Hi, I’m having some issues on an A1 which I cannot seem to resolve. I ‘think’ it’s the extruder not gripping the filament properly. I sometimes hear rhythmic clicks on larger prints on the bottom layers like it’s slipping. I had an issue with this printer not long after I bought it where it would stop extruding half way through a print for a few layers then start extruding again. I fixed the issue by loosening the tension screw on the side of the print head. But now, some months later I have this issue where it seems to be struggling to extrude at a consistent rate. On smaller prints the bottom layer seems to be ok but then layer 2 upwards go bad. On larger objects the first layer starts ok for the first 10% then goes bad. Anyone have any idea what’s happening here?
Things I’ve tried:
Change nozzle
Change print bed
Factory reset
Full automated calibration again(the one you do when you first get it)
Disassembled the extruder and cleaned the cogs(had some minor oil on the big yellow cog but other then that it all looked fine).
Took the chassis apart and put it together again.
I’m quite sure it’s not a software issue as I have 2 other A1s next to it with the exact same setup and they print great.
I’m about ready to give up and throw it away which is a shame since I haven’t had it long but thought I’d try the forums before I do.
It could be speed or temperature related. Are you printing with the correct profile for the filament? I pretty much always use Bambu filaments and I use the default profiles and never get an issue.
I have 2 other A1s using the same files, same filament, same settings next to it and they print great so I doubt it’s anything settings related. Plus it used to print great with these settings.
EDIT: I will try with some bambu basic matte to see if there’s any improvement.
Check the three screws behind the hotend they can work loose and cause issues and if you say you’ve had the hotend and extruder apart that might be a reason
I will try that, thanks! I had heard something about screws being loose but I could not find anything that showed where they were. I’ve never touched those screws though so if it is that it’s a factory issue!
You need to take out those 3 screws completely, and gently fold the black block down towards you. There will then be 4 smaller screws on the back of that block responsible for holding the nozzle holster down. Those ones are the ones to check.
Did you mean on the actual back of that block? or just behind it? Because I just removed the block and tightened all the screws that it was covering. Testing now(2 of the screws were very slightly loose)
I mean the back of it. That block has a total of 7 screws, 3 accessed from the front to remove completely, and 4 on the back of it that are not visible till you take the 3 off and gently fold it down [wires are attached - hence gentle]
The second layer was bad though and it started clicking again once the speed picked up
So, I did as you said and took it off again and tightened the 4 screws at the back of the black block(they were pretty loose) and viola! second layer is perfect as well, and… No clicking. I had mentally given up on this printer and was planning when to buy another etc, so thanks!!!
One last update for anyone else with an A1. All 3 of my A1s had this issue, though on the other 2 it was not enough to seriously affect the quality of the prints(yet) so I’m guessing this is a common issue on the A1 and worth doing if you have one. The best way to check if you have an issue is to start a print with something that has a large surface area and if that first layer is not perfect, good chance you need to tighten these screws. All the ones the black panel is covering and the ones on the backside of the black panel itself.
Glad its fixed. Those heatblock screws probably need more loctite at the factory, but I think it cooks off over time anyways. Since the nozzle taps to find your bed level, if that thing gets loose in the holster at all its game over!
