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So I recently installed a genuine E3D V6 (direct) on my AM8 (Anet a8 with upgraded frame). I have already been able to fix most of the print quality problems. But the last one is a hard one for me.

It prints super fine up until a certain height. Then the extruder starts slipping and starts making weird noises like its clogged but I will be able to push through filament properly after cancelling the print. I thought it was heat creep but when touching the spiral heat break it is just a tad warm. I can comfortably put my finger on it and keep it there.

I also tried two different brands of filament and it seems to happen roughly at the same spot.

I tried PID tuning (the temps are literally perfect and super straight with no fluctuations), I tried cleaning the extruder gear and checked if it was worn or anything. Then I tightened everything on the extruder, making sure everything was nice and snug.

I am not exactly a newbie when it comes to fixing my own printer and troubleshooting the problems but this one I have never seen or had before.

Do you guys have any tips for me to point me in the right direction?

Running Marlin 1.1.8. I have a BLTouch on it and an AnyCubic UltraBase.

Greenonline
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Granny
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2 Answers2

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I used a different heat break with a PFTE lining inside. After that it ran smoothly.

Probably what was happening was that my filament was getting too hot and started to stick on the full metal heat break.

0scar
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Granny
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I have had some similar problems as you describe with my custom build CoreXY printer. I used an all-metal heat break for my 2.85 mm diameter filament. The heat break clogged up. I found that the inner diameter of the heatbreak, although specifically designed for 3 mm filament, narrowed down having a ledge inside. I replaced the heat break with a spare with a teflon tube inside, and never had any problems again.

Since then I scoured the internet to find some proper all metal heat breaks and order a few that do not seem to have that deficiency. I have not tried these (while hot, but when cold the filament also moves better through it and does not get stuck on a ledge like the first one), but will when I print POM and ColorFabb PA-CF Low Warp with my soon to arrive Olsson Ruby nozzle.

0scar
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