Tried to post in the AMS forum but cannot create a new post in that category.
Printer P1S
I have an issue with slot 2 in the AMS. tried to find a similar issue but it seems that most people have issues with slot 3.
Prints are sent to the printer with ABL enabled.
The issue I have is that the print sets out fine, prints the purge line and the walls perfectly. When it prints the first layer solid infill, the infill does not reach the inside wall leaving a gap. Putting the filament in any other position and slicing the same model results in a correct print that will complete as expected.
My guess is either a worn PTFE tube on position 2, a worn first stage feeder or a combination of the two.
I have a print I need to complete A.S.A.P. so cannot take the AMS out of commission yet and would like some advice on whether my guess is close to the mark or whether I am way off. Hopefully I’ll be able to open the AMS up early next week. I do have 3 working feeders at the moment so not a real urgent issue yet.
This sounds like a strange one, as it works in other slots, but I can’t see how printing the infill of a part has anything to do with the AMS.
I’m presuming that the AMS First Stage Feeder is only active while loading and unloading filaments. Once the filament is at the Extruder in the head then that will take over the feed of the filament.
I believe the AMS also has a part in feeding during printing and not just getting it to the motor in the printhead. The printer has a small filament buffer that the AMS tubing is connected to. As the printhead takes the buffered filament it is the job of the AMS to push a small amount of filament to replenish the buffer.
A stripped tooth on a drive gear could affect at low speed but when running at a slightly higher speed the extra inertia could overcome the deficiency. Same with a bad tube, the drag would be harder to overcome when only a small movement is required but not so much with a longer feed.
Whatever the cause, once I have finished the parts for the current ptoject I’ll strip the AMS and take a look.I’ll probably purchase a new first feed assembly as well as PTFE tubing regardles just to have them available when they will inevetably needed.
I would swap the 2nd First Stage Feeder with the 3rd or 4th one, and see if you still have the problem, or if it’s shifted to the swapped position.
I suppose there is no harm in buying a new First Stage Feeder if it is actually faulty.
There was a problem not too long ago with a fair number of people reporting issues with Slot 2.
In those cases it was the roller the spool sits on not being fully seated. I didn’t have the issue to have more insight but apparently the rollers could be snapped into place with gentle pressure.
Swapping a suspect part with a known working part was something I used to do when I was a service engineer as most of the equipment I worked on generally had multiple identical assemblies like the AMS. Will be part of my diagnostic when I can take it offline.
Thanks for the heads up on the roller, will be sure to check it out. Not certain that is the issue though as it feeds and retracts fine at the start and when I hit the unload button in studio.
Whatever it turns out to be, I’ll be sure to report back the repair.
Opened up the AMS and swapped first feeder assembly from position 2 with the one from position 3. This was the whole unit including the PTFE tube. The suspect assembly was re-fitted in position 3.
Ran a quick print - 20mm square with 2 layers and the fault stayed in position 2 ruling out both the assembly and the PTFE tube. I then swapped the spools round but still the issue is with position 2. Next because it was suggested as a possible cause, I swapped the driven rollers arround but again the issue is in position 2. The only thing left that I can see is as causing the problem is the AMS internal hub. Would this part be considered a consumable or should I try to get it replaced under warranty ?
After mulling things over I guess that a long shot would be the motherboard. Maybe swapping the positions the two feeders (2 &3) where they plug into the mainboard would confirm or rule out the mainboard as an issue.
I purchased the printer & ams combo in June this year and the printer has 1391 hours usage.