--- title: "Upgrade your printer: Smart fan (BCN3D Sigma)" description: Save energy and avoid some noise during the pre-heat with this upgrade --- [Skip to content](https://support.bcn3d.com/knowledge/upgrade-smart-fan-bcn3d-sigma#main-content) - [English](https://support.bcn3d.com/knowledge/upgrade-smart-fan-bcn3d-sigma) - [Español](https://support.bcn3d.com/es/knowledge/upgrade-smart-fan-bcn3d-sigma) English Show submenu for translations [Contact support](https://support.bcn3d.com/knowledge/kb-tickets/new?hsLang=en) [Customer portal](https://support.bcn3d.com/repair-service?hsLang=en) ![knowledge-base-header-bcn3d-logo.png\]](https://support.bcn3d.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Knowledge%20base/Header/knowledge-base-header-bcn3d-logo.png?height=40&name=knowledge-base-header-bcn3d-logo.png) - [Default HubSpot Blog](https://blog.bcn3d.com/) Open main navigation Close main navigation - [Default HubSpot Blog](https://blog.bcn3d.com/) - - [English](https://support.bcn3d.com/knowledge/upgrade-smart-fan-bcn3d-sigma) - [Español](https://support.bcn3d.com/es/knowledge/upgrade-smart-fan-bcn3d-sigma) English Show submenu for translations - [Contact support](https://support.bcn3d.com/knowledge/kb-tickets/new) - [Customer portal](https://support.bcn3d.com/repair-service) - [BCN3D forum](https://www.bcn3d.com/community/) [BCN3D forum](https://www.bcn3d.com/community/) Hello. How can we help you? - There are no suggestions because the search field is empty. 1. [Knowledge base - BCN3D](https://support.bcn3d.com/knowledge?hsLang=en) 2. [Sigma + Sigmax](https://support.bcn3d.com/knowledge/sigma-sigmax?hsLang=en) 3. [Maintenance](https://support.bcn3d.com/knowledge/sigma-sigmax?hsLang=en#maintenance) # Upgrade your printer: Smart fan (BCN3D Sigma) ## Save energy and avoid some noise during the pre-heat with this upgrade   | **Tools** |   | | --- | --- | | ![allen-2-icon](https://support.bcn3d.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Knowledge%20base/Tools/allen-2-icon.png?width=16&name=allen-2-icon.png) | > Allen key 2mm | | ![allen-icon](https://support.bcn3d.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Knowledge%20base/Tools/allen-icon.png?width=21&name=allen-icon.png) | > Allen key 2.5mm | | ![phillips-screwdriver-01](https://support.bcn3d.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Knowledge%20base/Tools/phillips-screwdriver-01.png?width=75&name=phillips-screwdriver-01.png) | > Crosshead screwdriver | | ![pliers-icon](https://support.bcn3d.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Knowledge%20base/Tools/pliers-icon.png?width=75&name=pliers-icon.png) | > Scissors | ---   This upgrade is only for the early Sigma units that don't have the new extruder board and cooler fan that only turns on when the hotend has a temperature over 90ºC.   Before starting the upgrade, turn off and disconnect the printer. | ![sigma-turn-off-1](https://support.bcn3d.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Knowledge%20base/Sigma-Sigmax%20R19/Apagar%20impresora/sigma-turn-off-1.png?width=459&name=sigma-turn-off-1.png) | ![sigma-turn-off-2](https://support.bcn3d.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Knowledge%20base/Sigma-Sigmax%20R19/Apagar%20impresora/sigma-turn-off-2.png?width=459&name=sigma-turn-off-2.png) | | --- | --- |   | **1.** Remove the four Allen screws from the hotend and the printed cover. | ![screw-icon](https://support.bcn3d.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Knowledge%20base/Tools/screw-icon.png?width=18&name=screw-icon.png)**x2 M3 6mm** **![screw-icon](https://support.bcn3d.