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Extruder clicking and failing with eSun PLA+  

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Joran
(@joran)
New Member
Extruder clicking and failing with eSun PLA+

Hi there!

I've been having issues with my Prusa Mini trying to print a basic roll of eSun PLA+. The issue arises after the first layer. The printer will start printing faster and the extruder starts clicking, grinding the filament and causing it to get stuck. The extruder creates a dent in the PLA and I can't load/unload it. Purging doesn't work either, as the gears have no grip anymore.

I've been trying different things:

  • Cleaning the nozzle, making sure there's nothing that clogs. Cold pulls did not help. Would be strange, since other PLAs work fine.
  • Set the temperature to 230°C. The recommended temp is 225°C
  • Checking the tension on the extruder, as well for debris or dirt on the gears
  • Tweaking the "Flow rate" to see if this helps
  • Tuned the Z-offset, making sure I wasn't too close to the bed

Right now I'm trying a print at a very slow speed to see if this helps. Since the first layer works all the time, it could be the speed that fails the print. It almost looks like the hot-end can't keep up, causing the extruder failing to push more filament.

Things I haven't tried:

  • Re-seating the tube in the hot-end
  • Everything you guys hopefully can think of?...

It's also good to mention that normal PLA prints just fine without any issues at all. The prints turn out great, even after trying the fixes above. It's just when I switch back to this PLA+ that keeps breaking in the extruder.

Posted : 03/09/2021 8:26 pm
Joran
(@joran)
New Member
Topic starter answered:
Yeah, it was the PTFE tube..

It was a completely deformed PTFE tube.... I completely f***ed it up by doing a wrong cold pull. I replaced it with the spare one and now it prints like a dream again.

Posted : 04/09/2021 5:30 am
Anachronist
(@anachronist)
Estimable Member
RE: Extruder clicking and failing with eSun PLA+
Posted by: @joran

It was a completely deformed PTFE tube.... I completely f***ed it up by doing a wrong cold pull. I replaced it with the spare one and now it prints like a dream again.

I know this is an old thread. I just got some PLA+ (actually FilaCube PLA2) and I am experiencing jamming and clicking, but only after the first layer. The first layer goes down just fine. PTFE tube is fine. Cold pull comes out clean. Every other filament I have prints well.

Settings recommended on the Amazon page linked above:

  • Temperature: 210°-215°
  • Bed temperature: 60° first layer, 50° after that.
  • Retraction speed: 25mm/s
  • Wipe: enabled

Any ideas? All I can think of is to follow the advice on the Amazon page I linked and make a temperature calibration tower.  I am really confused about why the first layer goes down without a problem and then it jams on the second layer.

Posted : 28/02/2022 2:42 am
Anachronist
(@anachronist)
Estimable Member
RE: Extruder clicking and failing with eSun PLA+

Update: The temperature was the problem. I printed this small temperature tower starting at 230° and sure enough, when it reached PolyCube's recommended temperature of 210°, the extruder jammed and clicked, at which point I aborted the print.

It seems, for the MK3S at least, that this stuff needs a higher temperature. I figure I'll split the difference between the maximum 230° and the jamming 210° temperature, and print at 220°, with the first layer at 225°.

Posted : 28/02/2022 2:46 pm
Deck
 Deck
(@deck)
Member
RE: Extruder clicking and failing with eSun PLA+

I have experienced the same problem with the Sun PLA+. I print using Prusa PTEG no problem. I bought a new roll of  Esun filament as I needed to make a number  of cheap items. I used the Prucer slicer default settings for Esun which is 215C first layer and 210C there after. The box says Print Temp 205 - 225. I have come to the conclusion that this is simply wrong as at 210 it will not extrude at all and the filament gets stuck with lots of clicking. Even the first layer is very poor. Every time I buy other than Prusa filament it ends in a poor outcome. I suspect a much hung temperature is required to run this Esun filament.

Posted : 30/08/2023 4:46 am
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