Large Spool Printing

This guide covers how to use large filament spools (2 kg, 3 kg, or bigger) with the 22 IDEX 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.

Safety and Warnings

Warning: WARNING: Turn off the printer and unplug it from the power outlet. Make sure the printer is completely powered off before starting any work. WARNING: Wait at least 60 seconds after powering off for the capacitors to discharge. WARNING: The nozzles and heated bed may still be hot after a recent print. Let all heated components cool to room temperature before touching. IMPORTANT: 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: What You Need to Know

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.

Dry your filament before loading:

Use the printer's heated chamber as a drying oven (heat the chamber without printing).
Use a standalone filament dryer.
Use any other drying method you prefer.

For detailed drying temperatures and times, see the Filament Drying Guide.

Info: IMPORTANT: 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. This is the simplest and cheapest approach.
Ready-made dry boxes: Products like the eSun eBOX, Polymaker PolyBox, Sunlu FilaDryer, or similar active-drying enclosures keep filament dry while feeding it to the printer.

Info: IMPORTANT: 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 � download and print from MakerWorld
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)

Locating the Side-Loading Ports

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.

Opening the Rear Doors

Open the rear doors of the printer to access the PTFE tube routing area.

Disconnecting the Internal Tubes

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.

Connecting to the External Side-Loading Port

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.

Verifying the Tube Path

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.

Warning: IMPORTANT: 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. Download the model: 3 kg Filament Large Spool Holder. 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 DWC 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 DWC.
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

Can I use one toolhead internally and the other externally at the same time?

Yes. Each toolhead has its own independent PTFE tube path. You can have Tool 0 feeding from an external spool and Tool 1 using the internal spool holder (or vice versa).

Do I need to recalibrate after switching ports?

No. Switching between internal and external ports does not affect nozzle position, Z-offset, or any calibration values. The filament path changes, but the toolhead geometry stays the same.

Can I reuse the stock PTFE tubes for external feeding?

Yes, as long as the tube is not kinked or damaged. If the stock tube is too short to reach your external spool, replace it with a longer section of the same inner diameter PTFE tubing.

What spool holder should I use for large spools?

Print the 3 kg Filament Large Spool Holder � it supports adjustable width and hub diameter, so it fits spools of different sizes from different manufacturers.

How do I know if my material needs a dry box?

If the material datasheet mentions "keep sealed" or "dry before use", use a dry box. Nylon, PEEK, PEKK, PEI (ULTEM), PPSU, PVA, and TPU all fall into this category. For PLA, ABS, ASA, PETG, and PC � drying before the print is usually enough without a continuous dry box.

Troubleshooting

Issue: Filament snaps inside the PTFE tube when using external loading.
Cause: Sharp bends in the tube path, especially with rigid/composite filaments.
Solution: Reroute the tube to eliminate tight bends. Open the rear doors if needed to give the tube more room. See the Filament Breaks Inside Tube Guide for detailed solutions.

Issue: Filament does not reach the extruder � it stops partway through the tube.
Cause: The PTFE tube is not fully seated in the port, or there is a kink blocking the path.
Solution: Disconnect the tube and reinsert it, making sure it bottoms out in the fitting. Check the full tube length for kinks or pinched sections.

Issue: Print quality is poor (bubbling, stringing, weak layers) when printing from an external spool.
Cause: The filament has absorbed moisture from ambient air.
Solution: Dry the filament before printing. For hygroscopic materials, always use a dry box. See the Filament Drying Guide.

Issue: PTFE tube pops out of the side-loading port or fitting during printing.
Cause: Fitting collet not fully engaged, or tube not pushed in far enough.
Solution: Push the tube in until it bottoms out. Pull gently to confirm the collet locks it in place. Replace the fitting if it no longer holds.

Support

Vision Miner Support

Email: support@visionminer.com
Phone: +1 (949) 522-4422

Large Spool Printing

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