Notifications
Clear all

Extruder gear access door screw is tightening  

  RSS
ga
 ga
(@ga)
Estimable Member
Extruder gear access door screw is tightening

The spring-loaded screw which holds the extruder gear access door shut on my i3 MK3S is self-tightening over the course of a 2-3 hour print.  This can cause it to be too tight and grind the filament.  Is anyone else seeing this problem?

Posted : 21/10/2021 5:47 pm
Neophyl
(@neophyl)
Illustrious Member

Simple answer is no.  How have you determined that its self tightening ? Filament grinding after a few hours is a normal sign of heat creep leading to the grinding but I have never seen anyone post that the screw has gotten tighter on its own.

I cant see how that is even physically possible given the design.

Posted : 21/10/2021 6:03 pm
ga
 ga
(@ga)
Estimable Member
Topic starter answered:
The head is more recessed

I am surprised it is tightening as well.  I can tell it is tightening because the head of the screw, which is normally about flush with the outside of the housing, is more recessed.  I can also see that the end of the screw is protruding more out the back side of the nut.

As a result, I've had to check it before starting a print and sometimes back it out.  On a longer print, which I haven't done since noticing this, I may have to back it out mid-print.

Posted : 21/10/2021 6:26 pm
Ringarn67
(@ringarn67)
Reputable Member

Haven´t had the problem myself.
A possible fix, if the screw protrude from the nut, is changing the nut to nyloc nut
BUT, 🤔 my screw does not protrude from the nut at all, more like screwed in less than 2 turns in the nut

Prusa i3 MK3S+ FW 3.11.0 (kit dec -20), PrusaSlicer 2.5.0+win64, Fusion 360, Windows 10

Posted : 21/10/2021 7:00 pm
ga
 ga
(@ga)
Estimable Member
Topic starter answered:
My bolt is a duplicate from the spares

Hmmm.  My original bolt bound up in the nut; when I tried to unscrew it it rounded out the hex hole for the nut in the door.  I had to saw off the bolt to replace it.  So the current nut is free to rotate, but I would think any rotation would be *un*screwing, given the spring tension on the bolt.  I have printed a new door but haven't installed it.  I'm pretty sure the replacement bolt is the same length as the original.

Is your bolt head flush with the housing, more-or-less?  If not, how did you adjust the pressure to an appropriate amount?

Posted : 21/10/2021 7:27 pm
Ringarn67
(@ringarn67)
Reputable Member

@ga

The bolt head is 2-3mm outside.

I autoload filament with screw as loose it could get without falling out, then tighten it until the filament start to extrude without clicking. Never touched it after that. 

Prusa i3 MK3S+ FW 3.11.0 (kit dec -20), PrusaSlicer 2.5.0+win64, Fusion 360, Windows 10

Posted : 21/10/2021 7:47 pm
Neophyl
(@neophyl)
Illustrious Member

If the nut is free to rotate that would explain the movement, your printer is not as it’s originally designed. If you already have a replacement door printed then I would fit it. It does not logically follow that the spring will cause it to loosen, it all depends in the order of pressure.

Posted : 21/10/2021 7:47 pm
ga
 ga
(@ga)
Estimable Member
Topic starter answered:
Need to pick up a 3mm drill bit

Thanks.  I haven't put it on yet because I need to pick up a 3mm drill; the bolt and gear shaft holes are a bit under-sized due to filament squish, I presume.

Posted : 22/10/2021 2:56 am
Dan Rogers
(@dan-rogers)
Noble Member
Screw should stick out past the nut ...

Whomever's picture above with the screw barely seated in the nut - I'd advise a few more turns for PLA/PETG/ABS/ASA.   For TPU, your picture looks right.

 

Posted : 22/10/2021 9:05 am
Share: