Nozzle keeps getting blocked

Having some problems getting started.

I have had a few smaller successsful prints, but the last few have had problems.

Latest problem is my nozzle is getting clogged. This last time it happened on the 3rd layer.

I have linked a pic showing what looks like blotches or blobs of ABS which are getting stuck to the surface and I THINK, what is causing the clogging as it is getting stuck on the nozzle itself.

[dl.dropbox.com]

I suspect this could be a calibration issue, either to low or to high, but if anyone has any suggestions I would greatly appreciate it.

Each time this happens it stops extruding, than I have to take apart my extruder and un-clog the j-head, which is a real pain in the arse!

Thanks!

Looks like you're extruding too much plastic.

Either check the E steps calibration in firmware or If you're sure that is correct tell the slicer your filament is thicker

---

Komb'
Glankonian Protoforms

Komb,

Thanks much for the suggestions!

I am currently at 515.166 for the E steps in Marlin, and my slicer settings have 3mm filament, and 1 for extrusion multiplier.

I am using 3mm ABS.

How would you suggest I go about this? Should I try a 4mm for filament, or perhaps a multiple of .8 or so for the extrusion multiplier, or would you lower the E steps in Marlin?

I am assuming this is trial and error, but I am wondering which you suggest I try first, and by what magnitude?

Thanks!

AVRkire Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> Komb,
>
> Thanks much for the suggestions!
>
> I am currently at 515.166 for the E steps in
> Marlin, and my slicer settings have 3mm filament,
> and 1 for extrusion multiplier.

Hi,

May I ask , How did you decide/get to the E value?

Regards
Jan

IceMan,

Measure and mark a line on your filament either 50 or 100mm above the top of the extruder.
Accuracy counts.

Tell your host software (Pronterface or other) to extrude 50 or 100mm.

If the line goes into the extruder reduce the number of steps, you'll have to guess.

If the line is above the extruder, subtract the remaining distance from original distance.

eg: 20mm of 100mm left above extruder. measured_distance is 80mm

Then use the following formula.

When moving 100mm
New_e_steps = e_steps*100/measured_distance

When moving 50mm
New_e_steps = e_steps*50/measured_distance


555 seems to be a good number for an EckerTech Eckstruder. Other extruders/gears and bolt designs will differ.

AVRkire,

The Filament is never exactly 3mm or 1.75mm and even the best filament has some variance from batch to batch.

You have to make a few measurements along the filament and average it out.

For example my previous Yellow spool was working at 2.87 the new spool from the same factory had to be bummed up to 2.91 as it was over filling at the previous setting.

I usually step by .02 when the thinwall or 20mm cube tests are close.

I should also ask what your nozzle size is, and if you've set that in Slic3r also.

---

Komb'
Glankonian Protoforms

IceMan,

I just realized you asked how did you, not how do you.

Still, the information should be good for somebody reading this later.

---

Komb'
Glankonian Protoforms

Komb' Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> IceMan,
>
> I just realized you asked how did you, not how do
> you.
>
> Still, the information should be good for somebody
> reading this later.

I sure did, was just trying to get AVRkire to trace his steps/find the info you just gave by himself.
Not being rude by any means, but one learn more by digging/analysing than being spoon fed.

AVRkire: The reason I asked was that you mentioned changing filament to 4mm and multiplier by 8. To me that indicates that you may not have understodd fully the calibration process. (Trust me I've been there too, if that's the case and I've still got lots to learn)
As stated in posts above get your e-steps right, the way the calibration is meant to be done.
In your slicer you put the actual value of the filament diameter. Measure your 3mm filament and if it is 2.95 on average then use that value, if it is 3.00 then use that. Do not fake this value as the slicer uses this to calculate.
You should not have to change the e-steps in the firmware again (normally).
There is lot of good info around here posted by people who really know their stuff.

Links to some info info:
[github.com]
[forums.reprap.org]

Regards
Jan

---

======================================
[3dprinting4u.wordpress.com]

IceMan Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> AVRkire Wrote:
> --------------------------------------------------
> -----
> > Komb,
> >
> > Thanks much for the suggestions!
> >
> > I am currently at 515.166 for the E steps in
> > Marlin, and my slicer settings have 3mm
> filament,
> > and 1 for extrusion multiplier.
>
> Hi,
>
> May I ask , How did you decide/get to the E
> value?
>
> Regards
> Jan


Iceman, I got that from the person I bought my kit from, they told me that for my kit that was the right configuration

Komb' Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> IceMan,
>
> Measure and mark a line on your filament either 50
> or 100mm above the top of the extruder.
> Accuracy counts.
>
> Tell your host software (Pronterface or other) to
> extrude 50 or 100mm.
>
> If the line goes into the extruder reduce the
> number of steps, you'll have to guess.
>
> If the line is above the extruder, subtract the
> remaining distance from original distance.
>
> eg: 20mm of 100mm left above extruder.
> measured_distance is 80mm
>
> Then use the following formula.
>
> When moving 100mm
> New_e_steps = e_steps*100/measured_distance
>
> When moving 50mm
> New_e_steps = e_steps*50/measured_distance
>
>
> 555 seems to be a good number for an EckerTech
> Eckstruder. Other extruders/gears and bolt designs
> will differ.
>
> AVRkire,
>
> The Filament is never exactly 3mm or 1.75mm and
> even the best filament has some variance from
> batch to batch.
>
> You have to make a few measurements along the
> filament and average it out.
>
> For example my previous Yellow spool was working
> at 2.87 the new spool from the same factory had to
> be bummed up to 2.91 as it was over filling at the
> previous setting.
>
> I usually step by .02 when the thinwall or 20mm
> cube tests are close.
>
> I should also ask what your nozzle size is, and if
> you've set that in Slic3r also.


For the calibration, makes sense! I will definitely do this, thanks much!

For the filament, wow, never would have realized this, thanks so much for your help!

My nozzle is .4, and yes, I do have this set in slicer as well.

Much appreciated!

IceMan Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> Komb' Wrote:
> --------------------------------------------------
> -----
> > IceMan,
> >
> > I just realized you asked how did you, not how
> do
> > you.
> >
> > Still, the information should be good for
> somebody
> > reading this later.
>
> I sure did, was just trying to get AVRkire to
> trace his steps/find the info you just gave by
> himself.
> Not being rude by any means, but one learn more by
> digging/analysing than being spoon fed.
>
> AVRkire: The reason I asked was that you mentioned
> changing filament to 4mm and multiplier by 8. To
> me that indicates that you may not have understodd
> fully the calibration process. (Trust me I've been
> there too, if that's the case and I've still
> got lots to learn)
> As stated in posts above get your e-steps right,
> the way the calibration is meant to be done.
> In your slicer you put the actual value of the
> filament diameter. Measure your 3mm filament and
> if it is 2.95 on average then use that value, if
> it is 3.00 then use that. Do not fake this value
> as the slicer uses this to calculate.
> You should not have to change the e-steps in the
> firmware again (normally).
> There is lot of good info around here posted by
> people who really know their stuff.
>
> Links to some info info:
> [github.com]
> [forums.reprap.org]
> 2
>
> Regards
> Jan


Got it! Thanks much for the help! Much appreciated!

IceMan Wrote:

> Not being rude by any means, but one learn more by
> digging/analysing than being spoon fed.
>

True,

However, I originally only came here after banging my head against a problem for hours and appreciated it when I got an answer.

A new place to look was appreciated too...

---

Komb'
Glankonian Protoforms