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We hardly get cases of over extrusion these days, but Technical Support loves providing information. So we decided to write this quick solution article in case you are one of the rare cases where it seems like too much filament is extruding.

Print Setting Causes

Temperature Set Too High

Some filaments will simply undergo pyrolysis (turn to carbon, a.k.a. 'bake') when the extruder's temperature is set too high (which could cause under extrusion with a clog), while others may leak excessively, leading to over extrusion. Please verify that your temperature settings are set correctly in the print profiles that you're using. Here are some numbers for you:

ABS

• Extruder ► 230º-240º 
• Bed ►70º-80º (100% of the layers)

Extrusion Multiplier (Simplify3D)/Mass Extrusion Factor (Creatr Materialise) Too High

For these settings, you really want to keep it as close to 100% (or 1.0 in Simplify3D) as possible, as the firmware is tweaked by our programmers to produce great prints at this value. There are only very rare occasions when you should consider going above 100% (1.0), but never above 140% (1.4).

Any of the Sub-Category Extrusion Settings Over 100%

Keep in mind that even though there is an overall extrusion multiplier, there are also sub-category extrusion multipliers. Creatr Software, for example, allows you to adjust extrusions for contours, infill, and upskin/downskin settings (top and bottom layers). Though it's fairly normal to set the infill to 150% extrusion, it's not typically recommended to go crazy with these settings. If you're experiencing over extrusion, check the settings in these sub-categories too.

Nozzle Settings and Nozzle Wire Width Settings

Please make sure that your nozzle settings are for 0.35mm if you have the standard 0.35mm nozzle that comes with the printer (we also sell 0.5mm). In Simplify3D, there is also a setting called Extrusion Width (Extruder tab) that needs to be set to 0.40mm:

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Mechanical Causes

There aren't a whole lot of mechanical causes for over extrusion. However, we'll list a few.

Damaged Nozzle Tip

On the left in the image above, you can see a normal extrusion with a brand new nozzle block. On the right, you can see an extrusion with the exact same settings only with a broken nozzle. Notice the difference in extrusion widths. There is no other solution except to replace the nozzle block.

Damaging nozzles is one of the most common causes that Technical Support sees. This can be done by replacing a nozzle, aligning it too low in the print head, and then homing the glass which will press up into the nozzles. Other causes have been from using harsh cleaning tools too frequently such as a wire brush. A final cause of a damaged nozzle tip that we've seen was customers using an abrasive filament type not compatible with the Creatr HS printer (such as Carbon filament type), which will wear out the brass nozzle tips very quickly leaving a nozzle orifice that is larger than 0.35mm.

Firmware Needing to be Updated

Though this in the past has actually been a cause of under extrusion, your printer may simply need to be updated. To update the software and firmware to the Creatr HS, please work through the following three links; they must be done in the order that we've have listed them here:

Update CreatrHS Stand-Alone software

Flash New Firmware on the Creatr HS

Set extruder offset for your CreatrHS (M50)

Firmware Needing to be Tweaked

Extruders run on the same stepper motors as those of the X and Y axes. We have seen a few (and we mean VERY few) issues where these motor have needed their steps tweaked a bit in the printer's firmware. This is certainly possible. Simply contact Technical Support in a new support ticket and we can help you adjust this.

Even More Rare: Filament Wrong Dimension

Our printers only work with 1.75mm filament. If you load something else, it's possible that the 3D slicing software program may not calculate the proper extrusion for this. Technical Support has never tried this, so we're not certain if this causes over extrusion or under extrusion. However, it's an important thing to check nonetheless.

Thank you for taking the time to read through our solution article. If you have any questions regarding this article or your printer, please feel free to contact Leapfrog Technical Support where one of our agents eagerly await to assist you.