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Knowledge%20base/Tools/screw-icon.png?width=18&name=screw-icon.png)x2 M3 8mm** | | --- | --- | ![bcn3d-sigma-upgrade-1](https://support.bcn3d.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Knowledge%20base/Sigma-Sigmax%20R19/sigma%20upgrade/bcn3d-sigma-upgrade-1.png?width=600&name=bcn3d-sigma-upgrade-1.png) **2.** Remove and slide the cover-up. You can hold the cover like in the following picture. ![](https://support.bcn3d.com/hs-fs/hubfs/image-png-Aug-05-2020-11-38-45-68-AM.png?width=600&name=image-png-Aug-05-2020-11-38-45-68-AM.png) **3.** Cut the zip-tie and remove it. ![](https://support.bcn3d.com/hs-fs/hubfs/image-png-Aug-05-2020-11-39-13-61-AM.png?width=597&name=image-png-Aug-05-2020-11-39-13-61-AM.png) **4.** Disconnect the cable from the hotend pressing de connector. | ![bcn3d-sigma-upgrade-2](https://support.bcn3d.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Knowledge%20base/Sigma-Sigmax%20R19/sigma%20upgrade/bcn3d-sigma-upgrade-2.png?width=387&name=bcn3d-sigma-upgrade-2.png) | ![bcn3d-sigma-upgrade-3](https://support.bcn3d.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Knowledge%20base/Sigma-Sigmax%20R19/sigma%20upgrade/bcn3d-sigma-upgrade-3.png?width=387&name=bcn3d-sigma-upgrade-3.png) | | --- | --- |   **5.** Take the hotend out of the tool head. ![](https://support.bcn3d.com/hs-fs/hubfs/image-png-Aug-05-2020-11-40-26-18-AM.png?width=600&name=image-png-Aug-05-2020-11-40-26-18-AM.png) | **6.** Remove the flat cable holder unscrewing its Allen screw. | ![screw-icon](https://support.bcn3d.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Knowledge%20base/Tools/screw-icon.png?width=18&name=screw-icon.png)**x1 M3 10mm** | | --- | --- | ![bcn3d-sigma-upgrade-4](https://support.bcn3d.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Knowledge%20base/Sigma-Sigmax%20R19/sigma%20upgrade/bcn3d-sigma-upgrade-4.png?width=600&name=bcn3d-sigma-upgrade-4.png) **7.** Gently release the latch, first one side and then the other. Remove the flat cable. | ![bcn3d-sigma-upgrade-5](https://support.bcn3d.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Knowledge%20base/Sigma-Sigmax%20R19/sigma%20upgrade/bcn3d-sigma-upgrade-5.png?width=387&name=bcn3d-sigma-upgrade-5.png) | ![bcn3d-sigma-upgrade-6](https://support.bcn3d.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Knowledge%20base/Sigma-Sigmax%20R19/sigma%20upgrade/bcn3d-sigma-upgrade-6.png?width=387&name=bcn3d-sigma-upgrade-6.png) | | --- | --- |   **8.** Remove the other cables holder unscrewing the Allen screw. Disconnect the cables of the endstop and the two fans. | ![bcn3d-sigma-upgrade-7](https://support.bcn3d.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Knowledge%20base/Sigma-Sigmax%20R19/sigma%20upgrade/bcn3d-sigma-upgrade-7.png?width=387&name=bcn3d-sigma-upgrade-7.png) | ![bcn3d-sigma-upgrade-8](https://support.bcn3d.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Knowledge%20base/Sigma-Sigmax%20R19/sigma%20upgrade/bcn3d-sigma-upgrade-8.png?width=387&name=bcn3d-sigma-upgrade-8.png) | | --- | --- |   | **9.** Unscrew the two Phillip screws from the cooler fan and the Allen screw from the toolhead cover. Then, remove the cooler fan. | ![screw-icon](https://support.bcn3d.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Knowledge%20base/Tools/screw-icon.png?width=18&name=screw-icon.png)**x2 M3.2 9.5mm** | | --- | --- | | ![bcn3d-sigma-upgrade-9](https://support.bcn3d.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Knowledge%20base/Sigma-Sigmax%20R19/sigma%20upgrade/bcn3d-sigma-upgrade-9.png?width=387&name=bcn3d-sigma-upgrade-9.png) | ![bcn3d-sigma-upgrade-10](https://support.bcn3d.