1 Topic by ChristopherN

  • ChristopherN
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  • Registered: 2013-04-18
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Topic: Extruder stopped working

Hi,

I own the Solidoodle 2 and printed around 2.5kg of ABS without problems.

Today my extruder stopped working correctly. The wheel driven by the stepper motor turns without problems, the ball bearing next to it does stop ever now and then and the extrusion stops accordingly. The extruder wheel craves out the filament if that happens.

If I push the filament thru the extruder by hand it works as always. Is the nozzle clogged or is there some other reason this could happen?

I can add a video if it helps.

Thanks for any advice,

Christopher

2 Reply by Gordym

  • Gordym
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  • From: Adrian, MI
  • Registered: 2012-08-10
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Re: Extruder stopped working

It sounds like a clog in your hot end. I experienced the same thing a week ago. I was able to clear mine by using a guitar string up the nozzle while the hot end was hot. I also cleaned all of the teeth on the filament drive gear with a needle. Sometimes a toothbrush doesn't remove all of the filament. Also brush out the filament dust in the jigsaw. If that doesn't clear the clog, you may have to pull off the hot end and clean with acetone.

SD2
E3D V6
MK5 V6

3 Reply by pcpoirier

  • pcpoirier
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Re: Extruder stopped working

I had the same problem. Tighten the tensioner 1st.  If that don't work raise the extruder temp to a max of 210. Next change  the filament.

4 Reply by pcpoirier

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Re: Extruder stopped working

If it was a clog I don't think you could push it thru by hand.

5 Reply by ChristopherN

  • ChristopherN
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Re: Extruder stopped working

Hi,

thanks for your help. I tried different settings on the tensioner, that did not help.

Afterwards I tried to clean the hotend with some thin copper wire and pulled some old ABS out, but that did not help either.

I will pull off the hotend and clean it with Aceton and a brush.

Christopher

6 Reply by ChristopherN

  • ChristopherN
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Re: Extruder stopped working

The nozzle is cleaned, but this did not solve the problem.

I guess I broke something else, I can't push the filament thru anymore.

7 Reply by pcpoirier

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Re: Extruder stopped working

Have you tried different a filament spool , mine seem to go bad about half way through?

8 Reply by ChristopherN

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Re: Extruder stopped working

Yes, I changed the filament twice (different colors and vendors).

9 Reply by pcpoirier

  • pcpoirier
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Re: Extruder stopped working

Don't forget to heat the tip to remove it.