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Aug 2014

I have been having problems with the High Resolution prints.Kindly assist.

  • created

    Aug '14
  • last reply

    Aug '14
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I own a Makerbot Replicator 2x in Nairobi,Kenya.Its in a Tropical Zone.

When I set the Makerbot to print in high resolution,hence high definition prints, the extruder stops extruding consistently and starts to “spit” after some time.then later stops completely. On reseting and trying again I still get the same problem over and over. Please assist

Hi Amos, I think you are hinting at the fact that you may have damp filament. What filament are you using, how old is it and how are you storing it? How old is the machine and have you done good prints before? James

Could you post a picture?

As @James_2 mentioned damp filament also comes into question if you are using PLA.

Does the problem persist if you go back to standard quality?

I use ABS Filament.and when I print standard quality or low,I don’t get this problem. and also I don’t think they are damp as I store them in a shelf and the room is not humid. As for the Makerbot,barely a year old.probably 11months @James_2 @ProdPoint

Let me look for the pictures for the prints I did in high resolution and I will upload in a while.

By spits do you mean clicks?

I don’t use makerbot machines but have read a lot about the issues with the clicking extruders - at high res you are putting the plastic under more pressure and so can experience steppers slipping - time for you to ask on a speclaist makerbot forum - Makerbot users (google group) has just been closed, but 3d printer tips and tricks isopen and if you describe the issue on there there are lots of MB users who can walk you though the issue and help you get on track. (Redirecting to Google Groups) there is also makerbot users Redirecting to Google Groups but the best IMHO is Redirecting to Google Groups

James

Hello Amos!

Solution to your problem, 99.9% guranteed!!!

1. To start do the extruder block upgrade Replicator 2X Extruder Drive Block Upgrade by rmcniff - Thingiverse 1 recommended by @KHAN

2. Every time that I have the faulty layers it is one of these two problems:

A) Specially ABS and the old Colorfabb (in black spool) leave residues which make a burnt crust inside the walls of the extruder. You need to clean it every 150 hours. I use this great and simple tool by Henry Thomas Nozzle cleaning tool by whpthomas - Thingiverse This has solved the problem every time.
You will begin to hear the clicking sound as the filament struggles to slide. The result is a series of spits instead of an even flow of filament. This is more apparent when extruding long lines.

B) Tangled filament. when you change spools be careful to put the tip of the filament trough one of the holes that you find at the edge of every spool. It is important to keep the filament tight in the spool because otherwise it gets tangled, every time that the extruder motor has problems pulling it from the spool, it will result in a missing part on the layer being laid.

3. Store your filament in a plastic bag with some dissecant or rice in it. Damp filament makes little bubbles of steam that explode resulting in objects with a sandpaper texture. The higher the resolution, the rougher it will feel. Look with a magnifying glass and you will see them specially in black filament.

Have a great weekend!
Claudia and José