End of filament reel

[hxorn00b 0]

I'm getting close to the end of the filament reel and noticed that the tension might be causing the extruder to malfunction and stop extruding. More specifically, the bolts holding the extruder together are loosened and the gray plastic nut holding the filament in place (pressing against the extruder gear) is out of place.

Has anyone have similar problems and what is the solution since I'd like to use the whole reel of filament.

Thanks in advance for your help.

hxorn00b

[Daid 306]

Could you take some photo's? I'm not entirely sure which parts you are talking about. And I rather not give the wrong advice.

[hxorn00b 0]

OK I figured this out. It turns out that there were a couple of loose screws on the extrusion unit and after tightening the problem is gone away.

This is not the first time that loose screws were the culprit. Is there a way to keep the screws tight on the ultimaker?

[IRobertI 521]

You can change the nuts to so called nylock nuts, it's the kind with a little blue (usually) disc on one end. IIRC the Ultimaker uses a few of those somewhere but I've forgotten where. These are usually a bit fatter than the standard kind so clearance might be an issue.

Another alternative is to put a bit of Loctite thread lock on the screws. It comes in a little tube kinda like super glue and that's basically what it is, glue for threads.

[jterry94 0]

If you use Loctite, make sure you use one that can be removed without heating. There are multiple types of Loctite and some are nearly impossible to get apart. I think it is Loctite 242 that can be removed with easily.