Batarang Push Pin Recovery From Clogged Nozzle

Here I learned what happens when you print for a while and the material in the nozzle starts to get clogged. I will demonstrate the basic solution to fix the issue and show how to know when you have a problem with the nozzle getting clogged. 

Although the final print worked out well this print required re-starting 3 times.
Submitted by SFlettering for the Instructables Sponsorship Program

Step 1: Clogged Nozzle View

Notice how on one side of the print not enough PLA is put into place to properly create the layer. While this happens once in a while I noticed that it only occurred on one side of the print and used that information to determine to clean the nozzle which improved the print quality and ability to make even layers.

Step 2: Cleaned Out Nozzle Clog

Here is the stage where I cleaned up- the nozzle by putting piano wire through from the bottom up with the heat still on. There was not much danger or issue in doing this although the temperature of the nozzle at 185C requires carefully threading the piano wire through to clean the nozzle and I chose to use a pliers to pull the heated piano wire all the way through because the plastic that comes out is very hot and can burn you.

Step 3: Lining Up the PLA Spool

Here after I cleaned the nozzle I am re-aligning the PLA by putting it over the back and under to keep it lined up with the print nozzle. This choice is based on the actual machine as only 1 of the 2 machines available at the TechShop have the design for the PLA to go up and over the back with a little space cut into the wood for linign it up.

Step 4: Great Print Quality With Sloping Edges

Here are several images to show off the great quality of the print achieved after cleaning the nozzle. the plastic was able to come out evenly again and create a great print that stuck correctly to the surface without a raft layer.

Step 5: Taking It Off the Tape

Removal of the printed model from the print platform is sometimes difficult based on heat settings and type of model printed. When printing a wide and "short model" it is the most difficult to remove and you can see some of problems encountered when attempting to remove the printed batarang and also removing the blue painters tape.

Step 6: Final Print Out Before Polishing

Finally after much hard work the final print quality is looking good. Altough it still needs to be cleaned up a bit the overall print quality in draft mode is better than expected. Look out for future images of this piece as it is colored with enamel paint and made to look very cool using black and red.