That is a hose clamp that holds his thermocouple on. At first the band that holds the heater on wasn't on.

-os3dp

jessenwn wrote:

Earlier today, when attempting to run the setup after finding out about the odd little factor regarding how my Hopper was positioned, the average amperage pull was sitting at 0.8A, filament was being extruded consistantly without any issue. After letting it run with the filawinder drawing in the ABS, I went to check in on it via camera, noticed the filawinder was no longer pulling ABS and returned to see that the amperage draw was 0.5 and that it was only extruding approximately an inch per minute. After replacing the filter and resuming extrusion, the extrusion rate remained unchanged. Deciding to see if the angle mattered much, I carefully propped the Filastruder up at a 10% angle, the extrusion rate remained un-changed.

That amount of insulation is fine. A few follow up questions:

1.) What material were you extruding?
2.) What temperature was it set to?
3.) How long did it extrude successfully for?

1.) MG94
2.) 193.3C
3.) 10 to 20 minutes of extrusion before it would suddenly drop.

I've made the attempt to adjust the temperature in the attempt to verify it wasn't the pellets melting fast enough. I've also made the attempt of moving the heater element towards the back of the coupler and towards the front. When removing the nozzle to verify the filter wasn't clogged and after replacing it, the extrusion remained at the slower speed, even after removing the ABS that was built up inside of the barrel.

Earlier today, when attempting to run the setup after finding out about the odd little factor regarding how my Hopper was positioned, the average amperage pull was sitting at 0.8A, filament was being extruded consistantly without any issue. After letting it run with the filawinder drawing in the ABS, I went to check in on it via camera, noticed the filawinder was no longer pulling ABS and returned to see that the amperage draw was 0.5 and that it was only extruding approximately an inch per minute. After replacing the filter and resuming extrusion, the extrusion rate remained unchanged. Deciding to see if the angle mattered much, I carefully propped the Filastruder up at a 10% angle, the extrusion rate remained un-changed.

That amount of insulation is fine. A few follow up questions:

1.) What material were you extruding?
2.) What temperature was it set to?
3.) How long did it extrude successfully for?

The first issue I experienced after building the filastruder seemed as if it didn't want to pull any of the ABS pellets. I'm referring to the ABS that was provided to purge any debris out of the Auger, barrel, coupler, and extruder nozzle. The moment there was only 50% of that existing bag left, and that the filastruder had been running for nearly 12 hours up to that point, I decided to shut it down and let it cool down. After deciding to make a wall mounted attempt, the feed rate seemed to had returned to normal for a short period before reverting to the same issues it had when horizontal. I took the system back down, dismantled it then replaced the existing wiring I used when assembling it. After reassembling it and running it once more, the slow feed-rate continued to exist.

Over the course of a few days, I had made the attempt to use the rest of the provided abs, where I had gotten inconsistant feed-rates. As mentioned in the first post I made, the amperage pull was the primary indication along with the sudden stop in production of ABS filament. I noticed the moment the feed-rate seemed to decline, the thickness of the ABS slowly grew thinner until it it reached the values I mentioned before.

After having made a few slight modifications to the existing hopper, removing a small amount of material from the sides so the hopper held a bit more secure to the extruder, the feed rate became a bit more constant, this time lasting for up to 20 minutes before having the sudden decline.

Now the information I'm certain I've neglected to mention, but if this helps, I'll include. The temperature I was able to extrude the FR15U at 196.9C before switching over to the MG94 at 193.3C. Average ambient temperature within the room is 32C. Average Humidity has been at 15%. The average weight of material I put into the hopper at any given time is roughly 3/4th a pound of ABS, given that its not explicitly shown to be that amount currently within that photograph. Now for the things I've done to the unit to get it this far.

After the last disassembly, I cleaned up and removed all of the built on ABS inside of both the nozzle and coupler via an acetone bath. Removing the barrel & flange, I verified it was clean and there was no damage. It appeared to be perfectly straight. I checked on the Auger, verifying everything was clean and well lubricated around the bearing. I moved onto the internals at that point, verified that the Hex socket had the 1-2mm of play to verify it wasn't applying the pressure back against the motor. I replaced most of the existing wiring and carefully reassembled the full unit once more following the provided instructions.

After having been given the advice to replace the heater band, I secured it along with the thermocouplier using a pipe clamp. Temperatures began to hold steady within a single C. I verified the cut in the barrel was facing upwards, still verifying the barrel wasn't bent at all before adding the insulation to it once more. I'm looking at picking up replacement Insulation to cover more of the barrel, although for now the current insulation will have to do.

