Re: Leaking Filament from extruder

[Ichigo]

I really can't tell what is going on in your picture but do you have a modified extruder?

On Tuesday, March 12, 2013 2:00:24 PM UTC-7, in...@poshbadges.co.uk wrote:

Hi All

I am having problems with my MB Rep2.  After about 10 min when printing my object I get a clump of filament leaking from the top of the extruder.  This clump of PLA then falls onto the object that is being printed.  Has any one else experienced this problem,  is there a work around or am I doing something wrong.  This bot is 4 to5 weeks old and I am still using the natural filament supplied with the machine.  I have opened a ticket but I am getting no response from the Makerbot rapid resonse crew.   I have a feeling I may have to purchase a new extruder but Makerbot does not have this item in there store.  Any way have added

[Jetguy]

No work around, you failed to assemble or adjust the hot end assembly.
Internally in the heater block, the stainless tube and the nozzle are
not touching and sealing. This means hot molten PLA is leaking through
the threads both directions.

Follow the MK7 assembly directions.
http://downloads.makerbot.com/support/pdf/Thing-O-Matic/Docs/Stepstruder%20MK7%20Assembly.pdf
Since it's now got the threads filled with PLA, You now get the fun
experience of doing this hot as if you try to adjust it cold, you will
break something. The PLA locks the htreas so if you try to unscrew the
nozzle or the tube or even tighten them cold, you will break one off
and then you are SOL.
A video on nozzles here http://www.makerbot.com/support/replicator/troubleshooting/nozzle-swap/



You must pre-heat and keep it hot the entire time but don't burn
yourself----good luck.

On Mar 12, 5:24 pm, Ichigo <michaell...@gmail.com> wrote:
> I really can't tell what is going on in your picture but do you have a
> modified extruder?
>
>
>
> On Tuesday, March 12, 2013 2:00:24 PM UTC-7, in...@poshbadges.co.uk wrote:
>
> > Hi All
>

> > <https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-s1qBGQYQsto/UT-XLYjlXkI/AAAAAAAAAB...>

[Jetguy]

Also, notice how your insulation is filled with PLA? Right, that makes
it no longer insulating, so this means more heat is radiated up to the
metal bar attached to the motor. This means you are more likely to
experience jams from PLA as the fialment will be warmer and noodle
like in the pinch wheel area. So it's not just the nozzle is leaking,
this error caused you lots of issue and is going to be a pain to fix.
To work on it to remove the insulation and replace the block also must
be hot.

You need :
kapton tape
Insulation
at least 2 sets of pliars and maybe a wrench
Scissors
Maybe a knife
Allen keys
I would use a heatgun for heat rather than trying to mess with the bot
heater system

On Mar 12, 5:48 pm, Jetguy <barrych...@hotmail.com> wrote:
> No work around, you failed to assemble or adjust the hot end assembly.
> Internally in the heater block, the stainless tube and the nozzle are
> not touching and sealing. This means hot molten PLA is leaking through
> the threads both directions.
>

> Follow the MK7 assembly directions.http://downloads.makerbot.com/support/pdf/Thing-O-Matic/Docs/Stepstru...

> Since it's now got the threads filled with PLA, You now get the fun
> experience of doing this hot as if you try to adjust it cold, you will
> break something. The PLA locks the htreas so if you try to unscrew the
> nozzle or the tube or even tighten them cold, you will break one off
> and then you are SOL.

> A video on nozzles herehttp://www.makerbot.com/support/replicator/troubleshooting/nozzle-swap/

[Justin Leone]

JetGuy is probably right about what's wrong with it, but seeing as the machine comes pre-assembled, it's probably MBI's failure, not yours.  This is probably something that MBI will replace for you free of charge.  They replaced my entire extruder assembly (motor, fans, nozzle, etc.) for something as simple as stripped thermocouple wires.  If you insist that you need the machine working ASAP, they might even send a replacement without asking for the original back, and you'll get some spare parts for your trouble.

[lassikin]

yep, it's a mbi fail, so mbi might send a new assembly.

jetty is right about the reason though, and cleaning it up can be annoying.

you can skip on the insulation on the block though. just couple of layers of kapton works fine for me(the radiation compared to the heat transferred by the barrel doesn't seem to matter all that much. I got kapton on the plastics facing it though too).

one word of warning, don't just try to tighten it up with force, you can easily ruin the threads on the heater block!

-lassi