Large Spool Printing
This guide covers how to use large filament spools (2 kg, 3 kg, or bigger) with the 22IDEX V4. The V4 has dedicated side-loading ports that let you feed filament from outside the chamber – no need to reroute tubes through the back or modify the filament path. This article explains how to switch the PTFE tubes from internal to external ports, choose the right spool holder, and protect moisture-sensitive materials during printing.
Before you begin - safety and risk
Read the Safety - Before You Begin article to understand the hazards involved in working on the Vision Miner 22IDEX V4 - including electrical, thermal, mechanical, and chemical risks. All procedures in this wiki are provided as recommendations only. By choosing to follow any procedure, you do so at your own risk.
Power off before starting
Turn off the printer and unplug it from the power outlet. Wait at least 60 seconds after powering off for the capacitors to discharge. The nozzles and heated bed may still be hot after a recent print – let all heated components cool to room temperature before touching. The V4 has two sets of PTFE tube ports – internal (for in-chamber spools) and external (side-loading, for outside spools). You only use one set at a time per toolhead. Make sure each tube is fully seated in its port before printing.
Filament Moisture
Not all filaments need the same level of moisture protection. Before setting up your external spool, decide which category your material falls into.
Low-moisture-sensitivity materials:
Materials like PLA, ABS, ASA, PETG, and polycarbonate (PC) are relatively resistant to moisture. You can print these from a regular open spool holder outside the chamber – just make sure the filament is dry before you start. Use the printer's heated chamber as a drying oven (heat the chamber without printing), a standalone filament dryer, or any other drying method you prefer. For detailed drying temperatures and times, see the Filament Drying Guide.
Dry before long prints
Even low-sensitivity materials benefit from drying before a long print. If a spool has been sitting open for weeks, dry it before use.
High-moisture-sensitivity materials:
Materials like Nylon, PEEK, PEKK, PEI (ULTEM), PPSU, PVA, and TPU absorb moisture quickly from ambient air. Printing these from an open spool will cause bubbling, stringing, poor layer adhesion, and weak parts. For these materials, always print from a dry box: DIY option (get a large airtight container big enough for your 2–3 kg spool, fill it with desiccant packets, and drill a small hole for the PTFE tube to pass through), or ready-made dry boxes (products like the eSun eBOX, Polymaker PolyBox, Sunlu FilaDryer, or similar active-drying enclosures).
Avoid sharp bends
When using a dry box, make sure the filament path from the box to the side-loading port has no sharp bends. Rigid filaments (carbon-filled, glass-filled) can snap at tight bend points. See the Filament Breaks Inside Tube Guide for more details.
Tools and Materials
- Universal spool holder for 3 kg spools (STL)
- Dry box or airtight container with desiccant (for moisture-sensitive filaments)
- PTFE tubing (if additional length is needed – the stock tubes may be long enough)
Side-Loading Ports Location
The V4 has two side-loading ports – one on each side of the machine (left and right). They are positioned on the side panels, below the midpoint of the wall and closer to the rear.
Each side-loading port corresponds to one toolhead:
- Left port → Tool 0 (left toolhead)
- Right port → Tool 1 (right toolhead)
Switching PTFE Tubes From Internal to External Ports
By default, the PTFE tubes are connected to the internal loading ports (inside the chamber, used for in-chamber spool holders). To feed filament from outside, you need to move the tubes to the external side-loading ports.
- Open the rear doors of the printer to access the PTFE tube routing area.
- Locate the PTFE tube connected to the internal loading port for the toolhead you want to switch. The internal ports are inside the chamber, near the rear wall.
- Push down on the PTFE fitting collet and pull the tube out of the internal port.
- Pull the tube fully free from the internal port area. Set the tube aside – you will reconnect it to the external port next.
- Route the disconnected PTFE tube toward the side-loading port on the corresponding side panel.
- Push the PTFE tube into the external side-loading port until it seats firmly. You should feel the tube bottom out inside the fitting.
- Give the tube a gentle pull to confirm it is locked in the fitting. It should not slide out.
- Repeat steps 2–7 for the second toolhead if you need to feed both spools externally.
- Check the PTFE tube routing from the external port through the rear area and up to the extruder. The tube should have smooth, gentle curves – no sharp bends or kinks.
Check bend radius for rigid filaments
If you are printing with rigid filaments (carbon-filled, glass-filled composites), check that no section of the tube has a bend radius tighter than approximately 50 mm (≈ 2 in.). Sharp bends will cause the filament to snap. See the Filament Breaks Inside Tube Guide for solutions.
- Close the rear doors.
Setting Up the External Spool
- Before using external spools, print the universal spool holder (STL). This holder fits various spool widths and diameters up to 3 kg.
- Place the spool on the printed spool holder next to the printer, aligned with the corresponding side-loading port.
- If you are using a moisture-sensitive material, place the spool inside a dry box. Thread the filament through the dry box's outlet and into the PTFE tube connected to the side-loading port.
- Feed the filament into the PTFE tube. Push it through until it reaches the extruder inside the printer.
- Load the filament through the Web Interface or the printer's load macro as you normally would.
Switching Back to Internal Spools
If you want to go back to using in-chamber spool holders, reverse the process:
- Unload the filament through the Web Interface.
- Open the rear doors.
- Disconnect the PTFE tube from the external side-loading port (push the collet, pull the tube).
- Reconnect the PTFE tube to the internal port inside the chamber.
- Close the rear doors.
- Load filament from the internal spool holder as usual.
FAQ
Troubleshooting
Support
If you could not find an answer here, reach out to our support team.