Kossel XL Extruder Clunking/Grinding

AlexRyanC · 2017-12-10T10:51:05.000Z

Hey! 2 years ago I got a Kossel XL and it has been working fine until recently. The print quality slowly started degrading and it was being caused by extruder not extruding properly- It kept grinding and making a clunking sound.
Since then, I have been through 2 different extruder mounts, 4 different extruder drive gears, I bought some capricorn bowden tubing since it was very cheap and have tried multiple spools of filament. Nothing sorted this problem.
I am printing PLA at 215.c at 50mm/sec with my extrusion multiplier set to 100% and the Esteps/mm set correctly. I have also tried new stepper boards with the correct voltages (0.8v) and nothing has fixed the issue.

Here is a video to show what my printer is doing, if you need any more info, just ask

Does anyone have any suggestions on how to solve this problem?
Thanks!

MaddieG · 2017-12-11T23:52:38.000Z

Hi there,

It’s possible you have a full or partial clog in the nozzle, I’d recommend trying a cold pull with nylon, or using some cleaning filament.

Best,

Maddie - 3D Hubs

AlexRyanC · 2017-12-12T19:48:23.000Z

Thanks for the reply! I don’t have any nylon or cleaning filament because I usually stick to PLA since its good enough for my application. I would put a new nozzle on and try it but something electronic has went up in smoke and, to say the least, its pretty dead for now.

I will reply as soon as I get it all fixed up.

Laegion · 2017-12-13T06:23:58.000Z

I hear a PTFE bowden tube resolves this. I’m going to try it. Mine only skips occasionally; usuallywhen the bowden tube is more bent when the effector is near the printing surface.

AlexRyanC · 2017-12-13T16:32:51.000Z

I’m currently using Capricorn PTFE tubing and its significantly better than regular PTFE tubing, so I’m pretty sure that isn’t the issue. Thanks, anyway!