I don’t think I can tighten the screws anymore. They’re all the way tight. Before this issue started, they were not this tight and the gap was smaller.
The slicing program is called Qidi Print. It came with the printer. I have not adjusted any settings at all. I’m not that adept yet.
I can see on the side of the block where it can be tightened, I have just never attempted it before. Is there an easy step by step guide on what needs to removed, etc?
Thanks!
How can I find out about the layer height, though, I have never changed the settings.
I can see where the nozzle and heating block can be screwed and unscrewed, however, there isn’t enough space for me to use the tools I have properly. I think the surrounding parts/area may need to be removed so I can get in there. I don’t see how that can be done, though.
I’m capable of removing the motor, as I said before, to unclog the extruder, but that’s as far as I’ve gotten with my tinkering and engineering.
But, really, this all leads to the question of:
Will tightening the nozzle/heating block solve the problem?
Currently, the filament loads and unloads smoothly. I just wonder, and I’m not a designer or engineer, if a loose heating block would cause the filament to not be extruded during a print. Hmmm?
The nozzle is too close to the bed. I can see it from the picture. When it was reassembled something is causing the nozzle to be much lower than normal.
When the bed is all the way down by the leveling screws you can get 2-3 credit cards in between the bed and nozzle.
Take a picture of the nozzle and heat block so I can see the gap between the hex part of the nozzle and the bottom of the block.
Was trying to see the gap between the hex part of the nozzle and the bottom of the heat block but it is covered by the insulation so really can’t see.
When you unclogged it what exactly did you do?
I took out the motor, unplugged the fan and used the long, needle-like tool to push the obstruction down, through the extruder. Then reassembled. I suppose it’s possible that I may have been too forceful and somehow the heating block became loose but I really doubt it.
I did contact Qidi and they said they are going to send me the “half set of extruder.” I’m not sure what a “half set” is, but when it arrives, I’ll try replace it. Maybe that is the issue?
Any other ideas of what I could try beforehand?
Thanks again!
If you never actually removed the nozzle then my guess is that the whole assemble including the barrel (cold tube) where the filament enters from the stepper may have slid down slightly.
If that is the case then it will need a full disassembly to get things back in place.
I know someone who is going to stop by early next week who is much more experienced than I to take a look at the printer and hopefully teach me a thing or two. I will definitely let you know what we discover.
One other quick thing, if I could ask. I am debating whether or not to purchase another one of these Qidi printers (the one that is currently unusable) or another Flashforge Finder. The quality of the Qidi prints seem to be a little better and the machine itself seems to be built a little more sturdy. However, the Finder has been steady and ultra reliable. I also prefer the slicing software with the Finder. Very user friendly. Any advice? I am also slowly starting to read up on layer heights and how that can effect printing quality. Would you mind giving me your two cents on how it works on what my layer height setting should be at? Right now they’re set at the defaults of 0.27 (first layer height) and 0.18. Is that an acceptable setting?
Thank you again for taking the time to assist me. I really appreciate it!
As far as a machine it really depends on what you need out of it.
Size, materials, budget etc.
As far as layer heights go the defaults in Flashprint are fine. For a 0.4mm nozzle size a 0.2mm (0.18mm in Flashprint) layer height is pretty standard and I wouldn’t deviate much from it until you really have a grasp of settings and what they do. Meaning, going to a 0.1mm height adds a whole new set of issues so if you are working with other printing issue then throwing in a thin layer height will mostly aggravate the other problems.
Going to thinner layer heights can show better print results for some models but also significantly increases print times.
First layer height is more something you get a feel for. A thicker first layer height can be useful when the bed isn’t absolutely, perfectly flat whereas a thinner first layer may get you better adhesion.
Again though. If what you are using works then stick with it as you gain experience.
The biggest thing I think in 3D printing is to make small changes, one at a time and for a specific reason and already have an expected result in mind.
After a test, do the results match what was expected? If so, good, and if not then why not? Figure out why you didn’t get what you expected. Maybe the change wasn’t the one needed for the result desired.
