Hey all,
I’m having some issues with twisting filament. It’s not preventing me from printing, but I do have to keep monitoring the printer and repositioning the spool. Is there something I can do to fix this? I’ve Googled the problem, but nothing applicable comes up. Thanks!
I used a lazy suzan, solved my tangling problems.
You should clarify how you’re feeding the printer and where the filament is. Similar to the lazy susan approach, I use a CD-ROM spindle with some discs on it. Sounds crazy, but the drag was less than even with the lazy susan.
@Stephanie_A @Tim_Sills I’m using a vertical lazy susan (is that even technically one?), and it works pretty well, but the twisting appears to be inherent in the filament, and even when I try to rewind the filament, it’s still twisted. The filament is coming from the side of the printer closest to the extruder on a Printrbot Simple, using a direct drive extruder.
If the twisting is inherent to the spool, why not try winding it onto a new spool, allowing you to remove the twists as you transfer the filament?
Not really ideal, but its a thought. Perhaps something like http://www.thingiverse.com/thing:885242
The coiling is natural, a turn about the filament… I don’t know what to do.
I have the same (non)problem on a few rolls also, abs and pla. Try the overhead rod system (if possible), it will atleast keep the “slinky” effect from getting tangle with anything around the printer.
The root cause is likely a misaligned hobbed bolt in your extruder. Make sure it is exactly centered and your filament twisting will reduce, or possibly go away completely if you get a perfect ‘pull’ path through the extruder.
@John-Paul_Hopman I’m almost at the end of the spool, but if I get the same problem toward the beginning of another one, I’ll probably try that. Thanks!
@Duplicat_3D I threw together an overhead system with Lego Technic, and that seems to be working well. Thank you!
@Colin_Bell It looks fine. I think the twisting is a filament problem, especially as it’s never happened before. I’ll keep looking for a misalignment though. Thank you!