ABS Clogging

[cpunches]

I got my E3D hotend installed and with that and the carbon fiber arms from TrickLaser I have made several very, very nice prints. On the downside the hotend keeps getting clogged. I'm printing with ABS and temps are between 235 and 240. I had literally just finished a darn near perfect print of an object, pulled it off the bed, went into the next room to show it to my wife, and a few minutes later I was getting ready to start the next print and the hotend is clogged. I'd kept the hotend heated as I knew I wanted to do another print. I did turn off the fan which leads me to believe that plastic is melting in the area above the nozzle and solidifying and clogging the nozzle if I don't run the fan all the time.

Anyone else with a E3D experience this?

[Polygonhell]

I've never really seen ABS clog on any nozzle, and not specifically on my E3D.
There can be issues with it if it's left melted for a long period it can break down, but it takes a long time.
If you remove the Bowden tube and try and push the ABS through by hand when this happens, how does it feel?

[cpunches]

I couldn't push anything through. I just dismantled the entire hotend and as I suspected the ABS had clogged in the upper section with the cooling fins. I guess I'm going to need to leave the fan running whenever I have the hotend heated. This has happened to me with two different spools of filament so far. It may also have something to do with this being a "custom" E3D. Sanjay had tapped this one for the bowden tube as the original I'd purchased wasn't setup of the bowden attachment that I'd purchased separately. Very frustrating really, getting absolutely fantastic quality from the prints I've done with this hotend so far. I'm going to clear the clog again and keep trial and erroring this until I get it right..

[JohnStack]

Sorry to hear.

Sounds familiar except for the E3D part,which I expect to try.

I'm wondering if the rule is just to keep the peek fan on 100% of the time.

Plus perhaps, there are inconsistent melting temps within the spool for ABS.

I'm very tired of clogged hot ends.

[cpunches]

Yes, I really wish I'd experience a different issue, these hotend issues are going to make me pull my remaining hair out. LOL.

[Broose]

I had a problem with the E3d clogging with ABS when hooked up to the g-code controlled fan output. There were times when the hotend was on and the fan was off. I connected it to 12V directly so it runs all the time and I haven't have a problem with ABS for months. Polygonhell's Repetier firmware has a PEEK fan output that turns on the fan whenever the hotend is on. I was going to try that eventually. I don't know if it has been also implemented in Repetier Max Firmware.

[cambo3d]

i use the ed3 with abs and the cooling fan running all the time, never experienced a clog.

it is also recommended to keep the fan running on the ed3 heat sinks. mine is directly wired to 12v supply.

[cpunches]

I think I'll see if i can find where to turn the peek fan on whenever the hotend is active. Thanks for the pointers guys.

[Broose]

Here is where we talked about it:
http://forum.seemecnc.com/viewtopic.php ... =20#p11142

[cpunches]

I got the clog cleaned as far as I can tell, but now when I extrude some filament it immediately starts to curl up as it leaves the nozzle, I've run quite a bit through just to see if it would clear up. After several 1000mm there's no change. I tried increasing the temp just to see if there might be a bit left in the nozzle some how - no effect. I tried searching for this problem but I didn't find anything. Anyone have an idea what might cause this?

[Eaglezsoar]

I would try to hand feed a drill bit the same size as the nozzle diameter into the nozzle.
They are available from Amazon at http://www.amazon.com/SE-Drills-Metric- ... +drill+bit

[cpunches]

Thanks for the link. Unfortunately I managed to break the tube between the upper section and the heater block so I've managed to destroy yet another hotend. I had a brand new stock hotend (from my last hotend fiasco) that I just got done putting together. Fortunately all I needed to do was tap the thermistor hole and a hole for a heater cartridge set screw and my new stock hotend is ready to go. I've got it mounted and verify everything works so far. I can't do any more until tomorrow night (dammed adult responsibilities! ). At some point I'll replace the needed parts on the E3D hotend - I got a couple of really good prints before I killed it.

[SanjayM]

Dirt or swarf on or in the filament can cause blockages. A dust cleaner made of sponge for your filament as it enters the extruder eliminates this.

The other cause can be junk from filament contaminants. Depends on your filament quality.

[cpunches]

That's next on my list Sanjay! I ordered another nozzle and tube. Is it possible to order the heater block too? I didn't see it listed on the E3D shop page. I'm probably going to have to drill the part of the tube that broke off out of the heater block. Be nice to be able to get another if things go awry. Thanks.