Filament Stuck
Hi,
so today, I had just finished assembling my printer.
I was done with the XYZ calibration, everything went well.
I did a preheat and loaded a filament with no issue (with the PLA that came with the printer).
Then I started running the "V2 calibration". Everything went fine for the first two runs (I was adjusting Z live). But on the third run, the plastic stopped coming out and the filament would not go further in and I couldn't load it out.
After some research, I tried to:
- increase the temperature, no effect.
- remove the fan on the heat break, wait 5 minutes, no effect.
The filament was still stuck, so I disassembled the extruder.
It turns out the filament is stuck in the heat break (please see pictures attached).
I tried everything I could think of but I can't get the filament out. Do I need to buy another heat break? Is there a way to disassemble it more?
Any suggestions welcome, I am really bummed out I didn't get to print anything!
Re: Filament Stuck
That black ring seen around the PTFE tube, usually you can press down on it to unlock the tube. After that, you might be able to pull out the tube and the blockage in there. Since you're using PLA, you can try to heat everything up with a blow dryer or some such, the PLA should soften long before the teflon tube does..
Judging from the picture, i think the PTFE tube is deformed, so you'd have to source a short piece of this kind of tube as a replacement. It's cheap, You're looking for 4mm outer diameter and 2mm inner diameter, which is pretty standard. Should be able to find it on ebay no problem, or check the e3-online website (e3d built the hotend used in the MK2S) here: http://e3d-online.com/E3D-v6/Spares/Bowden-Tubing-1.75mm
When replacing the tube, make sure to give the outside of the tube end that sticks into the hotend a slight chamfer and push all the way in and lock it in place by pulling the black locking ring up Anpencil sharpener might come in handy for that.. Also chamfer the inside of the other end to help guide filament into the tube.
Re: Filament Stuck
I do not know where you found the tip to remove the fan on the heat break for 5 minutes. But I think this cause your PTFE tube to be deformed and filament to be stuck much more. When heated up, stopping this fan for more then couple second caused me filament stuck already twice.
I would on the opposite check if the fan is running fine. Filament can stuck for many reasons, also because of its quality. When filament does not have the right crosssection, it can stuck as well. Also some dust can block the nozzle. And a lot of more...
Milos.
Re: Filament Stuck
Now when disassembled, remove the PTFE tube (replace with new one) as Stephan advised.
You can heat it up e.g. in oven, 100°C should be fine to get the filament out. Do not scratch the inside of the cooler, you should not use any metal tools inside.
M.
Re: Filament Stuck
Thank you all.
I was able to remove the PTFE tube, but in the process, I broke the small black ring, but I think it comes with the replacement tube ( http://e3d-online.com/E3D-v6/Spares/Bowden-Tubing-1.75mm ) stephan.k mentioned?
Also, since I am going to place an order on E3D, I wanted to buy the whole extruder just in case I need it later 🙂
Which one should I get for the Prusa? Is this the correct one? http://e3d-online.com/v6-1.75mm-Universal
When I re-assemble the heatbreak with the nose, after replacing the PTFE tube, do I just screw it back on or is there more to it?
Thanks again for your help!
Re: Filament Stuck
I don't think they ship that ring together with the tube. I have no clue why they're showing these plastic pressfits there, they're not mentioned in the description. Might want to check with e3d. I think you'd need this: http://e3d-online.com/E3D-v6/Spares/Embedded-Bowden-Couplings-For-Metal-1.75mm-Filament
With respect to the full hotend: V6, 1.75, Direct, 12V is what we need, so yes that is the correct link.
Re: Filament Stuck
Wonderful, thank you!