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ABS and PLA mixing after changing filament?  

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Strikerkc
(@strikerkc)
New Member
ABS and PLA mixing after changing filament?

So, I'm worried that when switching from ABS to PLA or vice-versa, the materials are mixing in the nozzle, and messing with my prints.

At first I thought my issue was getting ABS calibrated correctly (I've been printing in PLA almost exclusively). I'd try to print a benchy in ABS, and it'd get about 1cm tall, where it switches to building the deck surface, and the bow of the boat looked like it was expanding (the print nozzle and probe would actually push gooey plastic down as they passed); then the prow would turn brown and burn. I figured since it was the area getting the most plastic and heat, it was just over heating and expanding; meaning I had to screw with temp.

I had to drop that project and go back and print some PLA parts for another project, and I started getting adhesion issue with my PLA print, where a side would start to curl up off the bed. I've never had this happen with my PLA before, and I'm using all my old PLA settings, so I am thinking it's ABS getting mixed in, and cooling, to cause it to warp and pull up from the bed. Which makes me think my ABS problem, may have been caused by PLA being in the mix and burning/expanding at the higher temps.

Has any actually encountered an issue with materials mixing/not getting cleared out when you switch materials? Any fixes? am I insane?

Posted : 12/02/2017 9:59 pm
david.b14
(@david-b14)
Honorable Member
Re: ABS and PLA mixing after changing filament?

This is how most get filament jams ( switching from a hi temp to a low temp material).

Best to do some cord pulls / atomic cleaning method... maybe some Esun cleaner.

Even better is to get a nozzle for each type of filament. It is so much work to clear a jam if you need to take apart the print head body.

If I was in your shoes I would order a nozzle now. I say this because I've been down this road and it took a week of troubleshooting with no solution except to replace the nozzle and then everything worked.

Posted : 13/02/2017 2:21 am
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