Cracks/under extrusion in layers
I have the vcore 3.1 400x400.
Rapido HF hot end.
Using SuperSlicer with "default" settings for ratrig and PLA. It prints at 100mms.
I have and use a filament dryer, which also acts as my spool holder.
Orbiter 2.0 extruder.
Some things I have tried/adjusted/noticed:
1. When feeding filament into my PTFE tube, sometimes it seems to feel stuck before it even makes it to the extruder.
2. I have tried different brands
3. I dont have or notice any of these issues with ASA.
4. Adjusting the tension on the extruder does affect it.
5. I have tried many different temperatures.
On my much cheaper/smaller printer Anycubic Kobra, I print PLA at 195 like a champ.
Printing at 248(like in the picture attached), the cracks seem to happen less, but still happen.
6. I moved the print head to center, and then told the extruder to feed filament at 7mms, and increased the temps until it stopped missing steps and extruded it cleanly. This is how I arrived at 248.
7. I checked my PTFE tube, and it really doesnt seem to be pinched or kinked, or really have too hard of angles. If I try and feed filament the opposite direction on the tube, I dont feel it get blocked at all.
So, I wonder if the length of the ptfe somehow can cause friction to build up and create a sorta choke point?
Is there any sorta way I could lube the tube?
I am using the Blue PTFE from creality, as it seemed like it was supposed to be top notch.
I do not think my nozzle is clogged, as I said ASA prints just fine.
I feel like 248 is already too hot for PLA, at least at just 100mms.
Any ideas or advice would be great. Thanks!
![No description](https://cdn.answeroverflow.com/1126653398553477162/PXL_20230706_193835661.jpg)
![No description](https://cdn.answeroverflow.com/1126653398817710201/PXL_20230706_193831397.jpg)
6 Replies
So. I have played with the PTFE tube a bit while manually extruding. And while it doesn't appear pinched anywhere, it 100% seems to be the issue.
If I hold it standing straight up in an arch, it moves much smoother. However, it always wants to lay down to the side.
Should I make a drag chain or something? I think I remember seeing/reading where they suggest not using a drag chain?
This is the reverse Bowden setup? If so you want PTFE tubing that is fairly big on the inside (no need for it to be tight since it is just guiding the filament to the extruder). I use 4mm OD with 3mm ID
I am not sure what is a reverse bowden? Its just a long ptfe tube fed directly into my extruder. On the other end is my filament dryer which is also my spool holder. The extruder Direct drive.
yup, that's called a reverse bowden setup
4mm OD tube wouldn't fit into the extruder? I do eventually want to build a ERCF for it. So I want something that will work for that.
4mm OD is what typical PTFE tube is. You are probably thinking of the ID