Random Pauses in Extrusion - Never Seen This Before
Hi all,
MK2 using S3D and Hatchbox PETG.
Looking at the picture in the green circles. I am starting to see these "pauses" in extrusion. In the picture what you see is a single layer and the extrusion stops for a while then starts back up. It does it while going across this flat area but also on the perimeters etc.
When the extrusion stops I can watch the extruder gear oscillate back and forth like it is doing a bunch of rapid retractions. It doesn't seem to make the tell-tale sound (clicks) of missing steps like if it were clogged that I can tell.
This just started a day ago and has done it on two different colors of PETG.
Thank you for any ideas!
Re: Random Pauses in Extrusion - Never Seen This Before
When the extrusion stops I can watch the extruder gear oscillate back and forth like it is doing a bunch of rapid retractions. It doesn't seem to make the tell-tale sound (clicks) of missing steps like if it were clogged that I can tell.
If this isn't a mechanical issue, perhaps one of the wires to the extruder motor (or it's connector) is getting intermittent.
-Kevin
Re: Random Pauses in Extrusion - Never Seen This Before
Kevin, you are the winner!
Just last night I was able to determine that the extruder wires, where they come out from behind the extruder cooling fan, seem to have a break.
I can move the wires while loading filament and reproduce the issue.
Now I need to replace the whole harness to salvage the extruder stepper! Fortunately I had a spare stepper to use and it has been running 15 hours with no issues so far.
Re: Random Pauses in Extrusion - Never Seen This Before
Glad to hear you're on the path to resolving your issue.
Happy Printing 😉
-Kevin