Hot end plugged up

[bvandiepenbos]

I have been printing for probably 5 hours today without issue.
now all of a sudden it won't extrude.
could it be plugged up?
tried pulling out filament, cutting off and reinserting...rollers grab fine but it goes in a ways then stops.
did this 3-4 times without success.
very little is coming out tip.
now what?

~*Brian

[Polygonhell]

Are you printing with PLA or ABS it's common for PLA to block the PTFE tube inside thee hot end as heat soaks into the PEEK eventually the PLA gets soft further up in the hot end, it expands and blocks the tube. A fan blowing on the hot tend can reduce the chances of it happening.
You have to take nozzle off the hot end, pull out the PTFE tube and either clan it or replace it. If you haven't already I'd recommend buying some additional PTFE tube.

[Fiero2M6]

Are you printing with PLA or ABS? The Teflon tube may be clogged.

Edit: He beat me to it.

[bvandiepenbos]

Hi,
I am printing with ABS at 425 degrees F
Your right, the PEEK tube is plugged and bulged out.
I will stop by and pickup new from John at SeeMeCNC, they are only 3 miles from me.
Thanks for the fan tip. ...guess I better be adding that.

Also need better way to monitor my temperature, the cheapo meter from Menards seems to give erratic readings.
I am thinking about getting a oven thermometer, drilling hole in hot end and sticking it in hole and leaving it there.

I think it was running 400-425 degrees but not positive, may have reached 450 a few times???


What if I machined a finned aluminum piece that slides over hot end, think that would be a good modification ?


Thanks,
~*Brian VanDiepenbos
Goshen, IN

[michaellatif]

Hi Brian,

I have had the peek tube well over 500F for a while by accident. Are you using a PTFE liner?
Also, I don't use a fan at all, I run my extruder anywhere between 400F - 440F.
I think the only reason to have a fan is for PLA filament, its more susceptible to melting in the PTFE liner as heat rises from the extruder.

[mhackney]

I run my fan with both ABS and PLA. I found that if the machine sits for even a couple of minutes at temperature with ABS (400°F - 425°F) that I'll get a plug and the teflon tube swells.

Michael

[Prober]

Are you printing with PLA or ABS? The Teflon tube may be clogged.

Edit: He beat me to it.

Think the same just happened here. Have to wait until it cools down.

[bvandiepenbos]

Squirting hot plastic again... woo hooo
Replaced nozzle and clear tube. Also put more tension on feed rollers, I suspect filament was slipping slightly so extrusion was not consistent.

~*Brian V
Goshen, IN