UM2+ Print Stops Halfway - HELP!

[PrintMonkey 1]

Hi, Do you have any ideas why my print is stopping at a particular point every time despite redawning and reorientating?

Please see attached images that illustrate the model and where it stops in purple. The UM2+ says complete on the screen at the purple point.

I'm using Ultimaker 2+, Cura 5.2.1 & Sketchup Pro.

The model is using TPE 60D with 0.8 nozzle and Tree support in the well between the two flats.

Thank you so much for any advice, I'm really scratching my head on this one.

I've also added the Gcode.

 

Stops here

Full model

UM2_Spoon Rest.gcode

Edited February 23, 2023 by PrintMonkey

[Stewered 2]

Hi, Do you have any ideas why my printer vinyl is stopping at a particular point every time despite redawning and reorientating?

[Stewered 2]

Typically this 3D printing problem is attributable to two parts of the printing process — either something is wrong with your filament supply, or there's a problem with the hot end/nozzle itself. It could be as simple a case as your filament has run out.

[libertyhouseplans 2]

That really is a head-scratcher. I'd imagine a clogged nozzle if it weren't for the fact that the printer is telling you the print is complete.

 

I examined the model, itself, in Preview mode in Cura, and there are no clues there.

 

Then I examined your GCode in SimpleText, and the End command is after the final layer (249). So that's as it should be.

 

I've read about firmware updates messing with the end point of a print. This seems too early in the print for that to be the case, but if you have time and no other options to investigate, you could update your printer's firmware.

 

 

[PrintMonkey 1]

Thank you for the replies, especially libertyhouseplans. I changed material in the end to ABS to get the job done and never resolved the problem.

I've recently come back to TPE 60D material from BASF and have the same problem on a completely different model. I'm still scratching my head!

I had noticed an expansion of the filament itself that blocked the delivery tube by much friction which stopped the extrusion. However the last print stopped at the same place, and this was not the case. Nor was there any nozzle block.

I wonder if anyone has successfully used this material -  TPE 60D?

Edited February 23, 2023 by PrintMonkey

[Dustin 130]

TPE 60D is asking a lot out of the Bowden feeder system.. 

Try reducing your print speeds and by 50-70%

[PrintMonkey 1]

Thank you that is very helpful advice. I am finding more often than not there is slip in filament delivery - likely from many retractions at the point in the model where retractions are more frequent. I suspect this is grinding the filament at a specific point so there is no grip. I will try reducing speed by 70% and increasing or reducing feeder grip pressure and report back.

I am a little confused though because the softer PTU prints fine!

Edited February 23, 2023 by PrintMonkey

[PrintMonkey 1]

Success!

I found friction in the feeding tube (from extruder to hotend) was the biggest contributor to the problem. There were two prime issues causing excessive friction that slowed, then stop filament movement:

 

Prime Causes:

• TPE 60D has a rubber to touch feel. This slips much less than most materials against the inside of the feeding tube.
• During print, repetitive retractions combine with issue a) that causes a nipping of the material by the extruder. This causes the filament to expand causing more friction inside the feeding tube.

Based on:

• UM2+
• 0.4mm Nozzle @230°
• bed @60°
• Speed 40mm/s
• 100% infill w/tree support - Cura5.3.0

Solution:

• Clean the extruder
• Clean the feeding tube
• Reduce the extruder pressure from mean setting for most materials
• Reduce printing speed by 50% from above

Optional solution if problem persists:

• Reduce the feeding tube length (in so reducing printable area)
• Reduce printing speed by 70% from above

Thank you all.

I now aim to make further changes to print down at 0.25mm Nozzle which is out of materials spec.

 

[gr5 2,177]

I offer this advice often but most people refuse to follow it because it just sounds wrong.  But it's very easy to do and it works great.  People think the oil will get in the print and mess it up.  The opposite is true.  The print comes out much better.

 

Add a drop of mineral oil to the filament below the feeder.  one drop per meter of filament is more than enough.  Do the first drop before you insert the filament to get oil in the bowden from the very begining.  Ideally you will see thousands of tiny drops of oil in the bowden.

 

Every hour or so - or every meter of filament printed, add another drop.  With flexible filament you can unspool a meter and let it hang down below the printer if the printer is on the back edge of a table.  That way you can add one drop and it slides down the filament to the U curve at the bottom.

 

Alternatively, 3dsolex sells teflon bowden tubes for UM2 (and UM3/S3/S5/S7).  I don't like the teflon tubes because you can't see inside the tube very well - they are more white than clear and you can see if the tube has filament or not but you can't see the teeth marks on the filament or other potential problems (chewed, cracked filament).  Most people love the teflon bowdens.  3dsolex calls it "super slip" bowdens.

[PrintMonkey 1]

Thank you gr5 I will buy one of those. 

[gr5 2,177]

See?  I knew it.  No one wants to do the oil.  🙂   sad.

 

[libertyhouseplans 2]

@gr5 Your pirate logic has won me over. I'll try the oil. 🙂

[PrintMonkey 1]

Oil is essential to successfully print with the 0.25mm nozzle. There is a smell from the oil heating but it is the only way to print with 0.25mm I've found. I'm next going to select a plastic rubber down to Sure A 70 using oil and teflon tube.