nextruder make clicking sound
I have a problem with the Nextruder on my Prusa XL dual toolhead.
The printer starts printing, but then the extruder gear begins making a clicking sound. Sometimes the clicking lasts only a short time and the printer stops extruding filament, after which it starts printing again. Other times, it stops extruding completely.
The nozzle is not clogged, and there is no debris inside the Nextruder. The extruder motor keeps turning, so I’m not sure what the issue is. I also checked whether the nozzle was overtightened, but this did not solve the problem.
RE: nextruder make clicking sound
Did you load a filament into the Nextruder whose temperature was higher than the filament currently loaded?
Have you tried inserting a filament and setting the temperature higher than specified (270–280 degrees) and flushing very often?
Have you checked/adjusted the preload of the two screws on the idler?
Is the filament running straight into the nozzle at the top?
Is the roller from which the Nextruder unrolls free to move?
RE: nextruder make clicking sound
I am using a new Prusa nozzle.
I tried flushing the nozzle, but it did not resolve the issue.
I checked the two idler screws.
The filament path is straight,
and the filament roll moves freely.
If i unload the filament and spin the nextruder gear with my finger it gets stuck somtimes.
RE: nextruder make clicking sound
If i unload the filament and spin the nextruder gear with my finger it gets stuck somtimes.
That's a very good point.
Is the original lubricant still in there?
If so, I would remove the gears and clean everything.
RE: nextruder make clicking sound
I cleaned the gears two days ago and used the aligner to reinstall them, but the problem is still occurring.
RE: nextruder make clicking sound
I cleaned the gears two days ago and used the aligner to reinstall them, but the problem is still occurring.
Can you start printing and observe the noise/behavior? Or does it occur randomly/sporadically?
When does this occur most frequently?
Which filaments are most prone to this?
What nozzle diameter do you use, and what is your nozzle temperature and layer height?
What is the maximum volumetric speed?
RE: nextruder make clicking sound
I always print with PLA on that extruder.
The nozzle diameter is 0.4 mm, the temperature is 230 °C, and the layer height is 0.2 mm.
It usually happens after the printer has completed around 20–40 layers.
I started a print today, and when it happened, I heard a clicking noise. I touched the extruder and could feel vibrations while it was clicking. During that time, no filament was extruded, and when the clicking stopped, it started extruding filament again.
The maximum volumetric speed is set to 0 mm³/s.
RE: nextruder make clicking sound
I think we're slowly getting to the root of the problem.
To me, your description points to insufficient cooling from the heat sink.
I don't know where your printer is located or how “warm” it gets, but I suspect that the PLA filament is becoming too soft, preventing the extruder from feeding it.
You either need to lower the room temperature or increase the speed of the heat sink fan.
I had to do the latter once in an emergency when my temperature sensor on the XL was defective. I soldered four 10kOhm resistors in series so that the fan ran at maximum speed. (I was printing PCCF at the time and had to help myself somehow)
This means that if you want to start another test print, you will certainly find a softer and compressed piece of filament behind the idler when, after a certain amount of time, the heat from the heatsink has slowly softened the PLA.
RE: nextruder make clicking sound
Thanks, I will try increasing the speed of the heatsink fan.
The room temperature is 20–22 °C.
RE: nextruder make clicking sound
As I said, it's just a guess from a distance.
You can display the fan speed and the temperature of the heat sink on the display.