Loading TPU/Flex
What is your guys experience loading TPU or FLEX into CoreOne+? I got and assembled one about a month ago and had trouble loading NinjaFlex (95A) into it.
First I tried to feed it through the normal PTFE tube path. I loosened the idler screws and turned off the side filament sensor (using the orange switch on it) and cut the filament tip an angled. However I could not get the Nextruder filament sensor to trigger and starting loading.
I then removed the PTFE tube from the extruder and manually fed the tip of the filament into the extruder and it felt like I was getting it past the sensor. However, even in that case the automatic loading did not trigger.
The way I managed to load it is by disabling both filament sensors, manually feeding the filament tip into the extruder, and then hitting the "Load" button. That worked fine and I was able to print with it. However, this seem like a painful way to do it, especially considering the CoreOne+ is advertised as having "easy flexible filament loading."
What has your experience been. Any tweaks I should make to be able to load TPU through the PTFE without opening up the printer lid?
Thanks.
RE: Loading TPU/Flex
Once you get the filament past the Nextruder filament sensor (that is the challenging part), use the Filament menu to "Load Filament". That will start the Nextruder rotating to bring it in.
What is your guys experience loading TPU or FLEX into CoreOne+? I got and assembled one about a month ago and had trouble loading NinjaFlex (95A) into it.
First I tried to feed it through the normal PTFE tube path. I loosened the idler screws and turned off the side filament sensor (using the orange switch on it) and cut the filament tip an angled. However I could not get the Nextruder filament sensor to trigger and starting loading.
I then removed the PTFE tube from the extruder and manually fed the tip of the filament into the extruder and it felt like I was getting it past the sensor. However, even in that case the automatic loading did not trigger.
The way I managed to load it is by disabling both filament sensors, manually feeding the filament tip into the extruder, and then hitting the "Load" button. That worked fine and I was able to print with it. However, this seem like a painful way to do it, especially considering the CoreOne+ is advertised as having "easy flexible filament loading."
What has your experience been. Any tweaks I should make to be able to load TPU through the PTFE without opening up the printer lid?Thanks.
RE: Loading TPU/Flex
Thanks. That's actually one of the things I tried and was the only way to get the filament to load, but to do that, I needed to remove the PTFE tube from the extruder and push the filament end into it manually. I was hoping there was a better way to do this without needing to remove the top lid and messing with the extruder tubing.
Once you get the filament past the Nextruder filament sensor (that is the challenging part), use the Filament menu to "Load Filament". That will start the Nextruder rotating to bring it in.
RE: Loading TPU/Flex
I recently replaced the heatsink on my Core One Nextruder because a misloaded TPU filament tangled up inside the NExtruder and destroyed the loadcell. After swapping out the heatsink I could not get the TPU past the second filament sensor (on top of the Nextruder). A forum member suggested there was a mod for the XL that used two repelling 3mm x 3mm magnets to replace the spring. For the life of me I can't find the link on Printables (I found it this morning). However, it's easy.
Turn off Core One.
Completely unscrew but do not remove the three M3 cap screws holding the face of the extruder.
Grasp the entire gear package with plate and cover and remove gently. Find the thin spacer that goes on the toothed shaft. It will be stuck either to the shaft or the back of the gear package. Remove and place on the shaft.
Using needle nose pliers, remove the little holder that contains the ball bearing, magnet and spring. Take care that the pieces don't fly.
Get two 3mm diameter x 3mm long magnets. I had only one that size, but another that was 1/8" x 1/8". It worked fine.
Remove the spring and save for a rainy day. Stack the three magnets so they are all attracted to each other with the ball bearing on one end.
Remove the last magnet, turn it around so it repels the other magnets, and slide it carefully into the black plastic holder.
Drop the other two magnets and ball bearing into the same hole. The repelling magnets will act as a spring, but with less tension than the original spring.
Slide the black holder back into the Heatsink.
Grasp the gear package with the three screws still protruding and replace it onto the face of the heatsink. Wiggle carefully until the gear package sits flush. Tighten all three screws.
Recalibrate the gearbox per instructions in the calibration section.
This worked like a charm. I still have to taper the end of the TPU with some clippers, but the spring tension on the sensor is much less and I can get the TPU past it. just fine now.
RE: Loading TPU/Flex
I ran into the same problem with TPU not getting past the Nextruder filament sensor on my Core One.
In my case the issue turned out not to be TPU itself but the sensor assembly. The small spring behind the steel ball (the one that pushes the ball back toward the filament path) was not fully seated in its holder. Because of that the ball protruded slightly further into the filament path than intended.
That increased the force needed to push the ball aside. With PETG the filament was stiff enough to overcome this, but with TPU (fed through a PTFE tube) the filament would simply compress instead of pushing the ball aside. As a result the Nextruder filament sensor never triggered.
After reseating the spring correctly in its pocket the ball moved to the correct position and TPU now loads normally through the PTFE tube.
So if someone has trouble loading TPU or flex filament, it might be worth checking that the spring behind the sensor ball is properly seated.
RE: Loading TPU/Flex
Thanks. I may give that a try.
Here's the link: https://www.printables.com/model/1263406-nextruder-filament-sensor-magnet-mod