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  1. #1

    Skipping layers?

    Hey all! I have been printing on the CTC for a bit now, really love it, the print quality is great once you dial it in, but I have been having a strange issue on mostly taller prints, it seems that it 'skips' a layer every now and again, any ideas on what may cause that? I have tried slowing it down, but have seen this behavior as low as 30mm/s, have messed with temp settings and no luck either. Most of what I've read is it could be a filament tangle, speed, temperature, or z axis related, any thoughts? (the small jittery layers is what i mean)
    IMG_5379.jpg

  2. #2
    Technician
    Join Date
    Dec 2015
    Posts
    80
    It's not skipping, that is due to shrinkage due to parts cooling faster than others I believe.

  3. #3
    No it's definitely skipping, I've watched it on those layers and it's like it's not putting them down, I can't decide if it's the z axis having an issue or if it's not extruding well in those areas though.

  4. #4
    Quote Originally Posted by vtswordfish View Post
    No it's definitely skipping, I've watched it on those layers and it's like it's not putting them down, I can't decide if it's the z axis having an issue or if it's not extruding well in those areas though.
    Have you checked the filament-extruder drive-Gear,
    to see if it needs cleaning ?
    (teeth of gear can get filled with plastic,
    causing filament not to feed properly)

    I use an Xacto-knife and small wire-brush to clean it.

    Here's a video about how to do that:
    (CTC is similar to FF, your extruder may not have the Arm type assembly)
    http://www.bing.com/videos/search?q=...390&FORM=VIRE7

    Note: we upgraded to the spring-loaded Arm type,
    since it seems a little more reliable,
    even though it is a little more difficult to assemble
    Last edited by EagleSeven; 01-12-2016 at 08:34 AM.

  5. #5
    Just checked the gear on the extruder, seemed to be fine/clean. Did some other checks on it and still am kind of at a loss on it. I thought about upgrading to the spring loaded extruder block, which one did you use for yours?

    Also it has randomly started randomly showing a bunch of jumbled mess on the LCD screen, not sure what's causing it, bad sailfish flash maybe? Its weird because I've printed on it probably a couple hundred hours now and it just started that!

  6. #6
    Quote Originally Posted by vtswordfish View Post
    Just checked the gear on the extruder, seemed to be fine/clean. Did some other checks on it and still am kind of at a loss on it. I thought about upgrading to the spring loaded extruder block, which one did you use for yours?

    Also it has randomly started randomly showing a bunch of jumbled mess on the LCD screen, not sure what's causing it, bad sailfish flash maybe? Its weird because I've printed on it probably a couple hundred hours now and it just started that!
    I found a Set of Arm type extruders on eBay, at low cost,
    from a place in UK.
    I can look for details of that order if you need them ?

    Spikes on AC power line to printer can cause the display jumble problem.
    Can be caused by an AC type Fan or other device with motors.
    Moving power-cords, going to printer's power-supply or to other devices, away from printer Mobo, can help also.
    Last edited by EagleSeven; 01-12-2016 at 02:49 PM.

  7. #7

  8. #8
    I went ahead and grabbed one of the arm extruders off the bay, hopefully that'll help with feeding (which I suspect may partially be the issue). I went ahead and cleaned everything out while I had it apart earlier, going to do some oiling of the bars and all that and will give it a go tomorrow sometime!

  9. #9
    Quote Originally Posted by bigo93 View Post
    Yes, if you print them you still have to locate the correct springs, bearings, screws and bushings,
    which seemed difficult when I tried to find them, mainly the proper type spring.

    But if one ever gets damaged or broken I will certainly try printing a new one !
    Last edited by EagleSeven; 01-13-2016 at 08:08 AM.

  10. #10
    Yes, I think putting a drop of oil on bars, often, really helps,
    as long as you clean away the dust that collects at ends of bars, in the oil.

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