So the filament being pushed in has pushed the pipe out of the connector…Ummm what can I do then?
I can release the tension and push the pipe back in but it just pop’s out a few seconds later, the printer does appear to be printing okay. Could the layer not being going down quick enough or something like that?
Is this a failure that previously was performing fine? It’s common for a 3 mm diameter bowden tube to fit poorly in a push-to-connect fitting. If you are not using the poor fitting 3 mm tubing, but instead have 4 mm diameter tubing, there may be other factors involved.
Consider to perform the following test. Remove the filament from the extruder and insert your bowden tube. While pulling upward gently on the bowden tube, examine the locking ring on the fitting. It should move upward slightly to latch onto the bowden tube, preventing removal.
If it does not move upward, use a suitable tool to gently wedge under the locking ring and repeat the upward force on the bowden tube.
I have an extruder with a similar fitting and the manufacturer/reseller provided 3D printed clips to wedge under the fitting, causing the lock to remain secure during printing. It also improved the retraction by preventing movement external to the filament. The clip was provided with the extruder (Bondtech), while I created a couple of my own design for the hot-end part of the bowden tube.
Consider a quick search on Thingiverse for a bowden tube clip, if you discover that you can wedge the fitting ring to secure the tube.
@Fred_U thanks for that, it does move up but isn’t locking the tube at all. I can slide it right out. I have just noticed a small piece of metal clip has come out of the clip. So i’m guessing its broken in some way, now I just need to find out where i can get a new one.
The fittings are not particularly difficult to find, if you can properly identify the one you have. Measure the outside diameter of the bowden tube, it’s going to be either 3 mm or 4 mm most likely. The inside diameter will be 2 mm. Remove the fitting with a wrench or a hammer and chisel and measure the diameter of the threaded portion. My ptc fittings are M5, but M4 is also available.
Don’t use a hammer and chisel, I’m joking about that part.
Finding the right connector might be hard. While it is easier to get the inner diameter right, the outer diameter at the threads is hard to find a match for. At least that was my problem. Do not be surprised if you have to enlarge your hole or do something to make it fit snuggly where it is supposed to screw in. The push fit connectors are a bit delicate for my tastes. Get a 10 count if you find them cheap. Also, if you broke that connection in the firat place, you had too much resistance and too much stepper current. The current should be low enough to cluck and skip as opposed to breaking your push fit connector. Try some cold pulls and nozzle clearing for the resistance issue.
