Dual Extruders, but 1 not working?

Snapmaker 2.0 (3-in-1)
1

I have been printing a lot with the Dual Extruder, using both nozzles. Recently, the LEFT nozzle stopped printing. I assumed it was because the nozzle was clogged.

However, after testing, I think it is something else.

I put a brand new nozzle in and it still wouldn’t pull the filament through.

I took the brand new nozzle and put it in the RIGHT extruder, and it worked fine!

I took the nozzle I THOUGHT was clogged and put it in the RIGHT extruder and it worked fine – not clogged.

After switching nozzles a few times, I can confidently say it isn’t the nozzle that is the problem.

When I try to LOAD the filament, it make the same noise as if the gears are pulling the filament through, but it isn’t. The filament is not getting pulled through.

So, there is something blocking the gears or the gears aren’t working – but how do I get in there to see if something is stuck? Can I replace a part that is broken? AM I going to have to buy a whole new dual extruder head?

2

I have an Original, not a 2.0. But I’ve had a couple of different issues that caused filament feed problems, and fixing them didn’t always resolve the issue. A few times the feeder gear ground up the filament, and the gear was so full of filament dust that it couldn’t grip the filament anymore. Usually a shot of compressed air is enough to clean it out (and make a big mess).

I’ve had to open the print head so many times, I just leave the side plate off, and the cooling fan loose. If it’s a filament dust issue, you’ll see dust inside the head.

Things that have caused me feeding problems:

  • Filament binding harder than the gear can pull
  • Filament twisted on the spool
  • Printing a composite PLA with a layer smaller than 0.2mm
  • Print head too close to the build plate (calibration)
  • Print temp too low
  • Clogged head
3

Move head to mid of print bed, heat up the left nozzle, open the extruder door, open the left hotend buckle. Press the filament manually into the extruder.

Is it smelting and coming out of the nozzle? Then close the buckle and try to extrude with software.

If manual feeding works but not automatic, i would reset whole machine once and try again. If it is still failing after on, your Gears or feeding motor has some problem. You shall get in contact with Support@snapmaker.com then.

1 Like