Extruder clicking and the variable PTFE tubing...
I ran across all kinds of issues with my Prusa mk3 when it came in, and wound up replacing a LOT of components. I don't know if I got a bad batch, or if they're just trying really hard to rush things out the door and meet time-tables, but every time I mailed support, I got a "this isn't under warranty" response, so I just wound up having to replace things on my own and hope for the best.
As such, I've learned a lot about PTFE tubing and how much it seems to play into the issues I was having with a clicking extruder.
I replaced the extruder motor with a much more powerful one, because my motor was getting just simply too hot. That helped keep things cool, but I still had massive clicking on the extruder, and would need to oil my filament every so often to keep things from jamming or just simply skipping the occasional layer. Drove me nuts.
I'd even replaced the PTFE tubing in the hot end because of issues early on, and it hadn't helped at ALL... so I started experimenting.
I ordered PTFE tubing from about 10 different suppliers, and did some experiments with running through some of the more problematic filaments and measuring friction. If there was the SLIGHTEST bend going into the PTFE at the top of the hot end (as you would basically get from most filament, since it's been sitting, rolled up on a spool), I would sometimes have a MASSIVE difficulty in moving the filament through some of the tubing, but not other.
I'm not sure if there's a different method of processing that creates more friction internally in some tubing, but not in other tubing, but I finally settled on a few different versions that worked well for me. I also then found a good use for some of the super problematic Proto-Pasta filament I'd been using... and I ran it through the tubing cold back and forth to, well... kind of sand the inside of the PTFE. It further decreased friction to the point that I've had ZERO clicks using this new batch, and I've migrated it to other printers as well to ensure things keep going smoothly.
tl;dr If you are having serious, mysterious problems with extruder clicking, as I was, and are having to oil your filament (some people HAVE to... some people don't, and that discrepancy has always bugged me) buy some inexpensive 4mm OD, 2mm ID PTFE and run some of your more problematic filament through it and feel whether or not it moves smoothly or roughly.
I wound up with this stuff: https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B073RDFTDV And it's been the best I've tried of the lot (the stuff from Prusa, the stuff from E3D, a variety of things from random Chinese warehouses, etc.
It's made a world of difference.
Re: Extruder clicking and the variable PTFE tubing...
My first question would be, does this extruder struggling happen on PLA which is stiff? If so, I'm (only intuitively) that there must be some defect within the extruder adding drag. I've had PLA snap a filament guide when I had a wee little tangle. No piece of Teflon would have prevented that. I mean to say, the torque of the motor is strong. 🙂
Re: Extruder clicking and the variable PTFE tubing...
It happens with PLA and PETG. And the motor is strong enough by far. But my guess is the inside of the PTFE either is not smooth (i.e. has some kind of divot in which a piece can get trapped), or there's some other variable. But PLA breaks when you look at it funny. It's hardly super strong. And all it takes is a little extra friction to create a jam situation -- especially as it's moving down a warm heat-sink where it will deform further.
Re: Extruder clicking and the variable PTFE tubing...
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B073RDFTDV
Well my extruder is now in pieces due to having run out of patience with trying to get PET to print without leaving holes and so the Teflon tube that jams into the extruder is crushed and needs to be replaced.
The link you've provided appears to be region locked amazon wont display it to me(EDIT: if I copy the url from here and paste it into browser it lets me see actually), but perhaps is this the same product?
https://www.amazon.ca/PTFE-Tubing-Printer-1-75mm-Filament/dp/B012T9HHDC
Thanks in advance!
Re: Extruder clicking and the variable PTFE tubing...
Try this stuff. Installed it when I installed the R3 parts and it's been working perfectly since.
Re: Extruder clicking and the variable PTFE tubing...
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B073RDFTDV
Well my extruder is now in pieces due to having run out of patience with trying to get PET to print without leaving holes and so the Teflon tube that jams into the extruder is crushed and needs to be replaced.
The link you've provided appears to be region locked amazon wont display it to me(EDIT: if I copy the url from here and paste it into browser it lets me see actually), but perhaps is this the same product?
https://www.amazon.ca/PTFE-Tubing-Printer-1-75mm-Filament/dp/B012T9HHDC
Thanks in advance!
That's the same stuff basically. Different company, but the right tubing.
Re: Extruder clicking and the variable PTFE tubing...
in general the Capricorn PTFE tubbing (the blue stuff )is considered a quality product but as long as you avoid the lowball priced bang good stiff the vast majority of the 2/4 stuff is fine
Re: Extruder clicking and the variable PTFE tubing...
Having received some replacement tubing now from my own order, and Prusa, I must say, I'd rather just use the Prusa stuff, they cut the bevels nice, but so far my attempts are poor.
Re: Extruder clicking and the variable PTFE tubing...
Pathogen this set of jigs will make the cutting and shaping of PETG tube replacements much easier
This one is by area51
https://www.thingiverse.com/thing:3121653
Re: Extruder clicking and the variable PTFE tubing...
Pathogen this set of jigs will make the cutting and shaping of PETG tube replacements much easier
This one is by area51
https://www.thingiverse.com/thing:3121653
Thanks, that looks like it was better thought out than some of the others I've seen. Hopefully I will get MK3 running again soon and try this!
Re: Extruder clicking and the variable PTFE tubing...
The drill bit for that jig can be picked up at Harbor Freight for $7, Item # 60381, Center Drill Countersink Set, if you are in the US. I used the smallest one and it is working nicely.
Strange women, laying in ponds, distributing swords, is hardly a basis for a system of governance!
Re: Extruder clicking and the variable PTFE tubing...
I did have to modify the sharpener jig a bit to get the razor knife to bite properly to put the 45% cone on the bottom tube to mate with the top of the heatbreak properly I expect that if I had just reprinted it with a slight 3% enlargement it would have worked. very handy set of jigs to have in this printers toolkit... having said that I won't need to replace this tube for a long time now 😆
Re: Extruder clicking and the variable PTFE tubing...
I found I can completely remove my extruder clicking problem by changing the tightness of the spring screws for the gears. I start with them a little loose and slowly tighten them as it prints until the clicking goes away.