Earlier today, when attempting to run the setup after finding out about the odd little factor regarding how my Hopper was positioned, the average amperage pull was sitting at 0.8A, filament was being extruded consistantly without any issue. After letting it run with the filawinder drawing in the ABS, I went to check in on it via camera, noticed the filawinder was no longer pulling ABS and returned to see that the amperage draw was 0.5 and that it was only extruding approximately an inch per minute. After replacing the filter and resuming extrusion, the extrusion rate remained unchanged. Deciding to see if the angle mattered much, I carefully propped the Filastruder up at a 10% angle, the extrusion rate remained un-changed.

I'll be using the Filawinder with the VT100 once it comes in, I still need to wait for its own winder to show up.

Here are the included photos, if there are anymore that are needed, let me know.

Yes, I realize I don't have the fan plugged in right now. I'm planning on putting the fan on a mount beside of it instead of beneath.

This is within specifications, on the slow side, but not way out of bounds. Especially not knowing what temperature you're extruding at, and whether the FR15U is completely purged out.

This is weird and I don't understand why it would be, but it makes it sound like things are working fine?

Then you state:

But your previous few posts don't describe these issues, and neither does the post I pulled that quote from. Previous posts indicate "feed just fine", for example.

No, you shouldn't need a wedge in your hopper, there are thousands of Filastruders out there working without wedges in the hopper. It may help, it may not, I haven't tried, but it shouldn't be needed.

A full description of what you're currently facing, along with photos of your current setup (for example I don't know whether you're using insulation or not presently, as your last photo showed a bare barrel) would be helpful in getting this sorted. No need to bang your head against the wall, we're here to help, but need info as to your current situation/problem. As for the Filawinder, if you haven't used it yet, you're welcome to return it.

Jessenwn,

Maybe you need this wedge in your hopper?  An image is included to illustrate.  The wedge restricts the plastic pellets from regurgitating back into the hopper from the auger to maintain more uniform pressure into the melt chamber.

I've considered that and I'll give it a shot once my other extruder comes in. Usually the first 20 minutes after the preheat period and the 20 minute wait just to make sure the excess in the barrel is heated, it runs just fine. Although it does reach that point to where it suddenly stops feed after that point. I've been told to perhaps check for a clog, or insulate the barrel a bit better, yet that hasn't been much help.

Been trying to figure out some solutions not involving having to go out or ordering a roll. But I may just do that if I can get this thing to work. Outside of that though, if I can't figure it out I may just store it in a bin and consider it a failure until the next version comes out, if there is another version. Other then that, I may just have to bite the bullet and order a hopper online for a vertical setup.

I do apologize if I seem frustrated given this, just having gone at this for nearly 2 weeks now has gotten me kind of annoyed. Its one of those I've could had ordered 40 spools online for the same price as both the filastruder and filawinder while waiting for the VT100 to come in. I was hoping to just have both up and running this way I can keep roughly 4 printers fed.

This is the image of the wedge:

Maybe you need this wedge in your hopper?  An image is included to illustrate.  The wedge restricts the plastic pellets from regurgitating back into the hopper from the auger to maintain more uniform pressure into the melt chamber.

That also being said though, if I were to find an auger with a deeper flute, would that possibly solve the issue? I'd think it would create higher pressure within the melting chamber, although I could be mistaken.

jessenwn wrote:

elmoret wrote:

It sounds like extrusion rate is now at 10"/min, this is actually pretty good for plastic with a MFR of 3.3 like what you're using. Correct me if I overlooked something, but that leaves the following issues:

That does sound about right. I've seen conflicting information stating its an MFR of 3.3 to 4.0, I'm still impressed it extrudes as well as it does.

I guess os3dp was rounding up, but its 3.3. You can check for yourself: http://www.matweb.com/search/datasheet. … amp;ckck=1

My Bad!! I clicked on the FR15 not the FR15U on the Sabic site.

-os3dp

1-1.2 amps is pretty normal for ABS. 0.6A might indicate some sort of feeding issue or something, hard to say. You could try a hopper shaker, which is a vibrating motor attached to the hopper.

Glad to hear the other items are sorted.

I'll give it a shot, any particular recommendations? Other wise I may just salvage the vibration motors from a few busted controllers.

elmoret wrote:

It sounds like extrusion rate is now at 10"/min, this is actually pretty good for plastic with a MFR of 3.3 like what you're using. Correct me if I overlooked something, but that leaves the following issues:

That does sound about right. I've seen conflicting information stating its an MFR of 3.3 to 4.0, I'm still impressed it extrudes as well as it does.

I guess os3dp was rounding up, but its 3.3. You can check for yourself: http://www.matweb.com/search/datasheet. … amp;ckck=1

Great!

1-1.2 amps is pretty normal for ABS. 0.6A might indicate some sort of feeding issue or something, hard to say. You could try a hopper shaker, which is a vibrating motor attached to the hopper.

Glad to hear the other items are sorted.