1 Topic by 85miles

  • 85miles
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  • Registered: 2013-08-25
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Topic: Problem printing PLA, will not extrude during print.

Hi there
I'm running the Up Mini 3d printer, trying out PLA for the first time, as I've been using ABS for a while now.

I load up the PLA, input that I'm using PLA, hit extrude, tip heats up and the material begins extruding, no problem.
The problem is when I go to print, it will not feed, nothing comes out.   This is my 3rd attempt at printing with PLA.  The first time I could hear the gears skipping, I took apart extruder barrel and tip and cleaned it, put it all back and tried again, but to no avail.   The PLA will extrude when I hit extrude but it will not extrude when the print starts....  I'm lost on what else to do here? 

Any suggestions?

2 Reply by 3d-oodler

  • 3d-oodler
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  • Registered: 2013-02-06
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Re: Problem printing PLA, will not extrude during print.

What's the difference in temp between manual extrude and running the print job?

What happens if you make them the same?

3 Reply by 85miles

  • 85miles
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Re: Problem printing PLA, will not extrude during print.

Hey I have figured it out, I looked around and found an answer, I just had to open the door & top lid to let out the heat, also had to open fan luvers to full on the extruder to lower the temps, it now extrudes fine.  I may eventually do the MOD which allows UP users to turn down the heat to the extruder tip.

4 Reply by ronsii

  • ronsii
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  • Registered: 2012-10-28
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Re: Problem printing PLA, will not extrude during print.

Hey 85 miles, glad you got it figured out smile  you mean this temperature mod for UP ---> http://pp3dp.com/forum/viewtopic.php?f= … b22dfbf682

5 Reply by IanJohnson

  • IanJohnson
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  • Registered: 2012-08-07
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Re: Problem printing PLA, will not extrude during print.

PLA is more prone to getting too soft between the gear and the hot end, so it bends rather than feeding down.  That may be what was happening, and solved with more cooling to the extruder.  Also with some hot ends, running PLA too slow can give the heat enough time to creep up and soften the filament higher up in the hot end where it still needs to be rigid.  If you ever start getting jamming even though the extruder is being cooled, try printing a little faster.