1 Topic by zankrep

  • zankrep
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  • Registered: 2012-12-16
  • Posts: 12

Topic: Is my printer broken?

Hey,
I received my printer in January 2013 (solidoodle 2) and I have had various prints with various success rates. I have printed all sorts and recently thought I had figured it all out and it has been fine. Until now.

I place the plastic to be thread through and it threads fine up to a point then it is acting as if there is a clog.
So I decided to investigate as it the wheel was turning and just grinding away at the plastic and intermittently stalling/stuttering. Again signs that there is a clog.

I thought that I would start small and make sure that it isn't the tension screw/spring causing issues as when I first got my printer this had been the main culprit for the flow of the plastic. As seen below I unscrewed the tension spring all the way off and found that there is a bit of the chassis snapped off. Or what I assume has snapped. (see second picture).

On closer inspection I found that some of the plastic was in the hole in to the hot end. I fished out the stuff I can find, tried again hoping that this was all that was causing the issue but no. I have tried manually feeding through, but it will intermittently again thread it through. I have a dreadful feeling that it will be a clog of the broken plastic further inside.

Can somebody confirm this theory for me firstly? (before I start following the dismantle/unclog procedure) And also as this bit has snapped does then therefore mean my printer is broken? and I need a replacement chassis?

Please let me know if further information is needed. I have tried to describe it as best as possible. If more pictures etc are needed I shall happily provide them.

Helen

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2 Reply by pcpoirier

  • pcpoirier
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  • From: Wichita Ks
  • Registered: 2012-10-25
  • Posts: 231

Re: Is my printer broken?

Pick all the loose pieces out and run it one last time to print this:  http://www.thingiverse.com/thing:47561
Remove the clear one and put this one on.

3 Reply by zankrep

  • zankrep
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  • Registered: 2012-12-16
  • Posts: 12

Re: Is my printer broken?

If I can get it to print I shall print that off. Will start the unclogging first as I do think this is my main issue due to the acrylic chassis snapping.
Thank you

Helen

4 Reply by mbarr

  • mbarr
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  • Registered: 2014-11-22
  • Posts: 5

Re: Is my printer broken?

I followed the instructions at wiki.solidoodle.com/hot-end-replacement to remove the hot end from my Solidoodle 2. I could see the ABS sticking out of the PEEK but it refused to come out even when gently pulled on with long nose pliers. I plugged it back in and cranked the temperature up to 210 C. The ABS expanded out of the PEEK! With long nose pliers I was then able to pull it out of the PEEK. I reassembled the extruder, inserted more ABS and tested. It now works!