SoliForum - 3D Printing Community — PLA troubles - strange

Re: PLA troubles - strange

null@example.com (heartless) — Wed, 06 Jul 2016 02:53:18 +0000

I've reduced retraction to 1mm and that has solved my problems.

my new questions.
#1. how long should I expect to run a nozzle before a cleaning on PLA?

I've been cleaning with two drill bits and a torch. running the bits in by hand to draw out the plastic.
#2 What is your preferred method.

As wardjr said - I don't clean my nozzles either, unless i get a clog on a rare occasion. You really shouldnt need to "clean" the inside unless you are clearing a clog.

I run mine tight enough that they can just be pinched together in the middle with the carriage parked at one end...

#4 any ideas of how to loosen up the y-axis
( I know that #4 could be a hundred different answers...give me a couple of top choices please)

is everything squared up? if one side is slightly ahead/behind the other side it will cause it to bind up...
Loosen the set screw in the right rear pulley, and work the carriages back and forth a little, stopping with things in a neutral position and tighten the set screw again.

#5 is light oil (like 3 in 1) the right choice?

I use 3-in-1 oil all the time on the smooth rods. If you dont think that is enough, you can try a very thin coating of white lithium grease (available at most auto parts stores)

Re: PLA troubles - strange

null@example.com (wardjr) — Tue, 05 Jul 2016 18:21:03 +0000

I don't ever clean my nozzles but rarely use PLA.
3 in 1 oil is fine.
If the Y axis binds as an assembly then you'll have to futz with alignment of the two y belts until you find the sweet spot. You may also find that one of the rods has a slight bend to it, try rotating them 1/4 turn and see if anything changes.
As for belt tension the important thing is that they are equal. I do that by plucking them with the gantry near center and adjust to the same frequency.

Re: PLA troubles - strange

null@example.com (joepayette) — Tue, 05 Jul 2016 18:13:37 +0000

Heartless, WardJr, and Carl. you were a big help.

I've reduced retraction to 1mm and that has solved my problems.

my new questions.
#1. how long should I expect to run a nozzle before a cleaning on PLA?

I've been cleaning with two drill bits and a torch. running the bits in by hand to draw out the plastic.
#2 What is your preferred method.

New problem. I'm running the crap out of my machine
Last night the Y-axis started jumping teeth. I lubed it well with light oil. But it still seem stiff. I took the y axis apart and all parts seem to slide smooth independently. but when I reassembled...it seems a bit stiff as an assembly. I futzed with the tension and now I wonder if the belts are too tight
#3 how do you gauge belt tension
#4 any ideas of how to loosen up the y-axis
( I know that #4 could be a hundred different answers...give me a couple of top choices please)
#5 is light oil (like 3 in 1) the right choice?

Re: PLA troubles - strange

null@example.com (heartless) — Sat, 25 Jun 2016 19:24:45 +0000

Retraction is kind of dependent on the setup you have (hotend & extruder type) and the material being used.

A direct drive system shouldn't really need all that much, but a bowden can require a fair bit more.

For most materials my direct drive E3Ds use less than 1mm - some materials do require a little bit more (nylon), but not by very much.
One the other hand, the kossel with a bowden system and an E3D is more like 4-5mm.

different hot ends will have different settings.

Re: PLA troubles - strange

null@example.com (joepayette) — Wed, 22 Jun 2016 15:46:25 +0000

Thanks for all the tips. I've got more information that I think is part of my problem.

I've had several successful runs, but they are always hollow parts which means to me that I might be having a problem with retraction. The hollow parts have minimal to almost no retraction events.

what sort of number in slic3r should I be using?

Re: PLA troubles - strange

null@example.com (carl_m1968) — Tue, 14 Jun 2016 21:45:18 +0000

Vref sets the current limit that drives the motor.

Re: PLA troubles - strange

null@example.com (joepayette) — Tue, 14 Jun 2016 20:37:09 +0000

I increased the retract from 2 to 3 and upped the Vref. Can you explain what is changing with Vref?

PLA seems to be doing better

Re: PLA troubles - strange

null@example.com (wardjr) — Mon, 13 Jun 2016 19:04:07 +0000

Use a non conductive screw driver.

Re: PLA troubles - strange

null@example.com (wardjr) — Mon, 13 Jun 2016 19:03:46 +0000

1/16th to start with

Re: PLA troubles - strange

null@example.com (joepayette) — Mon, 13 Jun 2016 19:01:45 +0000

Yes, I updated the firmware. correctly I believe

I see the pot ( I think)

1/4 turn, 1/8 turn?

Re: PLA troubles - strange

null@example.com (wardjr) — Mon, 13 Jun 2016 18:22:25 +0000

The stinging could just be that the temp was too cool as you pulled the filament out. It's not uncommon to see that. Every filament is different.

Re: PLA troubles - strange

null@example.com (wardjr) — Mon, 13 Jun 2016 18:20:24 +0000

VREF (reference voltage) is adjusted for each motor on the drivers located on the board. Each has a small POT that can be adjusted. If your motor isn't getting hot (it shouldn't) but is stalling, then it's possible the VREF needs to be turned up (CW) just a tiny bit. Or it could be that the temp is simply too cold for that particular filament. When you installed the V6 did you set the thermistor type to 5 in the firmware flash?

Re: PLA troubles - strange

null@example.com (joepayette) — Mon, 13 Jun 2016 18:14:23 +0000

Where is the VREF. is that in the board programming?

Re: PLA troubles - strange

null@example.com (joepayette) — Mon, 13 Jun 2016 17:37:04 +0000

Wardjr. I've got a fan on the motor and does not get hot to touch. That stringing must not look wrong..huh?

I'm perplexed

Re: PLA troubles - strange

null@example.com (wardjr) — Mon, 13 Jun 2016 15:45:29 +0000

Is the extruder motor getting hot? Might need to increase your VREF slightly.