extruder gear on motor stops turning MK3
The extruder gear on the motor will stop turning randomly while I'm printing. I will be about an hour into the print and the gear will stop turning (motor still makes noise that it's still working though). I tried to unload the filament and even then the gear would not turn during the unload process. If I remove the idler screws and manually unload the filament, then replace the idler screws and reload the filament, I am good for about another hour until it stops turning again and I repeat the process. I have made sure there are no filament jams. No debris or buildup on the gears themselves. I replaced the PTFE tube and I changed the nozzle, but still have the same results. I have done all kinds of manipulations of the idlers screws tension to no avail.
I have used this printer alot for the last 2 years. It prints about 10 hours a day every day. Wondering if the teeth on the gears are getting worn or if there is some mechanical issue with the extruder motor?
RE: extruder gear on motor stops turning MK3
Hi Neil,
It's a possibility that one of the four wires to the extruder stepper motor has broken, this causes the stepper to 'Quiver' instead of turning
and this sort of problem tends to be intermittent, damaged wires tend to loose contact at certain ammounts of cable flex, and speeds...
If this is the case, I would repair the wires with 22AWG Silicone insulated flexible wires, between the Einsy case and the back of the X carriage, making sure that all of the soldered joints are located in non flexing areas, inside the Einsy case and on the back of the X axis. (insulate the joints, I use heatshrink tubing most times, but in an emergency... tape can work! 😉
regards 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