Isolator issue

Vertex 3D Printer Vertex - Issues while printing
1

Hello

So, this just happened:
Photo --> click to see photo

I was trying to calibrate my extruder e-steps when suddenly it started making a lot of noise. I saw it came from the extruder and immediately stopped. I found the problem but i’m not sure as to how it happened… As you (hopefully) can see in the picture, there is a big bulge in the filament. I’m 100% certain that the buldge isn’t from the filament spool itself (as i was calibrating the extruder e-steps, I saw every milimeter of filament being extruded) so it must have happened somewhere inside the printer… I’d also like to add that I just installed a new isolator guide because I had problems with the first one.

Any ideas as to how to solve this? Or even how it could have happened?

2

Sorry there is no photo.

3

If you click on ‘Photo’ there is :slight_smile:

4

Sorry about that.

It looks like your temp is way to hot and the heat is traveling up the isolator guide and melting the filament.

190C for PLA 220C for ABS.
If you are using these temps check the thermistor for proper placement.

5

No problem :slight_smile: I calibrated at 200, but I’ll try at 190 next time. Do you have any idea how I can get it out without breaking something? I can’t pull it out or push it through, I also tried to heat the printhead to 215 for a second, I hoped the extra heat would help just a tiny bit.

6

I think you have to get the nozzle from the isolator guide to pull the PTFE tube out. Disassemble the isolator from the printhead and try to get the nozzle off. If it won’t come off (breaking the filament inside) you have to try to heat the nozzle for instance with a soldering iron so the filament becomes soft. When the nozzle is off I think you can pull the tube out of the isolator. You only have to cut a new piece of PTFE.

You mirrored the extruder mount plate? The mark II has to be left, but probably it doesn’t matter for functioning.

I once got a block because the isolator guide wasn’t exactly centered beneath the tube fitting and if so the filament gets friction.

Good luck

7

I have used a heat gun.
Remove the isolator and nozzle.
Heat the nozzle end and carefully remove it the heat the isolator and try to push it out.
Do not over heat it just enough to soften the filament.

8

I don’t have a heat gun, would a hair dryer on maximum heat work? Or would i be better off putting it in the oven and taking it out?

9

I don’t think I would use the oven at all.
You could try the hair dryer.

10

I should have also mentioned to change the settings in Cura.
Retraction 4mm
Retraction Speed 120mm

11

I’ll try the hair dryer then. Right now I have rectraction set to 4mm and 110 mm/s

12

I used a hairdryer and a small screwdriver and was able to seperate the nozzle from the isolator and the ptfe-tube from the isolator. The inside of the isolator is a little bit banged up, can i still use it? (I can still snugly fit a ptfe-tube in it)

13

If it were me I would try.
If it works then great.
If not you will need to replace it.