[solved] Filament gets stuck very often

Hello,

My filament very often gets stuck in the brass extruder or nozzle and I cannot remove it or extrude anymore when this happens.
The only solution I found in this case is to unscrew the nozzle and remove the filament manually. Usually I see a big lump which was probably blocking it. This is quite a long process.

Is there a reason why the filament forms a lump and/or gets stuck? Is there an easier way to remove it when this happens?
I am using a RepRapPro prusa Mendel and use Faberdashery filament.

Many thanks,

Arthur

PS: picture of extruder below.



Edited 3 time(s). Last edit at 12/10/2012 08:56PM by arthurmani.

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Arthur Mamou-Mani
Architect, AAdipl, RIBA III
Tutor DS10 Westminster University
Mamou-Mani.com ¦ WeWantToLearn.net

You need to change to a J-head hotend, see www.hotends.com for purchase.

If you already have a J-head, then you might have a bad clone (seen two of those floating on the forums the past two weeks, one from ebay and one from reprap.me)

Actually, I was going to ask if you had a jhead, because this is a known problem when printing PLA with one. If that is the case, you need to disrupt the convection on the outside of the extruder with a small fan. It doesn't have to be large or fast, just enough to disrupt the convection. This need for a fan is well-documented, although the reason for it is not.

Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 12/10/2012 11:49AM by jbernardis.

your hot zone is too short. ptfe tubing should extend down to the hot end before the cooling block. also ensure your ptfe is not sliding up. this design is pretty innovative. i like it.

Thanks a lot Jamesdanielv. Can you please explain this a bit more: "ptfe tubing should extend down to the hot end before the cooling block". The hot zone is too short> does that mean I need to buy a bigger hot zone? Ptfe tubing cannot extend down because there is a brass screw...
Many thanks,
A

Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 12/10/2012 12:10PM by arthurmani.

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Arthur Mamou-Mani
Architect, AAdipl, RIBA III
Tutor DS10 Westminster University
Mamou-Mani.com ¦ WeWantToLearn.net

Emaker from the IRC forum helped a lot: I don't have the 10mm long 3mm diameter PTFE liner inside the extruder.

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Arthur Mamou-Mani
Architect, AAdipl, RIBA III
Tutor DS10 Westminster University
Mamou-Mani.com ¦ WeWantToLearn.net

arthurmani, can you mark this thread as solved, that is, if you feel it is? thanks.

jamesdanielv, sorry how can i do that? I have looked around but can't find the button...

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Arthur Mamou-Mani
Architect, AAdipl, RIBA III
Tutor DS10 Westminster University
Mamou-Mani.com ¦ WeWantToLearn.net

just edit post, and change the title heading to ad this [solved]