Extruder makes slight clicking sound but prints are good
I just assembled my mini and things seem to be going well. However, while the printer is printing there are slight clicks coming from the extruder. They seem to happen only during retracts. When the printer slows down and prints continuously (such as when printing the perimeter) they don't happen.
The print quality seems fine--I don't see any under extrusion so I don't think it's the stepper skipping steps but I can't be sure as it's only happening on the infill.
Any thoughts?
Thanks, -Mark
RE: Extruder makes slight clicking sound but prints are good
I have been Having the same problem recently. I am sorry I don't have any explanation.
RE: Extruder makes slight clicking sound but prints are good
This is a common issue with the mini, there are several documents within the forums and support documentation about it. Sadly there is any number of reasons that could be causing it from nozzle / heater block installation error, to misalignment of PTFE tubes, to even idler tension on the extruder moter. on my own mini i found that the heater block and nozzle were wrong, AND i had to remove my filament sensor because it was causing a small tention between the extruder moter and the the sensor which causes it to pull at a weird rate causing the filament to slip and making it click.
RE: Extruder makes slight clicking sound but prints are good
Prusa Mini+ , also makes the rattle when retracting fast, not sure if it's normal as it's my first Prusa.
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mmm..
Seems like removing the filament sensor made it less lout.
RE: Extruder makes slight clicking sound but prints are good
As others said try to adjust your tension screw also. I found that it is a combination of things like how much filament you can push out of the nozzle and how hard the filament is. I think filament hardness plays a big role when it comes to those extruder sounds. Different brands of filaments behave differently because the gears won't be able to "grab" the hard filament and push it through the nozzle with the correct force. I recently bought an Esun filament which is really hard and the extruder keeps making clicking sounds while with others it never does. So its a triangle of temperature, tension, and extrusion rate but unfortunately it varies from filament to filament.
Original Prusa Mini + Smooth PEI
Prusa Slicer 2.6.0
RE: Extruder makes slight clicking sound but prints are good
After a long search and the Mini completely demolished, I found what caused the click.
These gears make a ticking sound at retension.
If you provide the gears with grease, the problem is solved 🙂
RE: Extruder makes slight clicking sound but prints are good
@satellietje
Would I have to completely take it apart to grease it? hemdrup's video makes it look like you could lube it from above.
RE: Extruder makes slight clicking sound but prints are good
I would, it is only a few screws then the gear is available.
RE: Extruder makes slight clicking sound but prints are good
@satellietje
What type of grease is safe to use?
RE: Extruder makes slight clicking sound but prints are good
I use the prusa tube, which is also supplied with your printer.