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Knowledge%20base/Sigma-Sigmax%20R19/sigma%20upgrade/bcn3d-sigma-upgrade-10.png?width=387&name=bcn3d-sigma-upgrade-10.png) | | --- | --- |   **10.** Take the new fan and make sure its cable is out of the locking tab | ![bcn3d-sigma-upgrade-11-2](https://support.bcn3d.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Knowledge%20base/Sigma-Sigmax%20R19/sigma%20upgrade/bcn3d-sigma-upgrade-11-2.png?width=387&name=bcn3d-sigma-upgrade-11-2.png) | ![bcn3d-sigma-upgrade-11](https://support.bcn3d.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Knowledge%20base/Sigma-Sigmax%20R19/sigma%20upgrade/bcn3d-sigma-upgrade-11.png?width=387&name=bcn3d-sigma-upgrade-11.png) | | --- | --- |   **11.** Insert the fan cable through the hole of the corner as the following pictures. | ![bcn3d-sigma-upgrade-12](https://support.bcn3d.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Knowledge%20base/Sigma-Sigmax%20R19/sigma%20upgrade/bcn3d-sigma-upgrade-12.png?width=387&name=bcn3d-sigma-upgrade-12.png) | ![bcn3d-sigma-upgrade-13](https://support.bcn3d.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Knowledge%20base/Sigma-Sigmax%20R19/sigma%20upgrade/bcn3d-sigma-upgrade-13.png?width=387&name=bcn3d-sigma-upgrade-13.png) | | --- | --- |   **12.** Make sure to put the fan in the correct position, with the sticker inwards and the cable as the following picture. ![bcn3d-sigma-upgrade-14](https://support.bcn3d.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Knowledge%20base/Sigma-Sigmax%20R19/sigma%20upgrade/bcn3d-sigma-upgrade-14.png?width=387&name=bcn3d-sigma-upgrade-14.png) | **13.** Screw halfway the two Phillip screws of the cooler fan. | ![screw-icon](https://support.bcn3d.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Knowledge%20base/Tools/screw-icon.png?width=18&name=screw-icon.png)**x2 M3.2 9.5mm** | | --- | --- | ![bcn3d-sigma-upgrade-19](https://support.bcn3d.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Knowledge%20base/Sigma-Sigmax%20R19/sigma%20upgrade/bcn3d-sigma-upgrade-19.png?width=387&name=bcn3d-sigma-upgrade-19.png) | **14.** Remove the two Allen screws and the four nylon washers of the old connection board. | ![screw-icon](https://support.bcn3d.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Knowledge%20base/Tools/screw-icon.png?width=18&name=screw-icon.png)**x2 M3 6mm** **![washer-icon](https://support.bcn3d.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Knowledge%20base/Tools/washer-icon.png?width=30&name=washer-icon.png)x4** | | --- | --- | ![bcn3d-sigma-upgrade-15](https://support.bcn3d.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Knowledge%20base/Sigma-Sigmax%20R19/sigma%20upgrade/bcn3d-sigma-upgrade-15.png?width=387&name=bcn3d-sigma-upgrade-15.png)   **15.** Take the new connection board with the same screws and washers and screw them on the same metal sheet. The washers have to be on both sides of the connection board.   | ![new-extruder-board-bcn3d](https://support.bcn3d.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Knowledge%20base/General/new-extruder-board-bcn3d.jpg?width=250&name=new-extruder-board-bcn3d.jpg) | ![old-extruder-board-bcn3d](https://support.bcn3d.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Knowledge%20base/General/old-extruder-board-bcn3d.jpg?width=250&name=old-extruder-board-bcn3d.jpg) | | --- | --- | | R16 Older Extruder board | R17 \| R19 Extruder board |   **16.** Connect the two fans and the endstop. Look closely where each one is connected. **![bcn3d-sigma-upgrade-16](https://support.bcn3d.