1 Topic by skywiselh (edited by skywiselh 2014-09-03 07:35:50)

  • skywiselh
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Topic: Clicking sound from extruder stepper?

So I've noticed a new sound, which is never good. My extruder is making a seemingly random clicking sound. Further investigation lead to the determination that the clicking happens when the filament feeder reverses. There seems to be no issue with print quality and filament is feeding (and being pulled back) properly. Loading and unloading filament does work fine and without the sound, even during unloading. Inspection of the feeder wheel bought nothing unusual and the clicking sound cannot be reproduced manually. I even tried a different filament, but no success. Started a medium test print so spot problems, but so far so good.

Any idea why and if I should be concerned? Beyond that, are those steppers standard parts and how much?

Thanks!

2 Reply by Weekend Avenger

  • Weekend Avenger
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Re: Clicking sound from extruder stepper?

Clicking is normally the wheel slipping against the filament. If you want to force the noise (and I realize if your 100% stock this is difficult) you just lower the extruder temp to about 185 and you should hear it constantly.

According to others, the clicking is "normal" for attempts at printing PLA. The plastic gets a bit soft then the gear can't get much traction and it will slip, again causing the click noise.

3 Reply by skywiselh

  • skywiselh
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Re: Clicking sound from extruder stepper?

Thanks, but I am not talking about the filament slipping, it is a different click on it does only occur when the head retracts the filament slightly (and it does so successfully, again, this is not affecting quality at all so far). I made a small mark on the filament and watched - it is moving smoothly and without slipping and is successfully retracted as well. I suspect that this sound is actually coming from the stepper itself as it changes direction.