1 Topic by loncaric

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Topic: Head won't heat - How to unload filament?

I got a Davinci Christmas eve and I've been having fun with it.  Then tragedy struck.  Well, stupidity struck.

I was cleaning some stuck plastic from the head and broke a very fine wire going into the side of the head.  I'm color blind and I thought it was filament.  Yes, I'm an idiot.

I emailed Davinci and they're being really helpful (I don't think I've waited more than 45 minutes for a response about anything) and it sounds like they're going to replace it under warranty even though I was honest with them about why it's not heating.

Here's the problem:  I can't get the head assembly out.  I suspect it's because there's still some filament in it.  Since the head won't heat I can't run the "unload cartridge" utility, so I can't run the gears in reverse to release what's there.

Any idea how to get the last little bit out?  I'm afraid to force anything and damage anything else.

2 Reply by carl_m1968

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Re: Head won't heat - How to unload filament?

What you broke was the thermistor wire. So the machine now thinks the head is at full temp and will not heat. Without using force your only option is to get it to heat. To do that you would need to replace the thermistor. They can be ordered from ebay. Your only other option is risky and that requires a blow torch. Unless you have access to a high wattage soldering gun.

Printing since 2009 and still love it!
Anycubic 4MAX best $225 ever invested.
Voxelabs Proxima SLA. 6 inch 2k Mono LCD.
Anycubic Predator, massive Delta machine. 450 x 370 print envelope.

3 Reply by loncaric

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Re: Head won't heat - How to unload filament?

Lovely.  I do have a soldering iron, but it's probably not hot enough.  I can't be trusted with the wire brush to clean the head, so I don't think I should be around a blow torch.

Can I damage anything by pulling the remaining filament out with pliers with some force?

Is the filament in the feed tube the likely reason the head isn't coming out?  Once I pull up on the latch the assembly comes loose, but it just won't pull out.

Thanks for the quick answer, by the way!

4 Reply by loncaric

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Re: Head won't heat - How to unload filament?

Alright, I gave the filament a little harder tug and it came out.  The head is coming out now.  Almost at least.  I'm working on it smile

5 Reply by loncaric

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Re: Head won't heat - How to unload filament?

I got the head out.  New question:  should both gears that pull the filament in have resistance?  The larger silver one with the black/white pattern on back is kind of "freewheeling."  Did I break it getting the filament out?

The brass one that seems to be hooked up to a motor is fine.

6 Reply by carl_m1968

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Re: Head won't heat - How to unload filament?

loncaric wrote:

I got the head out.  New question:  should both gears that pull the filament in have resistance?  The larger silver one with the black/white pattern on back is kind of "freewheeling."  Did I break it getting the filament out?

The brass one that seems to be hooked up to a motor is fine.

The black and white one should freewheel, it is what is known as an idler. The other should be harder to turn.

Printing since 2009 and still love it!
Anycubic 4MAX best $225 ever invested.
Voxelabs Proxima SLA. 6 inch 2k Mono LCD.
Anycubic Predator, massive Delta machine. 450 x 370 print envelope.

7 Reply by loncaric

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Re: Head won't heat - How to unload filament?

Awesome, thank you!

If I could hug you right now, I would.  I was afraid I had broken something else.

The head is out and now I'm just waiting for a new one.

Thanks again for your help!