|
The 3D printer was producing only cobwebs and it looked like the muzzle was not muzzling enough molten plastic anymore. So I got myself a new muzzle and installed it. Now the printer is like new.
The only complication: I had to heat the printer up to operating temperature (= 240 C) to remove the muzzle and install the new one, preferrably without burning myself too much. It went well, even with having to insert the new muzzle by hand before it heating up too much.
Maybe I can even save the old muzzle and reuse it next time. I know that ABS could be cleaned with acetone. Unfortunately it's slightly baked PLA that's closing up the muzzle. Does the chemistry set have anything to solve away that?
I have lived with several Zen masters - all of them were cats.
His last invention was an evil Lasagna. It didn't kill anyone, and it actually tasted pretty good.
|
|
|
|
|
CodeWraith wrote: Does the chemistry set have anything to solve away that?
Wikipedia says Quote: PLA is soluble in chlorinated solvents, hot benzene, tetrahydrofuran, and dioxane.
which all sound rather nasty.
Cheers,
Peter
Software rusts. Simon Stephenson, ca 1994. So does this signature. me, 2012
|
|
|
|
|
Peter_in_2780 wrote: all sound rather nasty.
You're not kidding!
Benzene is carcinogenic, and can destroy your bone marrow, leading to anemia (I remember this from Chemistry lessons, over 40 years ago: it was firmly impressed into us that you don't touch it outside a fume cupboard).
Wikipedia doesn't like dioxane either: This compound is irritating to the eyes and respiratory tract. Exposure may cause damage to the central nervous system, liver and kidneys.
Me? I'd probably just buy a new one...
Sent from my Amstrad PC 1640
Bad command or file name. Bad, bad command! Sit! Stay! Staaaay...
AntiTwitter: @DalekDave is now a follower!
|
|
|
|
|
It's definitely not worth it:
Düse 0.4 mm Passend für: renkforce RF100[^]
I have lived with several Zen masters - all of them were cats.
His last invention was an evil Lasagna. It didn't kill anyone, and it actually tasted pretty good.
|
|
|
|
|
It's brass! Have you considered looking for a set of carburetor jet drills? They will start at 0.3mm and generally go up in 0.05mm increments. In the long term, it could be considerably cheaper to rework them...
Sent from my Amstrad PC 1640
Bad command or file name. Bad, bad command! Sit! Stay! Staaaay...
AntiTwitter: @DalekDave is now a follower!
|
|
|
|
|
Why not try? Still, an ounce of prevention is even better than a pound of cure. I hope to find out why the plastic in the tube did not melt and flow out as intended and instead built up that way.
I have lived with several Zen masters - all of them were cats.
His last invention was an evil Lasagna. It didn't kill anyone, and it actually tasted pretty good.
|
|
|
|
|
Most probably it was an impurity in the plastic filament, like a shard of metal during the original extrusion.
GCS d-- s-/++ a- C++++ U+++ P- L+@ E-- W++ N+ o+ K- w+++ O? M-- V? PS+ PE- Y+ PGP t+ 5? X R+++ tv-- b+(+++) DI+++ D++ G e++ h--- ++>+++ y+++* Weapons extension: ma- k++ F+2 X
|
|
|
|
|
Then I can't do very much about it and must simply clean it once in a while. Proper maintainance before it becomes a problem.
Here we have someone else with the very same problem and solution. Even worse, this one had a second block that required taking the entire head apart. Unfortunately no hints to the causes.
Verstopfte Düse[^] (sorry, but obviously there is no English version)
I have lived with several Zen masters - all of them were cats.
His last invention was an evil Lasagna. It didn't kill anyone, and it actually tasted pretty good.
|
|
|
|
|
OriginalGriff wrote: I'd probably just buy a new one...
No risk, no fun !
|
|
|
|
|
Cancer, anemia, and central nervous system damage? Your idea of fun differs from mine! 
Sent from my Amstrad PC 1640
Bad command or file name. Bad, bad command! Sit! Stay! Staaaay...
