1 Topic by foul_owl

  • foul_owl
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  • Registered: 2014-07-02
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Topic: Output speed dropped?

Hi folks,

I moved my filastruder to a better ventilated room, mounted it the same way (vertically) but the output has dropped significantly.

I'm wondering if the auger bit is showing any wear. What is the procedure for removing the auger? Should I try and inspect that? Is there any general maintenance besides lubricating the bearings I should try? Can I let it run for a bit with the cap off? Or run it without any pellets? (Just to clean it out)

Or does anyone have any ideas of why output speed suddenly dropped? It dropped significantly, from roughly 1m/5 min (3 mm size) to 5 cm in 5 min.

Voltage is good, I tested that. Temp is the same.

Thanks!

2 Reply by os3dp

  • os3dp
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  • From: Pleasant Grove, UT
  • Registered: 2014-07-26
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Re: Output speed dropped?

foul_owl,
What type of resin are you running?  Also are you using any colorant or just raw resin?

What is the ambient temperature of your new room?  Are there any air currents around the extruder?

-os3dp

os3dp's Website

3 Reply by elmoret

  • elmoret
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Re: Output speed dropped?

I doubt auger wear is a problem, I have around 2000 hours on 1 with no decrease in output.

Do you have a melt filter nozzle? Is it clean?

Are you certain the pellets are feeding well?

As os3dp said, are you using any new colorants or additives?

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4 Reply by foul_owl

  • foul_owl
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Re: Output speed dropped?

Thanks for the help folks!! The issue was that I adjusted my filastruder from a _slight_ angle to a full vertical setup. I can't find a link to the STL right now, but I was using the hopper that is not an exact 90 degree bend, but maybe more like a 70 degree bend, two piece, with threads for a bottle.

I switched over to this one:
http://www.thingiverse.com/thing:439909
and the pellets started feeding again. However, this new design has two issues.
1. Threads do not attach to bottle.
2. There is no flange piece that sort of press fits into the pipe threads to prevent slippage.

Is there an STL or scad file anywhere for a hopper that has working threads, is a full 90 degrees, and has that little flange part on it so it doesn't slide?

Thanks!
I would design it myself but I'm not really

5 Reply by os3dp

  • os3dp
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Re: Output speed dropped?

I use a hose clamp to hold my hopper adapter up on the pipe like this:

http://soliforum.com/i/?dIrSuVm.jpg

-os3dp

os3dp's Website

6 Reply by richh001

  • richh001
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  • Registered: 2015-01-30
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Re: Output speed dropped?

How about Hot Gluing the bottle to the threads?
It works for me.

Hose clamp----great idea ! I will use that for sure.....