Extruder Issues??

[caddy-cool 0]

I've got the machine running but when I do a print it puts the raft down and then nothing (it just goes through the motions without putting any material out - the extruder wheel is turning but the spool isn't moving). I already had to take the nozzle to work and clear it using a gas axe/ blow torch. Isn't there a direct support phone line at Ultimaker. The emails can take weeks to get back?

 

[chrisr 18]

Possibly the filament will have been ground down by the feeder so it's no longer being gripped. What material are you printing with and at what temperature? What feed rate? Layer height?

Have you tried the atomic method of cleaning the nozzle?

 

[caddy-cool 0]

Hey Chris. I'm printing PLA at 210 with the bed at 70. The layer height was 0.2mm. Whats the automatic method of cleaning the nozzle?

I had a look at works' Ultimaker today and the extruder is a lot tighter than mine.

 

[chrisr 18]

At what speed are you printing at? Is your PLA 2.85mm diameter? as some PLA is sold in 3mm and that can cause problems.

The "Atomic" method: http://support.3dverkstan.se/article/10-the

is an excellent way to clean out the nozzle. You may want to give it a try in case your nozzle is blocked.

Also check that your feeder hasn't ground a flat spot in the filament (which by the sound of it, it most likely has by now) :smile:

 

[chrisr 18]

There was a handy graph which someone on the forum drew up, which plotted the max feed rate (mm/s) for a 0.2mm layer height against nozzle temperature. But I'm damned if I can find it again... I do have a print out of it though and according to it, at 210C you shouldn't be feeding faster than 60mm/s or you'll see underextrusion.

So try printing at 55mm/s or slower unless you already are. If anyone knows the link to that graph could they post it?

 

[chrisr 18]

Found it! http://umforum.ultimaker.com/index.php?/topic/4127-um2-extrusion-rates-revisited/

more here: (first post)

http://umforum.ultimaker.com/index.php?/topic/3418-um2-extrusion-rates/

I mention it as it's all useful info to have, but it sounds more like your problem is a blocked up nozzle and a ground up filament.