Extruder
This guide covers replacing the extruder on the Vision Miner 22IDEX V4. You may need this procedure if the extruder is jammed, damaged, worn out, or if you are upgrading to a different extruder model. The procedure applies to both Tool 0 (left) and Tool 1 (right) – the steps are identical but mirrored.
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.
This is an advanced procedure that requires careful preparation and takes a significant amount of time. Read through the entire guide before starting, and make sure you have all the tools and the replacement extruder ready.
Tools and Materials
- 2 mm Hex screwdriver (hex wrench)
- 2.5 mm Hex screwdriver (hex wrench)
- Threadlocker (we recommend Loctite 243)
- Replacement extruder
- Soft cloth or protective material (to cover the print bed)
Preparation
- Unload the filament from the toolhead you are working on.
- Lower the bed to approximately the middle of the printer to create working space above it.
- Cover the bed with a soft cloth or protective material to prevent damage from dropped screws or parts.
Removing the Fan Shroud and Cable Cover
- Unscrew the two screws holding the cable cover and fan shroud using a 2 mm hex screwdriver. On Tool 0, the screws are on the left side; on Tool 1, on the right side (when viewed from the front of the printer).
- Remove the cable cover and the fan shroud.
Before disconnecting any wires, note (or photograph) the wire positions and order on the terminal block. This will make reassembly much easier.
- Disconnect the fan wire from the terminal block. Press the orange release tab on the connector using a 2 mm hex screwdriver while supporting the terminal block holder from behind to avoid bending it. Support the terminal block holder from behind while pressing the release tab – pressing without counter-support can bend or break the holder. Note the wire order before disconnecting: black wire on top, red wire second from top.
Removing the Hotend Assembly
- Disconnect all cables going to the hotend from the terminal block. Use the same technique as in step 6 – press the orange release tabs with a 2 mm hex screwdriver while supporting the holder from behind.
- Unscrew the two screws holding the hotend assembly using a 2 mm hex screwdriver.
- Remove the hotend assembly (heatsink, heatbreak, heater block, nozzle, and PEEK transition piece) from the extruder. Set it aside on a clean surface.
Removing the Terminal Block Holder
- Disconnect the motor cable from the motor.
- Unscrew two screws on the back of the terminal block holder using a 2.5 mm hex screwdriver. These screws attach the holder to the motor.
- Unscrew one screw from the bottom of the terminal block holder using a 2 mm hex screwdriver. This screw attaches the holder to the tool plate (the mounting plate between the carriage and the extruder/motor).
- The cable channel with its bracket is now fully separated from the extruder and motor assembly. Move it aside carefully.
Removing the Motor and Extruder Assembly
- Unscrew two screws from underneath the extruder using a 2 mm hex screwdriver. These screws attach the motor+extruder assembly to the tool plate from below.
- Remove the motor and extruder assembly from the tool plate.
Separating the Extruder from the Motor
Only perform this step if the motor is in good condition and you are reusing it. If you are replacing the entire motor+extruder assembly, skip to the Reassembly section.
- On the front face of the extruder, locate two diagonally positioned screws as shown in the photo.
- Unscrew both screws using a 2 mm hex screwdriver.
- Separate the extruder from the motor.
Reassembly
Reassemble in reverse order. Follow the steps below – they highlight the critical details that differ from simple reversal.
- Attach the new extruder to the motor. Align it and secure with the two diagonal screws.
- Place the motor+extruder assembly onto the tool plate. Insert the two screws from underneath – hand-tighten only, do not fully tighten yet.
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Secure the terminal block holder with two screws on the back (2.5 mm hex screwdriver) and one screw on the bottom (2 mm hex screwdriver). Apply threadlocker to the bottom screw of the terminal block holder before installing it.
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Tighten the two screws that hold the extruder from below.
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Reconnect the motor cable to the motor.
- Install the hotend assembly into the extruder and secure with two screws using a 2 mm hex screwdriver.
- Reconnect all hotend cables to the terminal block in the same positions as before disassembly. Refer to the photo you took in step 6.
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Reconnect the fan wire: black wire on top, red wire second from top. Press the connector straight in until the orange tab clicks.
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Install the fan shroud and then the cable cover. Secure with two screws using a 2 mm hex screwdriver.
- Remove the protective material from the bed. The extruder replacement is complete.
FAQ
Troubleshooting
Support
If you could not find an answer here, reach out to our support team.