Hi all, I’m new here and looking for others working with the fifth gen MakerBot replicator. Yes, I’m having issues, but technical support costs $100! Surely, there is someone out there who can answer 2 simple questions… How long are your smart extruders lasting? Is frequent clogging even at higher temps a sign that replacement is needed?
Thanks in advance!
PS I have already ordered a new one, just in case, but, it would be nice to know if I made the right call.
In my experience it will clog for no specific reason. Solution before replacing is remove the nozzle and puff whatever is clogged out. Do this while the extruded is hot meaning run load or unload and just remove the extruder
A number of people have replaced their extruder with a different printer since the problem seems endemic to the Gen5 machine. From accounts here and in the other 3D forum it seems like a ‘smart extruder’ lasts for 80 to 100 hours of printing. Even less if you get dust on your filament. Generally if they are not working your only supported option is to replace them although a number of people have successfully taken them apart. Just look for “Unclogging smart extruder” on youtube to find a bunch of examples.
You might want to know that a bunch of customers are considering legal action over the 5th gen extruder debacles… http://makerflux.com/possible-class-action-lawsuit-for-the-makerbot-replicator-5th-generation/
just pop the clips on the side open, they are usually pretty easy to unclog.
Send it back, get a refund, go buy an Ultimaker or a Lulzbot TAZ.
Send it back, buy an ultimaker.
Thanks everyone for the response. I just got back to the device tonight and was able to print a test chain fairly reasonably. Then next print… Grrr. It is almost like the little black wheel stops spinning. Unload then reload helped. I’ll keep tinkering and check into the other links shared.
Really appreciate the advice!