More Flashforge Creator Pro Not Printing

jwatt · 2016-05-07T18:37:02.000Z

When you load filaments is it coming through?

If yes, What slicer are you using? I started straight with simplify 3d, my errors that caused this was:

1) wrong material selected (temperature was 50C too low)

2) I had the fan on max for abs starting at level 1; which cause it to cool too quickly and it would clog the extruder.

jwatt · 2016-05-07T18:38:05.000Z

That’s what I’m thinking, not machine, but slicer settings.

AllosTech · 2016-05-07T18:42:37.000Z

I use Simplify3D and PLA at ~230 and ABS at ~205.

JohnnyVF · 2016-05-07T18:57:08.000Z

Did you swap those?

You need to use 205 for PLA and 230 for ABS.

Did you load your filament through the firmware? Does the filament flow freely while loading?

AllosTech · 2016-05-07T19:11:31.000Z

Nope - I used to use 230 for ABS but recently my prints were coming out bad. Some threads suggested ~200 so I set it to 205 and haven’t had a problem. I think my problems could be due to a a change in room temperature.

For example - ABS vs. PLA: Pros and Cons of Each 3D Printing Filament

iTech3DP · 2016-05-07T19:12:14.000Z

Is your filament diameter greater than 1.75mm? If it’s not feeding through at all your filament may just have a buldge in it.

ben8p · 2016-05-07T19:41:23.000Z

I have somewhat the same issue. The print start perfectly then after a while (random) the print behaves like everything is OK but no filament is coming out. This happens with ABS and PLA using simplify 3D or flashprint… Loading the filament works perfect and the filament freely come out… I suspect the spool being too hard to spin… So at a certain point the extruder cannot get filament anymore. I am trying now with a new spool holder… I also suspected my printer not to be week leveled (not the bed, the printer itself). So I changed where the printer is lying… Note: this happens only on my left extruder…

Chris_Fullwood · 2016-05-07T20:48:47.000Z

205 is not hot enough for ABS

AllosTech · 2016-05-07T21:08:30.000Z

I don’t know what you tell you - I must be able to bend the rules of physics then:

http://imgur.com/a/jIwZr

austweb · 2016-05-08T00:15:40.000Z

The PFTE tube inside the nozzle may be the problem,

BrumbyBloke · 2016-05-08T00:41:04.000Z

If plastic is coming out of the extruders when loading bed could be too close to the nozzle try reloading with the bed further from the nozzle. Also 230 is way too hot for PLA I normally run between 180 and 190 depending on brand

ben8p · 2016-05-08T16:16:20.000Z

Today I did some big prints with my new spool holder and the issue seems to be gone… The spool I made can be seen here : http://www.instructables.com/id/Spool-Holder-for-Flashforge-Creator-Pro-FFCP/

twiesner · 2016-05-09T15:45:56.000Z

Can you push filament through manually?

If you can then my best guest is the filament drive gear. It may have crude on it and can’t grasp the filament to push it through or alternatively the gear that pushes the filament up against the drive gear isn’t tight enough that the drive gear can’t grasp the filament.

mwhitaker · 2016-05-10T19:50:42.000Z

I am using Flashforge’s PLA filament. The extruder is set at 220.

mwhitaker · 2016-05-11T14:30:51.000Z

I can push it manually, then it stops. I just took everything apart, did not brush off the drive gear as it looked ok, soaked extruders. When I put it back together, loaded the filament, and one small strand came out and stopped!

If the gear that pushes the filament up against the drive gear isn’t tight enough, how is that fixed? Can it be tightened somehow?

Chris_Fullwood · 2016-05-11T14:59:32.000Z

Are you sure you lined the drive feed back up correctly when you put it back together. If it is off it will not feed correctly.

Is the stepper motor running?

twiesner · 2016-05-11T15:07:31.000Z

You can push it manually through before it stops going through? Or are you saying that when you push the filament through manually it is fine but when the printer tries to feed it through it will stop?

If it is the first I would imagine there is still a clog. If it is the second then I think the spring to the extruder is miss-aligned or the bolt needs to be tightened a bit more. Could also be the drive gear is getting worn and needs to be replaced.

Have you checked out the troubleshooting section onthis page: Flashforge Professional 3D Printer Manufacture - 浙江闪铸三维科技有限公司.

Also just a side thought, have you tried printing with a different filament? Bad filament could be the culprit too.

Chris_Fullwood · 2016-05-11T17:23:29.000Z

Not sure what you are trying to show me here but that black rectangular cube you printed does not look very good if you are trying to prove to me 205 is an excellent temperature to print ABS. You are most definitely having bridging issues. You should probably use a cooling fan for bridging if you are not. How could it possible hurt to use a higher temperature? But whatever works for you. PLA melts at a much lower temperature than ABS so it would make more sense if you use 205 for PLA and 220-240 for ABS.

mwhitaker · 2016-05-11T18:16:53.000Z

I think I did. The steeper motor is running. Any other way to check?

Chris_Fullwood · 2016-05-11T19:21:39.000Z

Sure. Take the fan and cooling sink off. Remove the stepper if you want or you can just leave it on the cooling bar. Look at the feed guide and the roller. Make sure they are lining up. Let me know if that was the problem. If not you might need to remove the extruder head and check the teflon tube if you have not done that.

img_0044.jpg4032×3024 1.94 MB