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Knowledge%20base/Sigma-Sigmax%20R19/sigma%20upgrade/bcn3d-sigma-upgrade-16.png?width=387&name=bcn3d-sigma-upgrade-16.png)** **17.** Position this assembly in its place and screw the holder with the cables well positioned. Connect the flat cable. First, pull the latch-up gently, then insert de the flat cable in the connector carefully, and finally push the latch down. Make sure the latch is really tight. | ![bcn3d-sigma-upgrade-17](https://support.bcn3d.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Knowledge%20base/Sigma-Sigmax%20R19/sigma%20upgrade/bcn3d-sigma-upgrade-17.png?width=387&name=bcn3d-sigma-upgrade-17.png) | ![bcn3d-sigma-upgrade-18](https://support.bcn3d.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Knowledge%20base/Sigma-Sigmax%20R19/sigma%20upgrade/bcn3d-sigma-upgrade-18.png?width=387&name=bcn3d-sigma-upgrade-18.png) | | --- | --- |   **Conclusions** This upgrade will make your printer make less noise when it is printing and save energy when it is on standby. It's important to check the connections of the flat cables before powering the printer back up, you will find more information about this here:  [How to check flat cable connections](https://support.bcn3d.com/knowledge/check-flat-cable-connections-bcn3d-sigma?hsLang=en) #### [Forum Community](https://support.bcn3d.com/knowledge/bcn3d-forum-community?hsLang=en) Need more tips? Check out our [**forum community**](https://support.bcn3d.com/knowledge/bcn3d-forum-community?hsLang=en) for more info about this   It's important to keep your printer in good shape to make the most out of it. In this chart, you can find a list of the extruder maintenance procedures and how frequently these should be done. [Maintenance Plan](https://support.bcn3d.com/knowledge/maintenance-plan-bcn3d-sigmax?hsLang=en)   ![bcn3d-recycle](https://support.bcn3d.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Knowledge%20base/Tools/bcn3d-recycle.png?width=27&name=bcn3d-recycle.png)  Take your e-waste to a certified recycler. [Check how we do it in BCN3D.](https://support.bcn3d.com/knowledge/environment-bcn3d?hsLang=en)   | **Parts** |   | Buy these parts | | --- | --- | --- | | ![cooler-fan-bcn3d](https://support.bcn3d.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Knowledge%20base/Components/cooler-fan-bcn3d.png?width=329&name=cooler-fan-bcn3d.png) | Sigma / Sigmax - R17 \| R19 Cooler Fan | [SKU 11034](https://www.bcn3d.com/product/cooler-fan/) | | ![](https://support.bcn3d.com/hubfs/image-png-Sep-28-2020-10-53-44-27-AM.png) | Sigma / Sigmax - R17 \| R19 Extruder Board | [SKU 16100](https://www.bcn3d.com/product/extruder-board/) |   | --- #### RELATED ARTICLES | | --- | | [![upgrade printer sigma EN](https://support.bcn3d.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Knowledge%20base/Related%20Articles%20English/upgrade%20printer%20sigma%20EN.png?width=336&name=upgrade%20printer%20sigma%20EN.png)](https://support.bcn3d.com/knowledge/upgrade-bcn3d-sigma?hsLang=en)   | [![upgrade printer driver EN](https://support.bcn3d.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Knowledge%20base/Related%20Articles%20English/upgrade%20printer%20driver%20EN.png?width=336&name=upgrade%20printer%20driver%20EN.png)](https://support.bcn3d.com/knowledge/upgrade-motor-drivers-bcn3d-sigma?hsLang=en)   | | --- | --- | | **You can help improve the BCN3D Knowledge Base.** If you feel there are guides that we are missing or you found any error, please use this form to report it. **[Report form](https://share.hsforms.com/1F7t1sBuOQyWlAeRwwFSjgQ3fec5)** :) | | --- | - 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