AntiTwitter: @DalekDave is now a follower!
|
|
|
|
|
This tetrahydrofuran is used to 'weld' plastic foils together, but all three seem to be nasty enough. So nasty that it it's not worth saving eight bucks for a new part if the old muzzle can't be saved.
I have lived with several Zen masters - all of them were cats.
His last invention was an evil Lasagna. It didn't kill anyone, and it actually tasted pretty good.
|
|
|
|
|
|
I tried most of these things after I finally understood what was happening, but it was too late. It also turned out that by its construction the printing head could not get that dirty as shown in the picture. Instead, a thin tube inside was also closed up. Normally the flow of the molten filament should always push everything out, but somehow it clogged up anyway. I removed everything and for now it seems to be ok. If not, I will have to get a new tube as well. Maybe pulling this tube out of the muzzle already removed the plastic that blocked the muzzle as well, but I have not yet looked at it any further.
I have lived with several Zen masters - all of them were cats.
His last invention was an evil Lasagna. It didn't kill anyone, and it actually tasted pretty good.
|
|
|
|
|
silly thought but couldn't the first thing you print be another (i.e. the next) muzzle.
few more years and they should be able to build completely self replicating 3d printers
|
|
|
|
|
First problem: How should I print a new muzzle (or anything else) as long as the old one is still blocked? If it's not blocked, I don't need a new one.
Second problem: The printing head operates at more than 200 C. It's a metal block with holes and threads to install stuff like heating elements, sensors, the mechanism that feeds the filament or the muzzle. The filament is melted inside and pushed out the muzzle. What do you think will happen when I install a printed plastic muzzle into that hot metal block?
I have lived with several Zen masters - all of them were cats.
His last invention was an evil Lasagna. It didn't kill anyone, and it actually tasted pretty good.
|
|
|
|
|
He meant now. Now you have the new muzzle fitted why not print a new one so you are prepared for next time.
|
|
|
|
|
Because the new muzzle would be made from plastic (instead of metal) that melts at the operating temperature at which this muzzle is intended to be used?
I have lived with several Zen masters - all of them were cats.
His last invention was an evil Lasagna. It didn't kill anyone, and it actually tasted pretty good.
|
|
|
|
|
I don't know about the baked version, but Dichlorometane is the solvent of choice for unbaked PLA. Chloroform should work as well.
PLA is soluble in Acetone but that would take quite some time.
|
|
|
|
|
Could you use a drill bit?
Everyone has a photographic memory; some just don't have film. Steven Wright
|
|
|
|
|
Perhaps, but 0,4 mm is not very much. Also, this is a key part to the quality of the prints. Damage the opening and you may get some very strange effects, like the extruded plastic cooling too quickly and not sticking to the printed object. Drilling really is the last resort before throwing it away.
I have lived with several Zen masters - all of them were cats.
His last invention was an evil Lasagna. It didn't kill anyone, and it actually tasted pretty good.
|
|
|
|
|
0.4mm drill bits[^]
Perhaps but it's no good the way it is and chemicals to clean it are prohibitive so I think it would be worth a shot. You might have to make some kind of jig to make sure it drills straight, etc..
Everyone has a photographic memory; some just don't have film. Steven Wright
|
|
|
|
|
How about this?[^]
I have lived with several Zen masters - all of them were cats.
His last invention was an evil Lasagna. It didn't kill anyone, and it actually tasted pretty good.
|
|
|
|
|
Yep, and make a jig to hold the nozzle straight and you got it made!
Everyone has a photographic memory; some just don't have film. Steven Wright
|
|
|
|
|
Quote: The jig (Irish: port) is a form of lively folk dance in compound metre, as well as the accompanying dance tune.
How exactly will that help? 
I have lived with several Zen masters - all of them were cats.
His last invention was an evil Lasagna. It didn't kill anyone, and it actually tasted pretty good.
|
|
|
|
|
Be hard to hold it steady, ist hat what you're saying?
Everyone has a photographic memory; some just don't have film. Steven Wright
|
|
|
|
General 
News 
Suggestion 
Question 
Bug 
Answer 
Joke 
Praise 
Rant 
Admin 
Submit an article or tip
