Plastic Spaghetti

magnacarte1133 · 2016-02-12T18:49:41.000Z

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,

magnacarte1133 · 2016-02-12T18:54:22.000Z

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.

magnacarte1133 · 2016-02-12T19:02:53.000Z

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.

suecottingham · 2016-02-13T16:04:04.000Z

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

suecottingham · 2016-02-13T16:39:06.000Z

Design on tinkercad and print on makerbot

suecottingham · 2016-02-13T16:39:55.000Z

Thank you. I will do that.

suecottingham · 2016-02-13T16:46:06.000Z

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.

suecottingham · 2016-02-13T17:07:21.000Z

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.

magnacarte1133 · 2016-02-13T17:28:04.000Z

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.

Andrew_Dowling · 2016-02-14T05:31:21.000Z

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.

Andrew_Dowling · 2016-02-14T05:33:11.000Z

It wont post the same error. The control board, wiring and, well just about everything is different on the 5th gen.

Andrew_Dowling · 2016-02-14T06:07:55.000Z

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.

Andrew_Dowling · 2016-02-14T06:18:49.000Z

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.

Andrew_Dowling · 2016-02-14T06:20:17.000Z

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.

Andrew_Dowling · 2016-02-14T06:27:03.000Z

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.

suecottingham · 2016-02-14T14:33:58.000Z

Ok we can do that

suecottingham · 2016-02-14T14:36:32.000Z

I probably do have the old extruder. I am not sure if they look any different. But if the update was for the new extruder which is what I am hearing and now it doesn’t work. That would make sense.

suecottingham · 2016-02-14T14:42:10.000Z

I am in constant contact with tech support. They keep askng for all kinds of things logs, serial numbers of the printer and extruder, types of computers I am using when it makes the errors (dell, HP, and Toshiba ) laptop or desktop, operating system (windows 10). Hopefully there is a common denomination that will cue what is wrong. They were going to send a new extruder then started asking all of these questions and said they had to check all of this first.

suecottingham · 2016-02-14T14:52:52.000Z

Please know I absolutely love this printer. It is the best ever! It was so easy to use and the students have learned so much! They are eager to come to science. The other 2 teams of students are jeleous and want to use it but I can’t bring their teachers into this century. This product has made a huge difference in the lives of my students. They are Title 1 students who usually feel like they cannot go anywhere and they will be in dead end jobs the their lives. This has them talking about computer design and engineering for a living and we have only done 3 products. The difference of this one printer is staggering for them. This is why it HAS to work. I can’t let this interest go. The 8th grade teachers are learning to use it now to prepare for this group coming up and the high school is ordering maker bots now too. We have made a commitment starting with this group.

suecottingham · 2016-02-14T14:54:50.000Z

We are using tinkercad right now. I will do as you suggested and check them with the other programs to make sure nothing is wrong with the tinkercad files