Flashforge Creator Dual / Pro How to fix Dual Extruders dragging across prints.

[FrankV]

This thread is an interesting read but I get slight scraping from either extruder when the other is printing. This suggested a different cause than head and bed levelling. First thing I found was that too much plastic was being extruded - printing a cube with 100% infill delivered a domed top. Having sorted this the problem is less severe but still there. Even the same head will scrape its own layer if it happens to go back over it before the next layer starts. Could it be that I am not setting enough gap between the heads and the platform during levelling, so the plastic is squeezing up around the nozzle? I use a sheet of 80gsm paper, 0.1mm thick, adjusting so the paper just drags but without folding up when pushed. Both nozzles seem to excerpt the same drag once the bed is levelled.

Any suggestions would be appreciated.

In an ideal world, the head should be able to be retracted vertically by a small amount when not in use. Thinking about reducing the heavy head mass by switching to a Bowden cable solution, perhaps I can think of a clever way to incorporate a small up/down mechanism. Even wondering if having a sprung head with 0.5mm restricted travel and using the extruder pressure to force the head down could work - probably create more problems somehow!

[soofle616]

In an ideal world, the head should be able to be retracted vertically by a small amount when not in use. Thinking about reducing the heavy head mass by switching to a Bowden cable solution, perhaps I can think of a clever way to incorporate a small up/down mechanism. Even wondering if having a sprung head with 0.5mm restricted travel and using the extruder pressure to force the head down could work - probably create more problems somehow!

I've been thinking along the same lines recently. Unfortunately, while I have the mechanical and design prowess to come up with a variety of solutions, I don't have the programming knowledge to make any needed changes to the firmware for an active head retraction method. Something passive like your spring retract might work though.

[FrankV]

I've been thinking along the same lines recently. Unfortunately, while I have the mechanical and design prowess to come up with a variety of solutions, I don't have the programming knowledge to make any needed changes to the firmware for an active head retraction method. Something passive like your spring retract might work though.

Maybe between us we can come up with a solution - if time ever allows! A good read here: http://tinyurl.com/prr48wy regarding extruder forces, seem to be in the 1 to 3Kg range.

I have one of the Airtripper extruders for a 3D project I started a while back and hope to finish one day (this is as far as I got: http://tinyurl.com/ouzpgba ) but two house moves and two more to come next year have put that project on hold. I recently bought the FFCP as a stop-gap as needed parts for my main project (http://www.cine2digits.co.uk/). It was for this project I discovered that a thin white ABS layer (0.4 to 0.6) makes for a good diffuser with performance not to dissimilar to expensive, and soon to become extinct, flashed opal glass. The problem of the head(s) dragging across the surface is not tolerable for this application!

[catalyst]

So, I think I'm also having the issue with my Creator Pro dragging. However, I don't even have hex sockets on the screw I think you're referring to (image is dead on page 1).

Are these the two screws I need to adjust? If so, I would have to loosen mine with vice grips I'm guessing.

extruders.jpg

[jfkansas]

So, I think I'm also having the issue with my Creator Pro dragging. However, I don't even have hex sockets on the screw I think you're referring to (image is dead on page 1).

Are these the two screws I need to adjust? If so, I would have to loosen mine with vice grips I'm guessing.

extruders.jpg

Those aren't screws, they are ceramic heating elements. The set screws are in the back. Horrible place for them because you have to take the steppers off to get to them...

[catalyst]

well, that is good to know. Rather than screw with it, I just shimmed the left side and I'll see how that goes. I think the bed is warped anyhow, so I'll need to invest in a glass bed.