Stringy Prints - 5th Generation

[James Hannon]

Just got a MAkerbot Replicator 5th Generation printer and I'm having a difficult time printing stuff that looks good...

The results are very stringy/spaghetti like and not polished as I expected...  Using a raft, I am finding that when I tear that off, it doesn't break off easily and it adds to the mess..

I put a support request in yesterday, but haven't heard back, so I figured I'd ask here and see how responsive the community is...

[Ryan Carlyle]

Pics?

Don't bother emailing support, you need to call on the phone.

[Jetguy]

Well, let me welcome you to the world of MakerBot and the 3D printing enthusiasts at large.

 

Now, for the less than good news. There have been some problem with the smart extruder. Many folks have had to contact support and get replacement extruders.

Part 2 is that do not use the ticket system or email with MakerBot support. For whatever reason, that seems be be continuously a long wait for anyone who uses that method. MakerBot has set up extensive and very helpful phone support. The number is on the card you received with your printer.

So basically ALWAYS CALL support.

 

Part 3, is that because of the above 2 factors, a LOT of folks have been less than happy with the 5th gen overall. If you were to judge from comments in this forum, nearly everyone has a problem and mostly sooner rather than later with this machine.

 

Part 4, Makerbot has made some revisions to the smart extruder. Most notably, there is a difference in the fin count of the aluminum fins inside the smart extruder. The older version has 4 fins, the new one has 6 and there may be even another 3rd variant reported recently.

So I would personally identify which version you have and possible post a picture.

 

Part 5, some folks are using "oiling the filament" methods to kind of work around the issue. I personally don't think that is a good fix, but hey, the idea is to get you printing, not complaining about not printing.

 

That said, I wouldn't feel honest if I didn't tell you you only have about 14 days or less to make an inportant decision- return or keep the machine.

That should loom in the back of your head. Only you can if you think  it's going to improve to a point you will be happy or if you are going to have problems.

Hint, a few folks have made it known they returned their machines. Adding to the mix is the fact MakerBot just discontinued the Replicator-2, because it was "more reliable" and was cutting into sales. Most folks generally wen to a Replicator 2 when they returned the 5th gen.

Again, I think it's only fair to make you aware of such topics up front.

[James Hannon]

Thanks for the welcome and the honest answers...

Yeah, still no answer on the email...   But when I called the other day for something else, i got right thru...  Will keep that in mind...

I've heard lots of issues with the smart extruder...  That it got jammed easily... But would it account for the stringy prints?
I am attaching a pic of a few prints I did at various settings  

The superman came out the best, but still very stringy
the table is where I had the problem breaking the raft off...  It also printed one leg too short...
The red thing was simply supposed to be a block on high quality - i dont know what it was thinking...
the white item was a x-wing with supports (My first time trying) on low quality - it looks like it melted into itself...

[Jetguy]

Oh no, you have a MUCH bigger problem, you are shifting layers in XY.

This is another known issue but the solution is FAR more of a problem for you. What I indicates is that the plastic clip that locks the belt to the top of the extruder mechanism is broken or not clipped on your bot.

This generally has required a return of the entire machine back to MakerBot to resolve. They will not send (at least in the past and every report here in the forum) that clip to you.

[Jetguy]

Look at the pictures in this thread, you have the exact same problem.

https://groups.google.com/d/msg/makerbot/XqW-SeqN7BQ/Bh4KFQ_ylr4J

[Jetguy]

user xj5373 made a drawing of the clip.

I'm trying to find you a picture of the real thing installed and broken in a 5th gen.

[James Hannon]

Awww crap...   Not what I wanted to hear... I guess I'll be calling Makerbot asap...   At least its a known issue

On Saturday, June 14, 2014 5:30:17 PM UTC-4, Jetguy wrote:

[Connor Wilkinson]

Also, if you choose to repair and keep your 5th gen, you are really going to have to dive into the settings and create a custom print profile if you want to print something as fragile as that x-wing with supports on. You'll find that the default support settings keeps supports way too close together and too close to the model (to the point that they melt into the model and can't be removed) so you'll need to learn about all of that here for the Makerbot slicer options. It's on the support page. But these guys are right. That clip will be a real nuisance if you choose to keep the printer. Support is very helpful if you are very patient.

Best of luck to you.

[James Hannon]

Ok, spoke to Makerbot support, and sent pix over and like Jetguy said, I have to send my printer in - which I'm doing when I get home from work tonight..  So I wont have it for a week (hopefully only that long) - I can catch up on other stuff I need to learn...

I'm still hopeful with this printer....   I have a lot to learn on a lot of topics here - The X-wing is not the expected common print for me, just seeing how it would look... 

Thanks guys!

[hjorthmobile]

I hope you get your replicator back soon and i wish you happy printing. I have had really nice results with MB PLA after have mine back for repair. In the meantime you may benefit from looking at meshmixer and the support generator they have. It is manually editable and tuned well for a working 5th gen. I use the meshmixer supports mostly and have makerware supports turned off.
The colors also work a little differently. I have problems with the red MB PLA and had to fine tune white to get rid of the strings. Yellow and clear worked best on standard settings for me. I also have printed the same object at different orientations on the build plate to learn about the different ways they come out. Even turning has an effect...

P

[James Hannon]

Funny you should say that - I just download meshmixer yesterday.... and am starting to work with that now...  Like I said, I have a LOT to learn...  My initial goal is to get a odd-shaped sculpt scanned in, and get it prettied up so I can print it out as needed  (Its for a prototype board game)

This is my starting point after the initial scans...
http://www.thingiverse.com/thing:361547

[James Hannon]

So I got my Printer back from Makerbot this past Friday and had the weekend to test it out...   And I am really happy with the results - much less stringy and no shifting...  What I expected the printer to produce in the first place!

Thanks for your help guys!

[Joe Bryan]

Hey James!

Noticing that with mine it prints simple objects well, but for longer prints I get noodles.

Check out the pic, is this similar to what you were seeing?

Heres my failed batman bust. It was literally perfect until all of sudden the printer just went in to noodle mode.

http://imgur.com/108uvdN