Extruder Feed Issue
So my first handful of prints did not suffer from this problem, but it had been creeping into the last ones that I have done. The first layers print fine, but it seems after a while the extruder begins to have difficulties loading the filament correctly and therefore not enough material is pushed down to the hot end. A couple of examples of my problem are in the photo. I've tried the adjustment screws on the extruder, with spring lengths from around 11mm to 13mm without any change in performance. Any other items I should check out? Thanks everyone!
Re: Extruder Feed Issue
You can fine tune the flow during the print process. It allows to increase or decrease the flow.
Re: Extruder Feed Issue
Hmm, not sure it's a flow issue. You'd think the whole print would be suffering at each layer height if it was that. Could be though. 11 mm to 13 mm might be a bit tight though. I have mine set a 13.5 mm and it works perfectly. Maybe try a longer distance. It's possible that the screws are so tight that the filament isn't getting pulled through.
James
Thoughts from a 3D printing newb.
Re: Extruder Feed Issue
Generally if you have the feed tension too tight, you effectively reduce the diameter of the feed pulley as the teeth bite into the filament too far.
In this instance there does appear to be a feed issue.
I would start off by cleaning the nozzle (check out "ultimaker atomic method"), clean the feed pulley and loosen the tension slightly.
Peter
Please note: I do not have any affiliation with Prusa Research. Any advices given are offered in good faith. It is your responsibility to ensure that by following my advice you do not suffer or cause injury, damage…
Re: Extruder Feed Issue
Thanks for the insight James and Peter. I'll try a couple of test prints again this evening when I get home and report back with an update!
Mike
Re: Extruder Feed Issue
I adjusted my screws to 13.5mm, BUT what seemed to be the bigger issue was my the setting for retraction in my slicer program. I'm currently using Cura and when I checked the retraction setting, I found it was set to 4.5mm! I changed it to 1.5mm and tried the print again with success and no odd feed issues or extruder skipping. 