Makerbot 5th randomly stops moving but keeps extruding

[David_Lamm]

Hi!

Got a Makerboth 5th gen, been working great up till 3.8.x update.

Built in models work fins (the little chain etc) but when printing our own models it finishes the raft without problem, then prints for a minute or two up until it just stops moving. It keeps on extruding so a little blob is formed around the nozzle until we choose to cancel the print. Then the head moves into home position but the extruder keeps on extruding until we turn off the power. The display says “please wait” in the cancel-screen and does not cancel correctly.

To me that feels like software problems. I have upgrade to 3.9.x but the problem persists. Any tips or similar issues?

Regards

David

[Giga]

Could also ne the belt Clip, a little black plastic part connecting the belt to the extruder carriage. Check this first, it might be broken.

[Michael_63]

I have had erratic print behavior in the past on my 2X. It turned out that one of the wires in the wire harness to the stepper motor had broken, perhaps from fatigue. When the harness got to a certain position the motor would skips steps. Just a thought.

[TurtleCreations]

Hello David,

This is not an issue with the belt clip, otherwise the carriage would not be able to move to home position or anywhere else for that matter. This is a communication problem between the motherboard and the extruder carriage.

Several options:

- Your sliced file is corrupt or you USB stick has issues (how do you get the file to your printer?)

You could try rolling back to the last version that worked for you, maybe the new version has some not yet known issue with older type extruders since 3.9 is optimized for the upcoming smart extruder in February (contact MB support about this) I have not yet seen this issue with our machines, but it’s too early to tell to be honest.

- Flat cable connecting the motherboard to the carriage (to which the smart extruder is attached) is at fault.

Check this cable for damage and its connection to the carriage, the other end is hardwired to the motherboard so any issues there are highly unlikely.

- Carriage itself could be at fault, nothing much you can do about it as with all electronics in any 3D printer. You might then require a new carriage (check your warranty status and contact MB support).

- Motherboard could be at fault and might need replacing (contact MB support)

Regards,

Roland - Turtle Creations

[Giga]

Can you explain this futher? Why should the carriage be the problem for not moving in XY?

[Giga]

For the 5th Gen it´s very unlikely, that the motor wire is broken, because it does not move at all (like on the 2x in X). You have a H-Bot Design Gantry with both steppers suited in the back without moving.

[Giga]

Maybe it´s an isuue between Soft- and Firmware (because examples are working). You should also check the firmware version.

[wayneuk]

i have experianced quite a few issues with my 5th gen but not this one

[Dano]

I actually just had almost this exact same issue with my makerbot rep 2. After fiddling with the machine to no avail, I finally replaced the SD card I was using to transfer my .x3g files and the problem vanished. Could be you have a corrupted SD card on your hands.

[AMSolutions]

First of all reslice 3D model with the newest MakerBot Desktop. Secondly - how do you print it?

a) via USB

b) Wi-Fi

c) USB

3. Check with another file. Maybe your model is corrupted - check it with NetFabb basic - it has “repair” option

[David_Lamm]

Thanks, Im transferring over wifi, so SD should not be the issue.

[David_Lamm]

Thanks!,

Slicing with MakerBot Desktops default slicer. Im transferring over WIFI.

I will check the cables and then see if I can figure out how to roll back the firmware.

[David_Lamm]

I am using the latest MakerBot Desktop and im printing over Wi-Fi.

I’ve had the issue with several models. Sometimes they print fine, sometimes it fails. I’ve tried running models through meshmixers print preparation (including repairing) and cant see any impact on my results.

[David_Lamm]

I’ve checked that, both are running the latest versions.

[David_Lamm]

Will check that, but if that was broken I would get good prints half of the time, right?

[AMSolutions]

I remember that I had this problem when printing over Wi-Fi. Maybe try pendrive or USB cable?

[wayneuk]

heads up visit the makerbot euro site for a new extruder+ for half price on pre orders serial numer from your machine required

[Giga]

Depends on the speed. I had a similar issue in the past, where one pin on the carriage was broken. Maybe it is unlikely, but it´s also very easy to check

[magnacarte1133]

5th Gen: I had a glitch where the extruder was dragging on the build plate or raft hard enough to stop movement. It sounded like the machine was struggling so if your machine sounds like its moving smoothly it’s probably not your problem - just something to keep an ear out for.

I resolved the problem with firmware and desktop update AND going through a fresh leveling.

[Pagreco]

I have a similar problem and I believe that there are a problem with the connection between computer an printer. I’m using an usb cable. The printer don’t stores the file transferred from software, it has an small buffer , if the buffer gets empty without new data from computer the printer stops till new data comes… I recommend try to print loading the file to SD card