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Topic: Non-constant extrusion issues

So I recently installed a new E3D v6 hotend on my Solidoodle 2 Pro, and along with it came a problem that I haven't seen anyone else have. When the extruder motor turns, it turns in steps. This has been normal behavior for my printer since I've gotten it, even though these steps seem a little large. This never used to be a problem until I installed the E3D, and now it is making lines bumpy. Whenever the motor makes a step, it pushes out more plastic, creating a wide part of a line. Here are 5 lines surrounded by a skirt that I just printed:
http://soliforum.com/i/?Uz1F6Vq.jpg
This doesn't only happen with lines. Here's the first print that I did after installing the E3D (a hollow cube):
http://soliforum.com/i/?MU2g9cZ.jpg http://soliforum.com/i/?MD9oNPR.jpg

After that, I tried increasing the speed from 40 m/s to 60 m/s, and printed the same model. This was the result:
http://soliforum.com/i/?9wAbQg1.jpg

I then brought the speed back down from 60 m/s to 45 m/s, and tried a different model (a solid cube with 20% infill)
http://soliforum.com/i/?iegbETD.jpg http://soliforum.com/i/?kEOYqpl.jpg

All in all, I'm stuck. Nobody seems to have a solution, or even has had this problem. Every time I search about it, the results are about clogged extruders or the sort. Any help or insight would be appreciated.
Here's some additional information:

  • I use Hatchbox 1.75mm ABS filament, and I've tried different colors.

  • I print at 240 C according to the E3D thermistor, and have a glass hairspray-coated heated bed at 100 C.

  • Here's the temperature curve during a print:
    http://soliforum.com/i/?yJBY7AW.png

  • I use lawsy's jigsaw replacement mk5 with feitcounter's mk5 E3D body and bradjshannon's mk5 better locking arm.

Also, I'd like to add that I have not calibrated the flow rate. I cannot get an accurate measurement of thickness with the bumpy nature of the lines. I have, however, adjusted the flow rate to see if it fixes the problem. It did not.

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Re: Non-constant extrusion issues

Simple Moiré, adjust the VREF.  Do a search VREF and you should get plenty of hits.  The shorter much more precise melt zone of the E3d is going to reveal a problem that was being covered up by the much larger melt zone of the stock PEEK style.  Nothing to worry about just a little tuning and you'll wish you had switched to an E3d sooner.

Printit Industries Model 8.10 fully enclosed CoreXY, Chamber heat
3-SD3's & a Workbench all fully enclosed, RH-Slic3r Win7pro, E3D V6, Volcano & Cyclops Hot End
SSR/500W AC Heated Glass Bed, Linear bearings on SS rods. Direct Drive Y-axis, BulldogXL
Thanks to all for your contributions

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Re: Non-constant extrusion issues

Skip over any XYZ DaVinchi posts they used a different style driver.

Printit Industries Model 8.10 fully enclosed CoreXY, Chamber heat
3-SD3's & a Workbench all fully enclosed, RH-Slic3r Win7pro, E3D V6, Volcano & Cyclops Hot End
SSR/500W AC Heated Glass Bed, Linear bearings on SS rods. Direct Drive Y-axis, BulldogXL
Thanks to all for your contributions

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Re: Non-constant extrusion issues

you are not the only one to have experienced this issue, it is actually very common when switching to the E3D hotend.

http://soliforum.com/i/?w1wtM5o.jpg

one of my first runs with one. wink

and yes, it is a voltage issue.

SD4 #1 & #2 - Lawsy carriages, E3D v6, Rumba controller board, mirror bed plate, X motor fan, upgraded PSU & Mica bed heater
SD4 #3 - in the works ~ Folgertech FT-5, rev 1
Printit Industries Beta Tester - Horizon H1

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Re: Non-constant extrusion issues

Thank you for the tips! It's printing beautifully now. Even more so because I have the new E3D big_smile