3D printers can produce amazing results when they work properly. However, some hitches are bound to happen as you experiment with the printer. These troubleshooting tips for your dual extruder can help you solve those small inconsistencies.
Stopping the Oozing
A dual extrusion printer includes one extruder doing most of the work while the other remains idle. This process allows the printer to change colors seamlessly and provide impeccable results. Nevertheless, this process isn’t flawless, and the printer might encounter a few snags. Excess filament can ooze out when one of the extruders moves to another area. If this occurs, it could stick to the object like an adhesive.
The oozing can occur from an elevated temperature or incorrect retraction speed. The easiest fix is lowering the temperature to prevent the filament from hitting its melting point prematurely.
Correcting Layer Shifting
A 3D printer’s intricate settings can be so precise that one small blip on the radar could throw it out of whack. Layer shifting happens with a misaligned dual extruder, causing it to make a stair-like figure. The only time you want to see stairs from your 3D printer is if they’re intentional.
Any nudge or hiccup in the printer could shift the tool head, leading to layer shifting. If this is becoming a problem, inspect the pulleys and belts to verify they are in the proper position and not loose. A stretched-out belt is the most common cause of layer shifting.
Changing the Hotend
“Aim small, miss small” is an adage in the military for taking down an enemy. If you hone in on a target, even your misfires will be accurate. On the other hand, something larger might cover more ground but leave more leeway.
This analogy relates to the hotend of your extruder. A small hotend can correct any color issues for more accurate printing. A large hotend tends to mix colors and produce unsatisfactory results. Hotends between 0.4mm and 0.6mm yield great results.
Clean the Nozzles
Many problems with electronics and high-tech equipment could have simple causes, such as being dirty. Giving your independent dual extruder 3D printer a little TLC can go a long way in fixing its issues.
The inner workings of the printer clean the nozzles to guarantee pure colors. However, those components may break, dirtying up the nozzles. Thoroughly inspect the silicone cloths that clean your nozzles—that may be the answer you’re looking for!
Following these troubleshooting tips for your dual extruder should lead to the world-class prints you’d expect from the options at 3D Printers Depot. We carry the top brands in the 3D printing world at fair prices!