Polycarbonate Failure, white powder on build plate
I was recently attempting an overnight print polycarbonate print on a Prusa MK3 S+, but I came back to a failed print and this mysterious white powder on the build plate where the print had been. I've had no problems with bed adhesion and cleaned the plate with IPA before the build, so I'm wondering what happened here. Also I'm guessing I'll need some replacement parts after the glob of doom formed?
EDIT: Filament was Prusament PC Blend
RE: Polycarbonate Failure, white powder on build plate
Nice blob of doom for what to buy probably new fan shroud new pinda new hotend and another thermistor Incase little one happens and just thermistor needs replacing saves shipping cost.
And for white powder look at pinda holder there's white stuff on it wondering if something on the printer like fan shroud has melted a little and it's caused white powder
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: Polycarbonate Failure, white powder on build plate
I've had a few smaller Blobs Of Doom, nothing like this, and mostly PLA, but never any PC type.
They usually look much worse than they are.
The ones I've had were solved by heating up the hot end, letting it sit ... and sit ... and sit ... and get good and soft. They usually just dropped off, or were able to be gently pulled off with no damage.
I have no clue what the white residue is.
I never had a fan shroud damaged by a Blob Of Doom, but after a long run of ABS prints, the original started to droop. I printed a remixed one in PC Blend and it has not drooped since.
You have a first class blob of doom. Search for blob of doom to see how others have dealt with them.
Before doing anything, look at pictures of a clean extruder and note the position of the rather delicate wires that are currently hidden, if you damage them you will have to buy replacement parts as broken wires can't be rejoined.
You have probably damaged your fan shroud and will need a replacement.
To remove it:
Raise the nozzle temperature to the printing temperature for the filament in question and allow it to heat for several minutes.
If you are lucky you will be able to prise the blob open - more likely you will need to add heat from outside with a heat gun to aid the softening, sometimes it's worth using a soldering iron to carve chunks off the mass.
Use needle nosed pliers to prise this away; remove it in parts if it won't release the wires.
Once you have the worst removed you decide whether you need to disassemble the extruder to get at all the blob or perhaps you can clean up in situ.
After the cleanup there will be overcooked filament inside the nozzle so at least a purge and probably a cold-pull will be necessary.
Cheerio,
Mysterious white powder
That's from the blob sanding itself on the Satin sheet. 😉