That temp is just way to high for PLA, it’s going to get cooked. If you have to go that hot then I would look for a problem there. Anything over 240 and you are now running the risk of damaging the PTFE tubes.
Is the insulation on the nozzles intact?
Running that hot tells me a few things.
1. The temp reading is way off. What does the bed and extruders temp read when the printer has sat for a long time unused? They should read approximate room temp and all be about the same.
2. You have a partial clog or restriction in the PTFE tubes or nozzle that doesn’t let the proper amount of filament flow at correct temps. Running that high makes the filament more liquid allowing it to flow.
The printer is set to the wrong model in the software making the extruder run at the wrong speeds.
I would say for a .1mm layer height slow way down first or get it working on a .2 or .3 layer first then work from there… Extrusion multiplier should be at .90 to start for PLA. But first check these other things.
Have you dona a cold pull? It’s a method I have tried with good results. Heat up your hot end and stick some filament in so it barely starts to flow then shut off the hot end, let cool just enough to where the filament starts to harden then pull the filament out. A cold pull when done sucessfully pulls particles from the hot end nozzle that can get trapped. Seasoning the hot end has worked for me when using materials other than ABS, I didn’t have to start doing seasoning until I started mixing materials through my hot end… also make sure your cooling fans are blowing the correct direction. They should be blowing air away from the hot end.
I thought that at first too. So I got out the industrial Fluke 51 thermometer we have at work and it doesn’t lie. The temperature on the nozzle is fairly accurate. At least within 5ºC when taken on the nozzle. The heating block is hotter than that, but it seems the software is compensating for that.
The strange thing is the print comes out very nice with this extreme setting.
Going lower on the temp makes the print worse and the layers don’t adhere properly.
I have had the PTFE tube out and inspected it and it is clean as a whistle. Nozzle also looks unobstructed.
In the software it is set for the FFCP, wich is the comparable model.
What is the brand of material? Are you absolutely sure it is PLA and isn’t miss labeled? Is it truly 1.75mm?
With the PTFE tube out run some filament through it to make sure it moves freely. Make sure the length is correct. Look for deformations. Try another brand or roll of PLA.
On the nozzle it is hard to see any small issue. Make sure the size is correct.
How does ABS print and at what temp?
I’d still like to see what the temps read after sitting for a long period. Bottom line is it is really too hot and I believe that is the root of the problems. I print several types of PLA on my QIDI anywhere from 185 to 215 with no issues.
I was going to reply to say the same thing. That big aluminium block shouldn’t be getting hot, but it appears to be getting hot and allowing the PLA to melt before it even gets into the throat.
Another thing to try is to add a guide to the PLA. You have a lot of unsupported length (several mm) between the drive gear and where it goes through the block. This means that you’ll never be able to print flexible filaments. I created a guide for my extruder with a small length of PTFE that is almost touching the extruder. You want less than a mm of unsupported length. This would also help your issue.
So now I have an update.
I’ve changed the extrusion rate down and changed the speed down some more.
The retraction rate is also decreased and now I’m able to print at normal temperatures again without having the extruder jamming.
Thanks for all the helpful tips!
I’m still fighting to get the PLA to adhere to the HIPS, but I’m getting closer.
Does any one have any good tips about that?