Left extruder now prints to right. Nothing prints to left.

I have been using my printer (Flashforge, Creator Pro, Dual Head) occasionally since I bought it in May. In the last few weeks I have been using it more.
Yesterday, when I started trying to print something with the left extruder, it would only print from the right extruder. I don't believe I changed anything in the settings. I have repeatedly tried to print other things, specifying the left extruder, but they all start printing to the left.

I know I could load the filament to the right extruder to resolve this, but I also recently had right extruder issues where the filament does not print well on the right extruder. Which is a separate issue, but also very annoying. The extrusion speed on the right appears to be slower than the left. I have checked the feeder wheels are clean and all appears ok.

Any suggestions on why it would stop printing from the left head?

Thanks

BigKiwi

Probably a clogged nozzle.
The hole the heated filament comes out of is very small.

Remove the nozzle and verify that the feed motor is working and that it pulls the filament as expected.

Next check the filament to make sure it's not swollen or has a kink in it.
If it's been sitting exposed to atmosphere for a while it might hav absorbed too much moisture. Dry or replace.

Make sure the filament can move freely all the way to the head.

If all that is ok, time to remove the nozzle and clean it thoroughly.

These are all WAG's. Someone who knows what they're talking about should be along shortly.

Hi Ward,
Thanks for the reply, and in regard to the right extruder playing up, you are right. I have cleaned it out and got it going again.

But I have yet to resolve why the Makerbot software is ignoring my "command" to use the left extruder. Even when I specify left, it prints right.

Thanks again.

Are you sure you have the correct "Machine" setting ?

You might try looking at the GCode and see if the commands to use the left nozzle are there.
Post the GCode if you like.

T0 typically refers to the right extruder (in a dual extruder FF machine) and T1 typically refers to the Left extruder.

Also, I would try creating a test file with another software, maybe ReplicatorG to see if it's the Makerbot software or the machine itself.

Remove each extruder and swap them. That should resolve the right printing on the left issue.

I assume form your post that you are using Makerware? Here are a few pointers:

- you need to set the 'object' to left extruder.
- You need to select the correct printer profile i.e. dual or single.

The printer will not switch to a different nozzle due to a clog so don't even go that route. Its 99% perent chance that its one of the above. You also don't say if you have used the left extruder before.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Sebastian Finke

The printer will not switch to a different nozzle due to a clog so don't even go that route.

---

This makes sense. I didn't. Can I blame it on too many beers with dinner that night ?

Hi,
Thanks for your comments. To fill in the gaps, I have set the objects to the left extruder. I have selected the correct machine with dual extruder.
I have used both extruders in the past, about the equal amount.
I am using the Makerbot package to prepare the .x3g files from the stl files.

Also, regarding Ward's comment, I checked the code and it is registering '1' as the extruder when I pick the left one and '0' when I choose the right extruder.

I don't know if this next part is a new problem or an addition to the previous problem, but when I start prints now, while it should be printing the raft, it extrudes little to no filament. But if I cancel the print and immediately go to load filament, then it will extrude filament without issue, so it is not blocked.

In a couple of prints where the raft has been very poor, once it gets past the first three layers, then it prints really well. But still right extruder only.

I look forward to any additional thoughts and comments.

BigKiwi

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Sebastian Finke

I assume form your post that you are using Makerware? Here are a few pointers:

- you need to set the 'object' to left extruder.
- You need to select the correct printer profile i.e. dual or single.

The printer will not switch to a different nozzle due to a clog so don't even go that route. Its 99% perent chance that its one of the above. You also don't say if you have used the left extruder before.

---

Hi Marm
How would swapping extruders solve the problem? By extruder, do you mean the nozzle, the heating block and all, the filament? I would appreciate a bit more detail on what you are proposing.

Thanks

If the left one isnt working... remove both extruders, put the left one in the right slot, and the right one in the left slot. Now the Left one works. Dunno bout the other.


(it's a joke)

Sorry, missed the joke.

Both extruders work during loading. I think the issue is with the software. I went back to something I printed a few weeks back and it printed it perfectly. Had a good raft, and there were no issues. Then I reloaded the same stl file in Makerbot, set it to print on the right extruder and it wouldn't print the raft. So I suspect that something in the Makerbot settings is mucked up.

I also tried printing something that I did weeks ago on the left extruder and it also printed to the left extruder as expected, and it printed the raft properly.

Does anyone have a full list of their preferred settings for Makerbot, printing pla that I could use to double check my custom values on my makerbot? Hopefully I can find which value/s are screwed up and causing the issues. Alternately, please look at the attached picture which consists of multiple screen shots of the custom settings I am using. I don't know if it is readable, as now I have uploaded it, it is very small, but l'll see how it goes. I could email to anyone who can't read it and doesn't mind taking a look.
Attachment 7941

This would be really helpful and appreciated.

BIGKIWI, I think you answered your own question.

If you went back to something you printed earlier and it worked fine, then whatever you're using to create your files is doing something wrong.

Can you attach the file that is printing incorrectly AND correctly?

I would really like to look at the headers and extruder selection GCodes.

Hi Ward
I realise the solution is at hand but not sure how to return to the 'good ol days' of no issues.
Regarding the files, can you please advise on which type of file you would like to see? I have the .x3g files for both options, and the .stl files. But not the .thing files, as I did not save a .thing for the earlier 'good print'.

Now if I send you the .stl, then my understanding is that this is not related to the makerbot until I open it in makerbot. So that is not the right file, correct? If I send you the .x3g file, my understanding is that it is sliced and doesn't have the info you would want to see, correct? And as mentioned I don't have the .thing file for the earlier.

Looking forward to hearing what it is you wish to see.

Regards

Gcode (do you have those?)

What would be especially helpful is to see a GCode file from a working set of files and then the GCode from the one not printing to the left extruder

Hi Ward
Couldn't find the Gcode.
Then I thought 'well if it is in the makerbot software and not the printer....' so I uninstalled the makerware, deleted the temp files, uploaded a new makerware, and the problem appears to be fixed.
First print has gone to the left extruder and the raft has printed.

Thanks all for your suggestions.

BigKiwi