I have tried to heat the extruder without the filament and it keeps telling me to load the filament. I am doing something wrong there. Test prints from the machine always come out right. I will keep trying.
Thank you for your help
ch4s3r
February 12, 2016, 12:21pm
18
Hi Sue! I have been wondering what software are you actually using to print? Tinkercad or the makerbot slicer?
Are you always printing with 0.4 mm layer height at least?
The max layer height recomended for a 0.4 nozzle is 0.36 mm. If the leyer height is higher the layers won’t stick well to each other.
The problem will be worse and much notable in models with smaller surface (as shown in the pict.).
Reduce the layer height to 0.15 mm (even if the prints take too much longer). If it solve the problem, increase gradually your layer height.
Don’t just math it out. Its not that simple. Things will work - there are other issues going on here. the smart extruder is far from perfect. there are a wide range of values that will work. 0,04 is not statistically significant!
I would disagree (with respect) about the .4 resolution’s significance. It’s too high for printing. For a decent fusing to the previous layer not enough surface area would, at default printing speed, would have the time to fuse (I hope that’s clear(?))
Benefit of saving time wouldn’t be worth the trouble.
Even if printing speed was slowed down, it would defeat any attempt to save time.
I her case, I’m not convinced the problem is the extruder. And if her printer is less than a year old she’s working with a later version of the extruder - a 2.0 so to speak - and most of the glitches with that version had to do with operator error.
I’ve ordered the newly release Smart Extruder +, massive testing and collaboration with Stratasys went into this one.
Can’t Wait!!
Respects,
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Don’t for get about the “integrity” of the files created by your students. Have you changed any techniques, methods, modeling software recently?
I use Meshmixer quite often to analyze an object for defects in the model. It’s open source. People also use Netfabb (sp?) to do this.
Double check to make sure the filament IS PLA. I made a mistake ordering without check to make sure of that.
After a few prints, the points where the extruder checks for leveling will develop divits, or even holes in the tape, screwing up subsequent points the extruder checks for leveling. You can save on tape if you simply carve out a section - a square - around that and or other check points and stick another piece of tape in it’s place.
I only have Makerbot filament. I keep it in the plastic bags with the little silicon packets to keep it dry when not in use. Even though I didn’t know any better until reading everyone’s posts here, I figured there must be a reason they are shipping it in bags with absorbing packets…lol. Common sense can go a long way sometimes. I can easily change the tape I have tons. I will do that Monday when I get to school. Easy enough
Design on tinkercad and print on makerbot
Thank you. I will do that.
The printer was purchased in october 2015 and delivered in November. Makerbot is is looking at replacing the extruder and has asked for my logs and since the new 1.9 download they have found a few errors in the log. Now I don’t know what that means, but probably not good.
I have no idea where the screw is. The new update wiped out every setting. They are all on zero so you are probably correct there. I found a button that says restore defaults. Would that turn it all on? I only have 1extruder now but know I need more. The school doesn’t provide this I have to so I am saving for that because I need 3. I keep the filament in the bags with the silacon beeds to keep them dry when not in use. They are kept in a drawer of the science counter. That is all i have right now.
Don’t worry about the error. It’s best to have one if you think about it. Since you uploaded the newly released 1.9, try uploading the version before this last one. Plus, uninstall MB desk top and download it again. We want to start fresh. Regardless if they replace the extruder, i would recommend getting the new Smart Extruder + before Feb 29. It’s been extensively tested and the promo of $99 end. After Feb., it’s $199.00. But Don’t regard this response as a pitch. I’ve got two i use for demo’s and I’m very satisfied.
There is a switch. It is there to stop the print when you run out of filament. On a home made 3d printer, when you run out, it just keeps going. You get a half done print. Makerbot added both a switch, and an encoder wheel (the wheel spins, it expects 5mm of filament to move, the wheel can measure 5mm, if 3mm or 8mm moves, it trips an error and stops the print “filament jam detection”). That is the “smart” part of the smart extruder. People keep posting on here - even though they CLEARLY don’t own a makerbot 5th gen. The 5th gen is a completely different type of beast. Its not a replicator 2. Its not a reprap. Its a 5th gen. And there is a reason there is one nailed to the wall of almost every makerspace out there. I got 2 years with mine - and I have learned to love to hate it. You have to treat the 5th gen differently.
It wont post the same error. The control board, wiring and, well just about everything is different on the 5th gen.
I am willing to bet she has the old smart extruder. I still have the old one. I get the feeling makerbot keeps the 3d printers in a warehouse, and hers is probably a year and a half old as of today. I agree with the get the new extruder idea. The PTFE tube the stuck inside the thing is something they should have done out of the gate. I still hate their extruder design in general though. Even the new one is still a terrible design. But its a huge step in the right direction.
Never mind the filament jam detection. If you didn’t mess with it, its on by default. Call makerbot and ask nicely. You might be able to get a second smart extruder for free. Good job on keeping the filament dry. Fresh filament is the best kind. You can dry it a 60C in an oven of some sort. Also be sure to keep it clean when its on the machine. Dust gets all over filament.
the makerbot slicer has always worked around issues great for me. Sometimes there is an actual large defect, but 99.5% of the time the makerbot slicer just makes it work.
Print only 1 thing at a time. The bird, once it has started, cant be stopped. And if it messes up, that little bird will kill your lock ness monster. As much as is possible, print only 1 thing.
