1 Topic by Photog

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Topic: switched to PLA now extruder clicks

I have been using ABS so far, and today decided to switch to some PLA for a try. After switching, now when printing the PLA my extruder is clicking/grinding/squeaking HOWEVER it is not "skipping" like it was clogged or anything.

Did I switch wrong? I extruded the remaining ABS out of the nozzle using 200c while pushing the PLA through and when it started turning the color of the PLA I lowered the temp down to 160 as suggested.

While printing at 160c the extruder is clicking (NOT SKIPPING, I watched it) and even boosting the temp up to 180c, it still made the clicking/squearking noise. I did notice at 180c the PLA printed a more correct color (it was clear PLA and it looked more clear on the finished product with the layers that were 180c) however the 180c also blobbed more.

My SD3:  Clear plexiglass case, case heater, X axis stabilizer, Z axis stabilizer, thumb screws, filament guide, heatsinks on all motors, extruder fan, controller fan, heatsinks on motherboard, Y rod pillow block, USB and Power on/off switch, fully calibrated including trimpot tuning. Am I missing anything?

2 Reply by Photog

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Re: switched to PLA now extruder clicks

I just removed the PLA filament and tried the extruder motor with no filament loaded and it doesn't make the noise while the motor is running. So it appears to only do it with the PLA filament loaded????

My SD3:  Clear plexiglass case, case heater, X axis stabilizer, Z axis stabilizer, thumb screws, filament guide, heatsinks on all motors, extruder fan, controller fan, heatsinks on motherboard, Y rod pillow block, USB and Power on/off switch, fully calibrated including trimpot tuning. Am I missing anything?

3 Reply by Photog

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Re: switched to PLA now extruder clicks

Actually just tried running the extruder motor again with no filament. I does make a weird grinding noise when the wheel turns in the same spot for about the same 1/4 of the spin in the same spot each turn. Motor going bad? However when printing it does that noise constantly, not just in that spot.

My SD3:  Clear plexiglass case, case heater, X axis stabilizer, Z axis stabilizer, thumb screws, filament guide, heatsinks on all motors, extruder fan, controller fan, heatsinks on motherboard, Y rod pillow block, USB and Power on/off switch, fully calibrated including trimpot tuning. Am I missing anything?

4 Reply by Photog

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Re: switched to PLA now extruder clicks

Could it be trimpot on E? I'm going to check it again tonight. I just adjusted it a week ago and got it to .779v (.770 recommended). Could it really be out of whack again that fast?

My SD3:  Clear plexiglass case, case heater, X axis stabilizer, Z axis stabilizer, thumb screws, filament guide, heatsinks on all motors, extruder fan, controller fan, heatsinks on motherboard, Y rod pillow block, USB and Power on/off switch, fully calibrated including trimpot tuning. Am I missing anything?

5 Reply by Antron007

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Re: switched to PLA now extruder clicks

Photog wrote:

Could it be trimpot on E? I'm going to check it again tonight. I just adjusted it a week ago and got it to .779v (.770 recommended). Could it really be out of whack again that fast?



Actually just tried running the extruder motor again with no filament. I does make a weird grinding noise when the wheel turns in the same spot for about the same 1/4 of the spin in the same spot each turn. Motor going bad? However when printing it does that noise constantly, not just in that spot.

It depends, if you print a lot, what you're printing and depending on what you have your printer on. If your printer is vibrating a lot (like high detail parts) then it could rattle them out of whack. I wonder if this is what's wrong with my printer right now. Never even considered tuning my stepper drivers.


You could be lucky and it only be the bearing on the tension arm that is making the noise. Or are you sure it's coming from the extruder motor?

6 Reply by Photog

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Re: switched to PLA now extruder clicks

Definitely the motor, I made it run without the tension arm on.

My SD3:  Clear plexiglass case, case heater, X axis stabilizer, Z axis stabilizer, thumb screws, filament guide, heatsinks on all motors, extruder fan, controller fan, heatsinks on motherboard, Y rod pillow block, USB and Power on/off switch, fully calibrated including trimpot tuning. Am I missing anything?

7 Reply by wardjr

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Re: switched to PLA now extruder clicks

Photog wrote:

Definitely the motor, I made it run without the tension arm on.

Did you adjust the VREF?  You might try swapping stepper drivers with another axis just to rule that out.  I have had drivers fail and I have had motors fail.  Most times the symptoms are remarkably similar.

Printit Industries Model 8.10 fully enclosed CoreXY, Chamber heat
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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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8 Reply by Photog

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Re: switched to PLA now extruder clicks

wardjr wrote:
Photog wrote:

Definitely the motor, I made it run without the tension arm on.

Did you adjust the VREF?  You might try swapping stepper drivers with another axis just to rule that out.  I have had drivers fail and I have had motors fail.  Most times the symptoms are remarkably similar.

Not yet.
I just adjusted it to near perfect a week ago so hope that's not it. It's also a new board.

Just weird this started happening on my first print with PLA, and never did it before.

My SD3:  Clear plexiglass case, case heater, X axis stabilizer, Z axis stabilizer, thumb screws, filament guide, heatsinks on all motors, extruder fan, controller fan, heatsinks on motherboard, Y rod pillow block, USB and Power on/off switch, fully calibrated including trimpot tuning. Am I missing anything?

9 Reply by wardjr

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Re: switched to PLA now extruder clicks

If you turn the shaft of the motor by hand do you notice any play or binding?

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

wardjr's Website