Ideas on a feeder issue

[hoguel 0]

OK, I am now able to download printable files. Thanks for you help this morning.

The new issue: no material is coming out of the nozzle. Now, as recently as last night this was not a problem. However, I changed the material from one color to another, and the other difference is that I changed from 2.85mm to 3.00mm. I vented the excess material in the nozzle, and the new color seemed to come out just fine at that point. I adjusted the machine to the larger diameter PLA. When it did not come out I tried to increase the temp to 260c to melt any blockage. No good. It actually looks like the feeder on the back is not pushing it through. Is there an adjustment to the material feeder module on the back of the unit that is required when you go from 2.85mm to 3.0mm? Any other thoughts?

Thanks.

 

[hoguel 0]

Ok, a little color on the above. I pulled out the 3.00mm and put back the Ultimaker-provided 2.85mm. The filament had a groove in it. At some point, for some reason, the cogwheel just kept spinning at the same point and dug a groove in the filament, so it clearly could not move forward. I tried printing the chest last night, again with the Ultimaker filament, and about 80% through it stopped (grrr). When I removed the filament, there was that groove again. But of course, it got most of the way through the print first. So two scenarios:

1.) On the print of the chest, it actually looks like the filament got tangled on the reel. Of course, this did not appear to be a factor in the two previous times this happened. Still, has anyone had issues with the tangling of the filament? Is this just a case of my being more careful in handling the reel?

2.) Could the issue be the filament feeder itself? I made no changes to anything on that unit since opening the box and have made maybe 10 prints. Would the unit get maladjusted that quickly, and how to I solve? Would it be so sensitive that it would not take the 3.00mm filament, or do I need to make an adjustment for it to take that filament.

Thanks.

 

[mnis 11]

Hi

Oh, I think your question has landed in the wrong forum area.

It sure is a bit misleading, because even in UM2 Manual is about 3mm filament. There is something like: "... 2.85mm filament, also commonly known as 3mm filament" I think that is incorrectly described. It is rather that the entire material guide is designed to enter into HotEnd, for 2.85mm Filament.

But it's so that, for example 2.85mm filament has manufacturing tolerances, of perhaps 2.65 to 3.20mmm.

With 3mm filament it could quickly become very tight, because the UM2 Bowden has an inner diameter of 3.17mm (... with a simple instrument, even measured it)

Therefore, I believe the best approach is:

Use only material that is declared as a 2.85mm filament, and when in doubt the dealer can be held responsible.

Markus

 

[mnis 11]

And possibly it was a very bad decision to heat the HotEnd on 260Grad for a longer period. For problems with the material flow must always be first clarified exactly where the fault lies. Now it may be that PLA combustion residues in HotEnd, these residues cause further problems. It may be that you have to disassemble the entire HotEnd under the guidance so that the UM2 is working properly again. The recently published by gr5 Atomic method, perhaps might be enough it does not require complete disassembly of the Print Head.

Markus

 

[hoguel 0]

Heating to 260C was recommended in the manual, so that is why I tried it. In any event, it was a short, one-time shot and then I put it back to factory standard. Then the chest printed fine for like six hours before going bad. So I still think the issue is either the filament getting tangled on the spool or there being a need to adjust the feeder. I just didn't know if anyone else had run into that need before I go getting all mechanical.

I will say though, that I will certainly default to 2.85mm as much as possible. I liked your comment on the inner diameter. Thanks for that perspective.

 

[mnis 11]

In manual unfortunately are also questionable things.

But no matter...

As I indicated: the case of poor material quality, or wrong material chosen, it can be a bottleneck, and then it eventually comes to a halt somewhere in the print.

Is absolute standstill, or even comes some material from the nozzle orifice?

 

[hoguel 0]

I am going to call it a total standstill. When you retract the filament, there is a groove at the spot that the cogwheel clearly just kept churning over which clearly prohibited the filament from moving forward. I know there has to be pressure on the filament to keep it moving, I just wonder if it is too much pressure and needs to be adjusted at the feeder module. Seems odd that it work for six prints or so and then have this issue. But it began right after putting the 3.0mm through.

 

[mnis 11]

A poor quality of the filament winding is also possible. Many leave the required amount for the print loose on the floor. Also it is possible to optimize the material supply. On Thingyverse, YouMagine there are already some great optional things specifically for the UM2.

And probably a nozzle cleaning is required.

Maybe just a shapeless piece filament before ColdEnd sitting (White PTFE part in front).

 

[mnis 11]

Additional Links:

http://umforum.ultimaker.com/index.php?/topic/6574-a-visual-ultimaker-troubleshooting-guide/?p=60739

http://umforum.ultimaker.com/index.php?/topic/6339-atomic-method-for-various-materials/?p=58264

http://umforum.ultimaker.com/index.php?/topic/4118-blocked-nozzle/?p=33580

http://umforum.ultimaker.com/index.php?/topic/6358-nozzle-flip-back-problem/?p=59412

 

[hoguel 0]

And there is my problem … filament grinding. Thank you for this.

 

[mnis 11]

OK, there are already plenty of material on YouTube, regarding UM2. There you can see for example how the print-head is disassembled, etc. Have you ever looked?

 

[hoguel 0]

Not yet. First, I am going to do what you recommend and uncoil the amount of filament necessary for a print rather than just keep it off the spool. I think I may have had a tangling issue. If that does not work, on to dismantling! Thanks for your help.