Did you hear the click-click sound from your 3D printer when printing ASA filament? Have you seen there is a problem with the nozzle – the insufficient extrusion, or a complete blockage? It’s ASA clogging, a frustrating phenomenon, because it often happens during the printing process, which wastes time and filament. Clogging is usually caused by a hardware or setup issue, rather than the ASA material itself.
ASA Clogging Common Causes
- Too low nozzle temperature
- Incompatible or worn nozzle material
- Degraded filament due to moisture
- Residue buildup inside the nozzle
ASA requires consistent heat to flow smoothly, any one of the reasons above will cause extrusion problems shortly.
How to Fix and Prevent ASA Clogging
Raise nozzle temperature
Usually, the ASA printing temperature is 260-270°C, depending on the printer and nozzle. When extrusion is inconsistent, you can increase the temperature by 5-10°C for more smooth flow.
Use a compatible and new nozzle
Change the suitable nozzle for better printing. And ASA benefits from all-metal hotends, which maintain high temperatures.
Dry the ASA filament
Although ASA absorbs less moisture, the damp filament can still cause flow instability. If the ASA filament has been exposed to humid air for over 24 hours, it’s recommended to dry 5-8 hours at 60-70°C before printing.
Clean and replace the nozzle regularly
Cleaning the interior of a 3D printer nozzle is one of the keys to keeping extrusion smooth. Cold pull (atomic pull) is the best way for clearing partial clogs. By heating the nozzle to the printing temperature, then cooling it down to around 150°C. Quickly and firmly pull the filament out of the top of the hotend. It should come out with the exact shape of your nozzle interior, bringing contaminants with it. Or replace the nozzle that can solve the clogging issue more thoroughly than repeatedly adjusting the nozzle settings.
Appropriate retraction settings
Excessive retraction may cause the molten ASA material to be pulled into cooler areas, increasing the risk of clogs. Therefore, maintain an appropriate retraction force and avoid using excessive settings.
Some Tips for ASA Clogging
- Use the nozzle-cleaning needle to quickly clear residues while it is still hot.
- Remove the nozzle and use a small drill (manually) or the long end of a cleaning needle to clear the clog. Check if the PTFE tube inside the hot end is aged.
- When switching from a low-temp material to ASA, it is necessary to clean the leftover before printing the ASA filament. Otherwise, the burned material can cause clogging.
Usually, the clogging issue will disappear as long as the proper temperature, dry filament, and hardware are used. Great ASA printing requires a stable setup and consistent temperature control.
If you want a full overview of ASA printing requirements and recommended hardware setups, see our ASA Pillar Page for the details.
