Flashforge AD5X Filament Guide

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This is a piece I often see people post about losing, and it cannot be purchased on its own - the only way to get a replacement is to buy a whole extruder.

Until now. Now you can just print one! Which I recommend doing before you need it.

Compatibility:
- This should be compatible with all versions of the AD5X's extruder. However, it is only real-world tested with V1 (plus "lab-tested" with V2, ie: checking the fit + feeding filament through by hand).
- I have not yet tested printing flexible and/or abrasive materials with this piece installed. I believe flexible, at least, will not be a problem, but it's untested.

Print instructions:
- Use a rigid, heat-resistant, non-abrasive filament (eg. ABS or ASA).
- Use a 0.25mm nozzle if you have one.
- If you are using a 0.4mm nozzle, set all line widths to 0.42mm, including first layer, and make sure you're using Classic wall generator.
- Print with 0.1mm (or smaller) layer heights.
- Supports are needed in the screw holes. I recommend Normal/Snug.
- Print very slow (30-40mm/s), especially if you are using a 0.4mm nozzle.
- Make sure your XY shrinkage is calibrated. It's a small print, but it's also a fairly precise one.

The easiest way to remove the supports is to use a thin alley key or hex/torx screwdriver tip to push them out from the other side.

I don't know exactly what the screws used for this part are - the size is very close to M2.5x6 but the thread is different. Since it essentially self-threads into plastic, a pair of M2.5x6's should do the job if that's all you've got on hand.

If you do not have access to an enclosed printer to print ABS or similar:

• This is a very small and quick print, so the risk of warping is fairly low even with ABS. You might be fine, results-wise, to print this without the enclosure (you'll still need to consider the fumes, though), especially if you enable skirt + draft shield and set the bed to 110.

• You could also use a temporary makeshift enclosure (eg. a large cardboard box).

• It's probably cheap enough to have this part printed for you, especially if you find someone from the community (rather than a paid commercial service) to do it.

• As a last resort, PETG or PCTG might be just good enough.

If a 5X that's missing this piece is your only printer - the purposes of this piece are to guide the filament into the nozzle, and to help align the cutter blade. With a bit of care, you should be able to guide the filament manually into the nozzle and print this piece. And as long as you print it in a single color, you don't need the cutter to work correctly in order to print this piece. If you don't feel comfortable doing that - then I would again point towards the option of finding someone in the 3D printing community in your area who can print it for you.