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  1. #1

    Need help getting Makerbot printer going

    Hi

    We recently procured a Makerbot Replicator (5th gen) 3D printer and set it up as per the instructions in the manual. We loaded the filament in the extruder and a little bit of molten PLA came out. However, we couldnt print that time as we didnt have a model available in the correct format.
    Subsequently whenever we try to print, nothing comes out of the extruder. We have unloaded and loaded the filament multiple times as suggested in the troubleshooting documents but it still doesnt work.
    Havent been able to print anything at all! Please help!!!

  2. #2
    Senior Engineer
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    Jun 2014
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    Doers it extrude when you unload and load again?

  3. #3
    Quote Originally Posted by Mjolinor View Post
    Doers it extrude when you unload and load again?
    No it doesnt extrude at on unloading and loading again.

  4. #4
    Senior Engineer
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    Jun 2014
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    Then it is not loading correctly, leave it longer. It sounds as though the filament may be broken. Does the head tick when you load it? does the filament come out when you unload it?

  5. #5
    The filament comes out easily when we unload and gets pulled in on loading. Sometimes there is a knocking sound. The loading process times out but nothing comes out of the extruder. What would you suggest doing? Thanks again.

  6. #6
    Senior Engineer
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    The filament is broken in the heated part of the head or you are not heating the head up. Do the temperatures read correctly.

    From cold using preheat the temperature should start around 20 degrees and climb to 230 or so over about 3 minutes. Do you see that happen?

  7. #7
    Yes the temperature does go up to over 200. The head is heating up. We tried touching it when the temp wasnt too high

  8. #8
    Senior Engineer
    Join Date
    Jun 2014
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    Burnley, UK
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    Blisters is a good way to know it is hot.

    I reckon your filament is broken inside the tube. You will either have to dismantle the head so you can poke it out or heat the hell out of it and see if it runs out.

    Keep "loading" it for 15 minutes or so then put the filament in, see if it clears

  9. #9
    Thanks. Will try heating its guts out on Monday and let you know how it goes

  10. #10
    Tried melting it today. Left to heat for 15-20 mins 2 times separately but nothing came out

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