Please help a noob
I got the Mk3 a couple of weeks ago and had great success printing some neat stuff until I tried to print a part using the ultra detail setting (0.05 mm layer height) using Prusa Control and the Prusa Silver PLA that came with the kit. During the print I started hearing a popping or clicking noise and the print itself failed part way through because no filament was being extruded. I believe the issue was that somehow the nozzle got clogged and the extruder motor was clicking because it couldn't push anything through. I was able to get the PTFE tube, heat break, and nozzle cleaned out. I could manually push filament through just fine, however the clicking sounds continued and prints started failing because of missed layers and gobs of filament being deposited. I think the nozzle was still being clogged until enough pressure built up to force out a large gob of PLA? I am just trying to print the default Benchy.gcode file that came with the SD card and using the default Prusa Silver PLA. The remaining layers were flawless and beautiful; only the missing layers marred an otherwise perfect print. I also tried printing out the vase.gcode file that also came with the SD card and that didn't seem to have any problems so maybe it has something to do with retraction? Likewise I also tried a dry print of the Benchy.gcode without any filament installed and didn't notice any popping from the extruder motor, so the filament definitely seems involved. I've also noticed that PLA seems to be oozing out of the heating block maybe from the heat break threads. Again, I don't know if the nozzle is clogged because I can push filament through.
Basically the printer is currently useless and I just hope it isn't completely ruined (baring replacing the entire hot end) and also that I'm not making matter worse by continuing to mess with it. Can anyone give me insight on how to actually fix this issue? Thank you.
Re: Please help a noob
That really sounds like the extruder tensioner screws on the left side are loose. They should protrude about 1mm. Have you checked them?
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Re: Please help a noob
According to the assembly instructions, the head of the screw should almost be aligned with the printed surface. I verified that they are and possibly a bit recessed. However, the extruder motor is still clicking. Could I be getting an intermittent clog in the nozzle? How could I find out and prevent it?
Re: Please help a noob
Hi,
Regarding the original problem you described:
From my exprience you need to loose the idler screws almost completely... Because when you print at high resolution the extruded material gives a contra and makes it stuck inside. Moreover, make sure the humidity is low (<30%) because it can affect realy bad the quality of the printing and even make the material to stuck inside the extruder more often. If you already had high humidity which entered to the PLA you'll need to dry it in a oven at 55C for about 12h.
Anyway, I don't recommend you to print at higher resolutions more than 0.1mm
Re: Please help a noob
Regarding the problem you have now
You need to clean the extruder as follows:
1. Unload the PLA
2. Heat the extruder to 260C
3. Cut the Unloaded PLA piece
4. Load the PLA
This will work for about 70% of the cases...
I don't recommand you to disassemble anything until you tried these tips.