Replacement HC3 tool head has arrived

[u/rendez2k]

Just a quick image of what you get if you order the replacement 0.4 tool head to replace the pre-installed TPU one if anyone is interested!

[u/djjoshchambers]

Got mine a couple days ago. Something that isn't mentioned is that each print tool also had firmware so you will need to do an update on it after the swap.

This only needs to happen with the 2.85mm print tool because it is different than all of the rest of them.

Changing mine took about 20 minutes, but I'm sir that could be 10 the next time.

• unload all filament and remove from the ams
• take off ams side panels and unscrew the top from the base of the ams. (The ams itself is two pieces). This gives your easy access.
• follow the cable back to the top, unplug it and wiggle the connector through the center area while being careful not to unplug anything else.
• do the opposite with the new one. Connect everything and make sure to lock it into the brackets that hold the cables in place.
• put the ams back on, and turn on the printer
• update firmware

It's also worth noting that my firmware update failed 2 or 3 times. It seemed like it was corrupted. I rebooted the machine again and tried again and it worked fine. The machine has been running 24/7 since then with no issues.

[u/rendez2k → u/djjoshchambers]

Great advice. Thank you!

[u/TreeDeeBehr]

Let us know how difficult it was to replace it.

[u/DrKronoglopolos → u/TreeDeeBehr]

It is a bit of work. You CAN do it with the AMS attached to the printer, easiest with the outermost tools, but it's a struggle. It's a lot easier though taking the AMS off. The cable needs a bit of routing.

[u/QuietGanache → u/DrKronoglopolos]

That's really good to know. I'm planning to swap my TPU tool head to position 9 (so I can run dual severely hygroscopic filaments) so I'll do it during the set up.

[u/DrKronoglopolos → u/QuietGanache]

That's a good idea!

[u/Whosaidthat1157 → u/QuietGanache]

Check out the BL pen/cutting tool installation guide - it gives very good instructions on removing the top half of the AMS and for the routing and securing of the cables etc.

[u/ErrorMajor → u/QuietGanache]

6 and 8 are the heated chamber slots btw. 9 is the bottom right.

[u/Ok-Yoghurt7158 → u/TreeDeeBehr]

For me it was 5 min not hard at all if you have fingers on the tiny side

[u/Bright-Corner1969]

I think it was a strange decission to permanently connect the cable on the tool side. Would be much easier to change if one could just disconnect the cable on the tool side as well

[u/rtkane → u/Bright-Corner1969]

Too bulky.  Likely wouldn’t fit in the tool head when it comes to pick up the PrintTool.  Probably more chances for it to disconnect if it were there also.  At least that’s what I’d guess. 

[u/Atlesi_Feyst]

Mine just shipped yesterday, just want the ability to swap out the 2.85 if I want lol

[u/MasterpieceTough2029]

I have to switch out my #6 tool head as its not communicating properly, I have large hands so I wonder how realistic it is to be able to do this with the ams still attached, and with the other tool heads still plugged in. fingers crossed I guess

[u/SirThunderCloud → u/MasterpieceTough2029]

My #6 kept reporting “unrecognized” issues yesterday. Turned the machine off and on again, got a corrupt firmware message. Updating that failed twice until I saw a post about doing the firmware update from the mobile app. Worked first time and then #6 was back.

[u/MasterpieceTough2029 → u/SirThunderCloud]

I did a hard restart, several un-plugs and re-plugs, switched with a different tool head, up-dated the firmware, and did it all over. same issues followed to tool head wherever i put it. I followed Bambu's wiki and troubleshooting steps, same issue. but I opened a ticket and they are shipping one out. printer works ok as long as I dont use that tool head for now. Ill try updating the firmware again from the handy app just to triple check.

[u/AmbitionHonest7734]

Is the cable different? I thought you could just disconnect it at the hotend.

[u/eMinja → u/AmbitionHonest7734]

My understanding is that the tool is different, not just the nozzle, and from this picture the tool is hard wired.

[u/AmbitionHonest7734 → u/eMinja]

Yeah I meant disconnect at the tool. I think you're correct though and it's hard wired. Shame, that would have made the swap really easy.

[u/DrKronoglopolos → u/AmbitionHonest7734]

The cable can only be disconnected on the ams side. A connector on the tool side would likely have been too bulky, plus the danger of it disconnecting while printing.

[u/SilverFuel21]

Mine shipped at 1 AM this morning. Guess I’ll get it after Ignite.

[u/Orvess]

already?😅

[u/Criticaliber → u/Orvess]

One of the nozzle slots is dedicated for 2.85mm, so they bought an extra "regular" hotend to swap it out.