Extruder clicking during extrusion
Ok, my first Forum post...
New E3D genuine Prusa hotend (complete), including new thermistor. Full self check OK. Full re calibration OK.
On proven gcode, now I get clicks from the extruder, skipping filament and very patchy first layers.
Cleaned the extruder wheels (there was some filament residue, but not excessive).
Slowed the speeds right down to 30mm/s. Same results.
Thought blocked nozzle, changed it out for a new one, same result.
This is driving me crazy - not inclined to dismantle everything (again), without some clue for what I'm looking for.
Best YouTube symptom-search I found involved a cracked extruder arm on a 'Creality' style extruder, but that's not applicable here.
Could the heater cartridge / thermistor be faulty? With the extruder trying to drive against filament at a low heat setting?
Any thoughts gratefully accepted!
RE: Extruder clicking during extrusion
Sometimes the Bondtech Idler bearing spindle becomes displaced and one end floats free, causing extrusion issues. spindle should be supported at both ends by the bosses in the idler door.
Sometimes over exuberant 'Squish' on the first layer can cause this clicking.
Low nozzle temperature could cause it,
Printing PETG at PLA temperatures can cause clicking,
Having the extruder cooling fan on back to front (Label on the fan hub should not be visible from the outside), or having a non standard fan can cause clicking (there is a hidden, experimental menu, on the LCD Controls, that can change the fan settings) https://help.prusa3d.com/article/experimental-menu-mk3-s-_161213
using a wrong size, or partially blocked nozzle can cause clicking.
Excess retraction can cause clicking. I generally use 0.4mm for PLA and PETG.
No doubt there are other potential issues,
Best of luck,
Joan
I try to make safe suggestions,You should understand the context and ensure you are happy that they are safe before attempting to apply my suggestions, what you do, is YOUR responsibility. Location Halifax UK
RE: Extruder clicking during extrusion
My unit is doing the same thing, If you figure this out please let me know, it seems to affect only a specific area when doing the calibration, the back left area is not extruding as well.
RE:
Well, first up thanks for the generous suggestions!
It's been very frustrating, eliminating a single variable at each stage, but I've fixed it. My mistake was 'upgrading' to Genuine E3D Hardened Steel Nozzles - these consistently block with PETG, or any PLA with an additive (like Aluminium powder). Plain PLA generally seemed to work better, but not as good as previously.
I tried four brand new ones, same outcome each time. After everything else, I eventually changed back to the "old" brass ones, and everything became fine and dandy!
I don't know if I just got two random bad batches of nozzles, or the thermal coefficient of the steel screws up the thermistor calibration, or the Moon is in the wrong phase. After changing virtually everything else, it was the nozzle type causing the extruder to "click" as it pushed against a partially clogged nozzle.
@rmorris - don't know if that helps you, but let me know?
RE: Extruder clicking during extrusion
Hi there I found bad stepper motor skipping steps.
Hope this helps.
Please help me out by downloading a model it's free and easy but really helps me out https://www.printables.com/@Hello_474427/models
RE: Extruder clicking during extrusion
Thanks, first place I started, and certainly a good candidate.
But the stepper passed all the calibration self checks, and handled PLA just fine. The final culprit was the E3D hardened steel nozzle - tried four, all with the same symptoms. I even thought I may have got incorrect nozzle sizing (ie less than 0.4mm would cause a similar effect), but don't have a means of accurately measuring such a small hole other than noting a 0.4mm drill passes through, but a 0.5mm drill doesn't.
Best I can think of is some difference in thermal conductivity between brass and steel is mucking with the extrusion rate?
In any event, printer is up and running perfectly, and I've ordered a stock of brass nozzles!
RE: Extruder clicking during extrusion
steel nozzles require tweaking of filament temperatures. You need to go 5-10 degrees hotter. I use a nozzle x as my regular nozzle all the time and just have my own custom filament presets for it.
RE:
Hey @neophyl ,
Thanks for sharing. I'll give the +10degrees for the steels a go after I've caught up on my backlog!
Why doesn't anyone tell you these things before you waste a hundred hours? Ha! But look what I've learned!
OzFax