Uneven & Inconsistent Filament Extrusion

[tfindley]

I am having an issue with PLA filament extrusion -- filament comes out uneven and jagged and eventually stops extruding even though the feeding gear keeps moving. We have been able to print a few very small items, but the issue has now exacerbated to the point that not even a calibration square will print. I have tried the 'simple unclog method' under printer operations (will not retract and I have to pull it out to get it to retract) and opening up the filament drive to check for obstructions (none that I can see). Raising the temperature does not seem to help (although I haven't raised it too much for fear of messing up the hotend -- that's happened a few times and we've had to replace it). It seems like the drive is experiencing a lot of resistance -- filament runs through OK when it firsts starts pulling, but shortly after (especially once the filament cover tube hits the entrance to the drive) it stops extruding. I can get it to extrude normally by pushing the filament through, but obviously this is not a practical solution.

Issues began about a month ago when I replaced a spool of filament. Have since tried multiple rolls with no improvement.

I'm new to the Makergear M2, so any suggestions/ideas/information would be very helpful! Thank you!

[jsc]

Your tension might be off (see viewtopic.php?f=8&t=2778 point 5), or you may have a clog. You don't say what's involved in the simple unclog method. If it's a light clog, you can try sticking a thin wire (e.g., a guitar string) up the nozzle while it's hot, or ramming the small allen wrench down the top. If it's more serious, you will have to disassemble the hot end to take apart the barrel and nozzle, then torch them or give them a long soak in solvent. For PLA, paint stripper with MEK works.

[tfindley]

Thank you for your quick reply! I copied the protocol for a simple unclog below. I will try these and let you know how it works!

"The simple unclog method is to first heat your hotend up to your normal operating temperature, Extrude 20mm of filament, and then let it cool down to room temperature. Then send the manual Gcode command "M302" in the communication area of your control program. After sending that, heat the hotend up to 10°C (or 30°C for the V3B hotend with red heater wires) higher than the glass transition temperature of your filament (glass transition is 60°C for PLA, 100°C for ABS - so 70°C and 110°C for a V3A hotend, and 90°C and 130°C for V3B). Once the hotend reaches that temperature, Retract several hundred mm of filament. If done correctly, this will remove all filament from the hotend barrel and even nozzle orifice, taking any possible debris with it."

[Pekish79]

sometimes i have uneven extrusion with low quality filament or unlucky batch

does it make it with all ur filament or just one?

[tfindley]

It was bad between different roles of filament. I just replaced the extruder and it is working well now, meaning it was likely a clog. I plan to try the above recommended paint thinner to unclog the original nozzle.