feeder plug

[edgar-meyer 0]

My Ultimaker consistently fails with a ~1cm plug blocking PLA feed.

It happens sooner at high or low temperatures and faster x-y print speeds;

I could print a full 3mm over 2 hrs (Cura default settings; 25% speed) with nice-looking thread - then - basta!

I am unable to complete a single print job.

The print gear continues to work; the temperature of the nozzle holds constant - but a plug forms and feed is subsequently blocked

WHY?

and WHAT can I do to fix it?

EM

[edgar-meyer 0]

Huh?

Howzat?

[joergen 2]

My Ultimaker consistently fails with a ~1cm plug blocking PLA feed.

It happens sooner at high or low temperatures and faster x-y print speeds;

I could print a full 3mm over 2 hrs (Cura default settings; 25% speed) with nice-looking thread - then - basta!

I am unable to complete a single print job.

The print gear continues to work; the temperature of the nozzle holds constant - but a plug forms and feed is subsequently blocked

WHY?

and WHAT can I do to fix it?

EM

Have a look at http://wiki.ultimaker.com/Jamming

If you let your machine stand too hot for too long, heat will creep up the bowden tube. if you print too hot, liquid PLA will flow up the tube (back flow), also causing a plug. the goal is to print at the lowest acceptable temp for your current print speed (mm/sec) and layer thickness.

[edgar-meyer 0]

Joregen,

thanks for the suggestions and the useful web link

I cleaned and reassembled the extruder - the 6hr print ran for 4 hours before plugging - I had it running at the lowest useful temperature.

How much latitude is there is varying the extrusion speed? It was feeding the entire time, at the lowest possible temperature - so I am at a loss how to compose and execute a complete printing job.

does anyone else have consistent plugging problems???

thanks,

EM

[joergen 2]

I cleaned and reassembled the extruder - the 6hr print ran for 4 hours before plugging - I had it running at the lowest useful temperature.

How much latitude is there is varying the extrusion speed? It was feeding the entire time, at the lowest possible temperature - so I am at a loss how to compose and execute a complete printing job. does anyone else have consistent plugging problems???

If you have a consistent plug problem, you probably have a gap between the bowden and the brass, or a gap forms after you start printing, because the teeth of the bowden retainer ring have no grip. try printing/installing the owen bowden reinforcement: http://www.thingiverse.com/thing:11864 since that might help to prevent the gap, especially since printing at the lowest possible temp puts a lot of pressure onto the retainer ring and the bowden tube.

[c-ernst 1]

also tighten up the aluminum long thumb screws while everything is hot. I found there was some expansion on long print jobs and I ended up with a gap between the bowen and the peek.

Chuck