Reprap issues

[Alexander Bilgri]

Hi all,

Alright, I'm probably just being an idiot but someone might be able to help me. I've been putting together my Reprap and I've been successful right up until the extrusion. It appears like the heater doesn't have a fast enough recovery time so after extruding a few centimeters of ABS it slows to a stop and the hobbed bolt just grinds at the filament.

I am using 3mm filament with a RAMPS 1.4 board flashed with Sprinter. I have an ultimaker hotend. My PSU is rated for enough power. Any suggestions?

If I can't solve it myself, I could drop off my Gordian knot at S67 and give the winner a spool of filament. Or a six-pack.

Thanks,
Alex

[Chris Meyer]

What temperature are you printing at?  Are you using a thermocouple or a thermistor for feedback?  Have you confirmed the temperature at the tip with another temperature measuring tool?

Chris

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[Charles Allhands]

I've encountered this problem before and there are a lot of things that could cause it. Could you include more details? Maybe a link to the exact version of extruder you are using, nozzle diameter, a picture of the hobbed bolt (it may not be hobbed very well), the resistor being used, etc. The more information the better.

         -Charles

On Mon, Oct 1, 2012 at 1:59 PM, Alexander Bilgri <abi...@gmail.com> wrote:

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[Alexander Bilgri]

It's a 100K NTC thermistor. I have not checked the temperature with any precision, but it seems close (just a glass bulb mercury thermometer). I have tried it at the Printrun default of 230C.

I have this kit with a .5mm nozzle: http://ultimachine.com/content/makergear-hot-end-kit-3mm-filament

The hobbed bolt will grind off the filament, so I think that is not the issue.

Thanks!

[Tim Bertram]

If your using an ATX power supply you may need load (resistor or light
bulb) on the 5V line to get full output on the 12V lines.

http://reprap.org/wiki/Balancing_ATX_Supplies

-Tim

[Joe Kerman]

Push the filament by hand until you figure it out,  it will save you having to clean out the hobbed bolt.

Are you sure it's a temp drop, and not a clogged nozzle?  How low does printrun say the temp gets after pushing?

I'm also curious how fast your hotend heats up from cold, it's a good clue if your psu is putting out the juice it says it is

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[Charles Allhands]

When you push the filament through by hand does it stop shortly after as well? If so, if you wait 30 seconds and then try pushing again does the problem repeat or does it still not extrude?

   -Charles

[Alexander Bilgri]

I will have to try. Monday and Tuesday are busy days and I have an exam Friday. So, Friday afternoon I will restart the fiddling process.

Thanks for the tips everyone!

[Alexander Bilgri]

Thanks everybody! It was a synergistic problem of not enough current, poor insulation, and a poorly gripping hobbed bolt. Solved!

Now a new problem has emerged (grumble grumble jamming X-carriage) but this one has an obvious solution. Almost there!

Cheers,
Alex