Under extrusion issue which I cannot seem to solve.
I recieved my mk3s+ kit in December. I built the printer following the instructions and have been printing with no issues for the past 6 months.
For the last 2 weeks I have been struggling with under extrusion. It first occurred 12 hours into a 16 hour print where the layers were extremely brittle and looked terrible. This occurred consistently across the whole print. This lead me to think that there was a partial blockage of the nozzle.
I tried cleaning the nozzle whilst hot with the provided needle which did not fix the issue. I then performed several cold pulls which still did not fixe the issue. I then dismantled the extruder to thoroughly examine the hotend and could see no visible issue with it (ptfe tube was properly seated with no blockages, heatsink was clear of dust/dirt) . I cleaned the idler pulleys (and check nothing had worked loose that could allow them to slip) reassembled the extruder and replaced the nozzle with a new brass nozzle direct from E3d. I did a full recalibration and checked the speed of the nozzle fan (which is showing 4100RPM). But I am still experiencing under extrusion when trying to print.
I have also replace the heater block and heat break and reapplied new thermal paste, yet the issue still persists.
I have tweaked the flow rate and the extrusion multiplier to try and over come the issue and it may solve the under extrusion initially but the under extrusion starts to return as the print progresses.
I pretty much print exclusively with PLA (on a rare occasion I will use some PETG), I have been using 3DFilaprint satin PLA predominantly in the past 6 months and never had any issues with it for the settings I use in Prusa slicer. Based on this I am leaning towards this being a mechanical issue rather than a software issue.
The under extrusion was initially intermittent, but now it occurs with every print and can be seen from the 2nd layer onwards.
I am getting extremely frustrated with this now, I haven't got a clue what could be causing this under extrusion.
Any help would be greatly appreciated.
RE: Under extrusion issue which I cannot seem to solve.
How is your filament feed path - does the spool spin easily and the filament not bound up somewhere in the feed path? Have you checked the tension of the feeder gears on the extruder? Are the gears that grip the filament clean and properly aligned? Or are they clogged up with old filament (clean them). Under extruding can be a feed problem - so just calling that possibility since you have done so many other steps.
Is it possible you are not at the right temp for the filament you are printing? check the box for recommended temperature.
Heat creep can also cause a symptom like this - you aren't printing in an enclosure are you?
RE: Under extrusion issue which I cannot seem to solve.
@dan-rogers
No I'm not printing in an enclosure, I only really use PLA so there is no point.
Im printing at 215 the recommended temp range is 210 - 225. I have already used 6kg of this filament at 215 degrees with no issues, but seeing as it this started when using a new spool I figured it could be a problem with the spool. So i did try taking it up as high as 230 degrees with no success.
I used the provided spool holder, and they do spin freely on it. When I can see the print under extruding I can see that the filament has a clear path with no resistance down to the extruder. So I don't think it is an external issue.
With the several dismantles of the extruder I have cleaned the idler gears with an old tooth brush (as yes some filament has been chewed up by the gears). The idler tension I have played with, pause the print - tighten it - start the print - repeat and I have gone from definitely too loose to definitely too tight, and this didn't affect the issue. If it is a feed issue, given everything that I have tried I would be inclined to say it is a motor issue but I would expect that to last longer than 6months.
RE: Under extrusion issue which I cannot seem to solve.
@puzzler91
Have you tried drying the filament?
PLA 50 to 55C for 3 or 4 hours should do it, don't exceed 55C
Good Luck
Swiss_Cheese
The Filament Whisperer
RE: Under extrusion issue which I cannot seem to solve.
Hello, i am experimenting under extrusion problems too. Have you been able to solve the problem?
RE: Under extrusion issue which I cannot seem to solve.
Still new to 3D printing but I am playing with different rolls of filament and finding that I do need to calibrate the extrusion on different rolls doing the 40x40 vase wall test. Also, check the extruder gear is clean.
RE: Under extrusion issue which I cannot seem to solve.
I have a similar issue, i asked for help in my own thread without as much as an answer. I will paste the info here aswell since we seem to have similar problems.
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Hardware, firmware and software help Weird extrusion problem. Last Post RSS Mamoto(@mamoto) Member Weird extrusion problem. So, i have a MK3S+ with a Revo6 nozzle upgrade. Its been working flawlessly until a month ago.
From one print to the other the problem occurred (with the same STL). It behaves just like its severely under extruding.
The steps Ive made to fix it is as follows : Changed to a brand new nozzle, changed the heater core, changed the PTFE tube, tried a different extruder stepper and wires, updated to the latest firmware, dissasembled the hotend and cleaned it thoroughly.
Nothing is working.
The gears in the stepper are move just as the should.
Im at a loss, Ive talked to Prusa support without avail, aswell as several 3D printer forums.
The only thing that has made any results is when i either change the flow to 240 or the extrusion multiplier to 2.5. Its still not good but it can already deliver a print that does not fall apart.
So im hoping someone has some idea as to what could be the reason.
RE: Under extrusion issue which I cannot seem to solve.
i asked for help in my own thread without as much as an answer.
You didn't actually ask a question ...
OK, run through a standard maintenance procedure: https://help.prusa3d.com/en/article/i3-printers-regular-maintenance_2072
Dry your filament.
Clean the print sheet with dishwashing detergent (Dawn/Fairy) and plenty of HOT water, then run the built in first layer 'Z' calibration and show us the result *on the print sheet*
Cheerio,
RE: Under extrusion issue which I cannot seem to solve.
Well i took for granted that it would be obvious that i am in need of support when writing "So im hoping someone has some idea as to what could be the reason." But anyway, thanks for the link to that guide, i went through all the steps in the guide without any improvements regarding my issue.
Perhaps its a fault in the motherboard.
and show us the result *on the print sheet*
A picture of a failed print, top, side and underside would also help us diagnose ...
But more than half of "it worked until it didn't" problems come down to one of four causes: Missed maintenance, you've addressed that; a dirty print-sheet, likewise, first layer 'Z' offset calibration off, either drifting as the nozzle wears or sometimes not re-done after nozzle change and finally, damp filament. The latter two we can spot with a picture as requested.
All of these can resemble poor extrusion if the print fails in the early layers and you already dealt with most of the likely causes of actual poor extrusion before posting.
Cheerio,
RE: Under extrusion issue which I cannot seem to solve.
Heres the link to my original post, perhaps it better to continue there instead of hogging OPs thread.
There's five pictures in that thread.
Did you copy the wrong link? That thread has only one picture showing a dirty print-sheet with hints of damp filament.
The OP probably won't mind you adding to a two year old thread.
Cheerio,