN TUBE AND REATTACH CLIP

  • Insert the Bowden tube back in. Insert it in until you meet resistance.
  • Reattach Bowden tension clip.

Blue Bowden tube inserted into a 3D printer pneumatic coupler

Insert bowden tube and reattach clip.

Congratulations, you are done with the hardware installation!

If you switched to a new SNAP hotend that does NOT have the same hotend or nozzle diameter, read the SNAP Printer Settings Guide for next steps BEFORE you begin printing.

Examples this would be applicable to include (but are not limited to) switching out a SNAP E3D V6 to a SNAP Mosquito configuration and switching from a 0.4mm nozzle to a 1.2mm nozzle.

If you did NOT switch to a new hotend and/or nozzle diameter SNAP configuration, you should now be able to reload filament and use your printer with your new SNAP Quick-Change Tool Head.

Pulse XE 3D printer print head with blue filament

The SNAP Quick-Change Tool Head streamlines the process of replacing and upgrading extrusion setups.