PLA filament stuck in drive gears

[Vektor]

Hello everyone,

I just received my FFCP from Amazon Italy, I had success printing the test_right file (ABS filament), but I’m having a lot of issues with PLA filament, because the filament gets stuck in the driver gear, which i alredy pulled out and tried to clean.

I already tried different print temperatures (220,210,200,190) but the result is the same: after a while the filament loses its track and gets stuck, nothing comes out of the extruder (see attachments).

I tried to google a bit, but I could only find procedures to clean the gears, which I already did twice, but not a definitive fix.

Should I contact support as this keeps happening or is it due to my low 3d printing skills?

Thanks in advance.

[norarth]

I’ve had similar problems because the gears were too hot during the print and the PLA filament became soft close to the gears. Have you enabled the cooling fans that are cooling the extruder?

[cobnut]

Hi @Vektor I had exactly the same problem with my FF Pro. Try adjusting your extrusion multiplier setting and/or checking your filament’s actual diameter. The problem is that the extruder is trying to push in more filament than is being used, so you need to reduce the feed rate.

Since it’s a real pain unblocking these jams, I’d suggest changing the setting to something very low first (70% or so), then increasing it gradually until you get a good print without under extrusion.

[norarth]

yep, it could be this too… I didn’t took into consideration since it doesn’t look over extruding from the pictures he posted

[Vektor]

@noarth I tried turning on the support fan (I installed the duct as well) but when it is on I have the strange feeling that it “shrinks” my filaments. The issue still remains though, after some time the extrusion stops.

[cobnut]

@norarth I think for me it was probably a combination of two things; the feed rate and the filament becoming soft. Dropping the extrusion rate (for me) seemed to work (I’ve had no jams for a long time now), but I suspect it was also the particular filament supplier I was using (who I won’t buy from again) as with another it doesn’t happen at all, even at higher extrusion rates/temps.

I don’t think you’d ever see over extrusion in the prints in this case because that requires a “firm” push into the extruder and the soft filament won’t allow this…

[norarth]

could be several issues:
- extruder is running too hot premelting the filament (gears are too hot)
- too high feedrate (see message from cobnut)
- extruder spring too strong (pushing and deviating the filament)

- total or partially clogged nozzle

[norarth]

@cobnut you have right with over extrusion… probably just a clogged nozzle + feed rate since one extruder is working right and the other is not extruding and blocking the filament into the extruder.

[wirlybird]

What brand and type is that PLA? I can’t imagine the PLA I am using wrapping up like spaghetti like that. I would think it would break first unless it is getting that warm.

I would also have to agree that the feed rate is to high or something like a partial clog is causing a reduced flow.

[jasonk]

It looks like blue is jamming. One trick I found is to lightly coat the first 2" above the extruder with 3-in-one oil. I just coat my fingers a little and rub it onto the filament. This helps lubricate the filament path and has virtually eliminated jams on my machine. Good luck!

[Vektor]

I was using the blue PLA filament bundled with the printer.

I’ve already ordered a ColorFabb PLA intense green filament for my future works.

[jasonk]

Hatchbox from Amazon works great too.

[dewhisna]

If you don’t happen to have any 3-in-1 oil, you can also use canola oil or even olive oil from your kitchen.

[Perry_1]

The PLA that comes with the flashforge is junk. I think you will see when you get a good roll of PLA, your problem will go away.

In the meantime: measure your filament with calipers along a good stretch of it. Put the highest number into the slicer software.

Print cooler.

But the best advice is just pitch it and get better filament. You are probably the 5th poster in the last few monthes with this issue with Flashforge PLA.

[Vektor]

I tried to search for it on Italian Amazon, but it’s sold only by 3rd party resellers at the ridicolous price of 150+€. Just got a spool from German Amazon

[Vektor]

Thanks to everyone who kindly answered. I noticed that the stock filament feeder was more an hindrance than a guide for my PLA filament (no problems with the ABS Filament instead) and for some reason the filament twisted while moving towards the extruder (it was already mounted so that it rotated in the proper direction).

By lowering the extruder temperature at 190C and the plate at 70C I was able to successfully print the filament feeder upgrade for my printer.

I tried again to do the cube print but I think that the default temperatures are just wrong (L:220C, R:220C, Plate: 110C) and I got another failure with a jam worse than the one attached in my question. I’ll try to print something else in the next hours.

[wirlybird]

If you are printing PLA at those temps they are way high. Those would be temps for ABS. I think all of that heat is the issue causing the jams. The PLA is getting to soft up at the feed.

[Alexcanion]

Sorry for forgetting the bed temperature 110 degree, and that will let PLA be a little soft. You are right.

[Alexcanion]

No, i don’t think so. Usually there will be a cooling fan for the filament above. If the the filament above getting soft, that means its cooling is not ok. I tried on my own printer for printing PLA in 220 degree, it was ok. I don’t know whether flashforge printer can print flexible filament, if so, soft will not be the problem.

[jasonk]

Wow! That’s a ridiculous markup. I just bought a roll for 22 USD shipped. Good luck getting some good filament.