two kinds of extrusion issues :
1. no extrusion (at the start, after a while)
2. underextrusion (contamination, plate-out, obstruction)
3. overextrusion (not actually a problem)
No extrusion happens in three places :
– Upstream (Feeding Issue, Bridging, Empty Screw), sometimes called ‘starvation’
– Downstream (Melting Issue, Compression Issue)
– Nozzle Clog (Foreign Object, Contamination)
With experience, these three types are easily identified. But for those new in using pellet extrusion, follow these steps:
1. Did the material not come out, or hasnt come out YET? Materium takes 2000mm of extrusion to move from feed to nozzle
2. Make sure the pellet chamber is full, screw extrusion only works properly when everything is filled
3. With Both above confirmed, extrude another 1000mm with Materium. Stop trying more if nothing AT ALL comes out. If nozzle drips -> you have Downstream issue
4. Raise temperature by 20-30c and extrude another 1000mm. Nothing comes out? you have blocked nozzle. Take nozzle off and replace it or clean however you can.
5. at this point you have extruded +2000mm
6. empty the pellet chamber, look for backflow ribbons (what are they?). If you find one, that is a blocked nozzle
7. no backflow ribbons? Pellets melt at feed already (upstream issue)
8. If all these work but still no extrusion when printing? you have hopper issue-> bridging in the path (see : bridging)
Contamination
“If clogs appear after changing color or adding powder, see: Additives (Powders)”