Geetech extruder problem
Posted by mk22000
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Geetech extruder problem February 18, 2017 08:47AM |
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Re: Geetech extruder problem February 18, 2017 09:11AM |
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Re: Geetech extruder problem February 18, 2017 10:22AM |
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Re: Geetech extruder problem February 19, 2017 09:22AM |
Google mk8 extruder and geeetech forums and prepare for a spike in blood pressure and feelings of regret.
I bought my geeetech printer around xmas after falling for the "decent cheap printer requiring minor tweeks" posts. Boy do i feel stupid now. The assembly was a bad experience for me, bent rod, oversized rods, seller stringing me along with promise to replace but nothing ever showing up. Out of square laser cutting.
About 6 weeks later i had all the parts i need to complete my printer and finally got to printing. Unfortunately i suffered intermittent and underextrusion problems. I tried almost everything that was suggested until I had another google and discovered the problem.
The Mk8 plastic extruder head. Almost every second post in their forums are posts about extrusion issues. Seems they used the cheapest crappiest extruder head in the entire world. I read that the spring was weak causing poor tension, so i managed to print out some shimmies to stick under there as suggested by some members to increase tension. However in my case I noticed right away that the spring was really heavy duty! While disassembling mine i found the part which holds the idler wheel in place was cracked in half, hidden against the stepper motor. I guess in my case theyd actually changed to tougher springs as a quick fix which had busted the plastic part instead. I was able to shave a mm or less from the plastic ridge at the bottom which sets the filament gap, allowing more pressure which mostly counteracts the movement i get from the crack. I also lubricate the filament with olive oil which helps prevent the clogging i was getting which may or may not be caused by the cracked extruder head. Its not perfect but ive been able to print while i wait for a new aluminium one to arrive in the mail.
TL
R version
Check the spring tension of the tension arm, if its weak add a shimmie under the spring to improve tension. If it has a heavy duty spring, check for cracks, which may not be visible until unscrewed from the stepper motor.
Consider removing a sliver of plastic from that lower stop if the teeth cant grab the filament enough.
Definitely consider replacing the extrusion head all together.
Some additional notes, use locktite or nailpolish on your screws and use the excessive washers even if they dont say to in the instructions. Put an insulator between the hotbed and the acrylic bed it attaches to( providing that model is acrylic) or the acrylic starts to deform letting the screws undo and print bed become sloppy and print poor. Corrugated cardboard from the kit worked fine for me.
Hope this helps! Cant wait to get the new extruder head. So much work in this printer, I expect the electronics to become toast next.
I bought my geeetech printer around xmas after falling for the "decent cheap printer requiring minor tweeks" posts. Boy do i feel stupid now. The assembly was a bad experience for me, bent rod, oversized rods, seller stringing me along with promise to replace but nothing ever showing up. Out of square laser cutting.
About 6 weeks later i had all the parts i need to complete my printer and finally got to printing. Unfortunately i suffered intermittent and underextrusion problems. I tried almost everything that was suggested until I had another google and discovered the problem.
The Mk8 plastic extruder head. Almost every second post in their forums are posts about extrusion issues. Seems they used the cheapest crappiest extruder head in the entire world. I read that the spring was weak causing poor tension, so i managed to print out some shimmies to stick under there as suggested by some members to increase tension. However in my case I noticed right away that the spring was really heavy duty! While disassembling mine i found the part which holds the idler wheel in place was cracked in half, hidden against the stepper motor. I guess in my case theyd actually changed to tougher springs as a quick fix which had busted the plastic part instead. I was able to shave a mm or less from the plastic ridge at the bottom which sets the filament gap, allowing more pressure which mostly counteracts the movement i get from the crack. I also lubricate the filament with olive oil which helps prevent the clogging i was getting which may or may not be caused by the cracked extruder head. Its not perfect but ive been able to print while i wait for a new aluminium one to arrive in the mail.
TL
R versionCheck the spring tension of the tension arm, if its weak add a shimmie under the spring to improve tension. If it has a heavy duty spring, check for cracks, which may not be visible until unscrewed from the stepper motor.
Consider removing a sliver of plastic from that lower stop if the teeth cant grab the filament enough.
Definitely consider replacing the extrusion head all together.
Some additional notes, use locktite or nailpolish on your screws and use the excessive washers even if they dont say to in the instructions. Put an insulator between the hotbed and the acrylic bed it attaches to( providing that model is acrylic) or the acrylic starts to deform letting the screws undo and print bed become sloppy and print poor. Corrugated cardboard from the kit worked fine for me.
Hope this helps! Cant wait to get the new extruder head. So much work in this printer, I expect the electronics to become toast next.
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Re: Geetech extruder problem April 05, 2017 08:23PM |
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