Hi all just got got my self the CTC dual printer and it was working great after some tinkering to get the bed level etc. Was beginning to print the upgraded parts and for some reason it started clicking on extrusion. I’ve checked the motor and feed block all clear and works with no hot end connected. My issues appears to be that it isn’t getting hot enough to extrude the plastic properly. Has any one had similar issues and is there a way to test the heater and thermistor to see if they are causing the issues. I’ve check for clogs and blockages but the nozzle is clear. It very hard to push the plastic through and it’s coiling at the nozzle not dropping as it was before. It does this on printing and loading filament. The printer says it’s at 230 degrees (abs filament) but it barely seems to melt the plastic so I’m guessing it’s miss reads from the thermistors on the blocks.
Mine was a fualty thermocoupler I replace one about every 3 months
It does sound like the nozzle is still a little clogged. Try hearing to a higher temp and see if you can push the filament through any easier.
Another issue the ctc is sometimes is the screws that hold the fan, heat sink and motor together can squash the heat sink against the knurled end of the motor shaft as they hole isn’t 100% aligned. Try backinnoff the screws a little or putting a small washer in between the extruder feeder and heatsink.
Hey Matthew,
I would suggest three things:
#1 - Tigthen/Untighten the screws on the Extruder Motor. Generally, there are two of these screws used on Extruder fan. If too tight, these screws can prevent the filament from being pulled by the Extruder Motor. Grab a hex key and start the Load Filament function and tighten/untighten as it pulls.
#2 - Grab an Infrared Thermometer to test and measure the Extruder temperature like https://www.amazon.com/Etekcity-Lasergrip-1080-Non-contact-Thermometer/dp/B00DMI632G/ref=as\_sl\_pc\_tf\_til?tag=uniqusoftwdev-20&linkCode=w00&linkId=b6160f4df835b0227fc1f97c145f7dc5&creativeASIN=B00DMI632G.
#3 - Replace the Thermocoupler, these can go out fairly frequently.
thanks for the responses i upgraded to a spring loaded feeder and replace my thermo couples and working ok now. Well i say ok i have a new issue that is making prints lean to the left as they print if i use anything lower than 0.3mm layer. not sure why as its the z screw that does the layer heaight. Tried changin driver and stepper for my y axis and tightning belt but still same. keep tinkering i guess
