Gaps and cracks in prints

[Jason]

Hello,

Got a Makerbot Desktop 5th Gen for the library I work at about 2 months ago. Note, that because the Rep 2 is no longer being manufactured, it was much easier to push a Rep 5th gen through the budget over something that would likely fall out of support sooner....

Anyway, the first 20 or so build hours went pretty smooth, without any clogs. Then, I started getting clogs, all of which I could unclog using pliers method.

Now the big issue. 99.9% of my prints are currently coming out with gaps and cracks. I've had few prints that have come out "flawless." And, of course, all of MB's test prints came out flawless. However, I find it funny that when I used MB vase maker tool, the vase came out in such a fashion that I doubt the thing could ever retain water.

I've been reading on this forum and elsewhere about creating custom profiles to raise the temp to see if that helps. I raised the temp 10 degrees and am still having the same issue. I also know that some people are doing some mods of the printer itself. I'm looking for ideas to help prints come out better without having to do mods to the printer. Because I control the printer for the library, it would be a costly error should anything happen due to my hand.

See photos. These are the same file, both with 50% infill but the second with modified temp of 225.



Does anyone have any suggestions?

[Brandon]

I'm no expert but it looks like underextrusion due to a partial clog.

We also have a Gen5 at the library I work at and were seeing the same problem for the longest time. Eventually a coworker opened the extruder right up (we're out of warranty, no option for extended warranty because we're international... Nice) down to the nozzle and cleared out some gunk that was left behind. After that we've had pretty consistent success with our prints. If you're under warranty still, you may want to contact MBI asap and get a replacement extruder.

Check out this link as well. You may not be able to implement all of these tricks but the custom profile settings might help out.

Hope this helps

[Jeff Davis]

Yes it looks to me as well that you have a plug in the extruder as well.  I'm now have very good luck with my 5th gen once I got the ideal height of the nozzle set and a very good level build plate and a PLA oiler, but I use a very light oil so it does not get gooey and sticky.  See my post:

https://groups.google.com/forum/#!searchin/makerbot-users/PLA$20Oiler/makerbot-users/l0exQKMi79o/vc5iFYYFTmcJ

Jeff

[Jason]

Thanks for the tips. Luckily, we're still under warranty, although, the replacement smart extruder I just received from MB was jammed when I got it.

[Ryan Carlyle]

On Monday, November 17, 2014 4:42:11 PM UTC-6, Jason wrote:
Thanks for the tips. Luckily, we're still under warranty, although, the replacement smart extruder I just received from MB was jammed when I got it.

You're in for a lot of that...

[Jason]

Well I received TWO more Smart Extruders from MakerBot which were BOTH jammed when they arrived. I was able to unclog the second one to get it printing but almost instantaneously the Smart Extruder jammed (a problem I was NOT having before..jamming during prints). Now, the printer seems to be all out of whack, trying to print off of the build plate. I updated firmware and software and the extruder is literally leaking filament before a print even starts and then jamming immediately. I'm sending it back for repair.....doesn't seem like there's anything else I can do at the moment seeing as I'm just having more and more problems every time I get a new extruder.