Nozzle clogging issue
Hey y'all,
Do you know why my nozzle is being clogged? I had my Prusa MK3S+ in an outside shed and my theory is that the dust particles got into the nozzle which led to failed prints + a clogged nozzle.
I have since moved the printer indoors in a well ventilated area + replaced the nozzle and things are MUCH better. Having said that though, I do experience the extruder skipping steps for 2-20 mins at a time on larger prints which leaves holes in them or just literally fails the whole print.
I raised the printing temperature to 240 degrees and the nozzle got unclogged for a bit and I had to print at that temperature but when I reduced the temp back to the original settings (215 nozzle 60 bed), the extruder would start skipping again :/
I made a makeshift filament cleaner inspired from this video and that has helped me start printing at 215 degrees again but I am having the clogged nozzle extruder skipping issue even with this new arrangement even if it is not frequent.
I opened a brand new filament spool thinking the other one has been out for too long to deal with this issue but I am still having the same issue.
What I am aiming for is a reliable printing experience which is lacking right now and really annoying to be honest.
Would love to hear your thoughts.
Details:
Printer: Prusa MK3S+
Filament: (old) 3kg random spool of white filament bought at bulk, (new) Sunlu SPLA
Nozzle: 0.4mm
Layer Height: 0.3mm
Temperatures: 215 Nozzle 60 Bed
Room Temperature: 75 F / 23.8 C
Other Conditions: There is a ceiling fan blowing down near the printer, I have an exhaust fan near the area to take all the fumes/smells out for ventilation. The Prusa is the same as it was sent by their factory apart from the makeshift filament cleaner above the extruder.
could be ...
Could be a combination of factors. If you haven't protected your filament from absorbing moisture - that can be a major problem. Fix that first.
Then check your extruder tension screw is set up right. Most likely though is moist/ruined filament.