How-To & Guides8 July 2022

Getting Started with Your Noztek Extruder: The Complete Setup Guide

Everything you need to get your Noztek extruder producing consistent, high-quality filament from the first run — covering installation, material preparation, temperature setting, and the common mistakes that trip up first-time users.

Before Your First Run

Unboxing a new extruder is satisfying; loading it with the wrong material at the wrong temperature and producing a barrel full of degraded polymer is not. A few minutes of preparation will save significant time and frustration. Check that your power supply specification matches the machine requirements. Inspect all connections and verify that the die is correctly seated.

Material Preparation: Drying

Most engineering polymers are hygroscopic — they absorb atmospheric moisture that causes severe problems during processing if not removed.

PLA: 50–60°C for 4–6 hours
ABS: 80°C for 4–6 hours
PETG: 65–70°C for 4–6 hours
Nylon: 80–90°C for 8–12 hours — extremely hygroscopic
PEEK: 150°C for 4–6 hours minimum

Signs of insufficient drying during extrusion: bubbles or voids in the extrudate, sputtering or irregular flow, matt or rough surface finish on the filament. If you see any of these, stop, return material to the dryer, and re-process.

Temperature Setting

Set the barrel temperature to the recommended processing range for your chosen material and allow the machine to stabilise for at least 10–15 minutes before running. Many polymers require a longer soak time to allow temperature to equilibrate across the full barrel cross-section. Rushing this step is a common cause of inconsistent first-run output.

Starting and Monitoring

Begin at a low screw speed and gradually increase while observing the extrudate. The first material to emerge will contain air and possibly degraded polymer from the static heat soak — extrude this to waste until the output is uniform and free of surface defects. Only begin collecting filament when the output is clean and consistent.

Shutdown Procedure

Do not switch off the heater abruptly with material in the barrel. Reduce screw speed to minimum and continue running while the barrel cools to below the glass transition temperature. For high-temperature materials, purge with a lower-temperature transitional material before cooling.