Makerbot Replicator 5th Generation Problems....

[Davidsohd]

Im having the same trouble. Very stupid design having only 2 leveling knobs. They had it right with earlier renditions by having 3 leveling knobs. (was bought buy someone else as a group purchase "hey guys, lets buy junk together") and now I have this stupid (and loud) printer that will not level.

It has its fancy light that comes on during leveling, you get it "right" using the front knob when the print head touches down in front,
lights up, then it levels using the side knob.

But THEN the print head touches down in the back and now I'm supposed to mess with the front knob again!!! What do you think will happen?
(same thing happens when it touches down on the opposite side messing up the right knob.)

I'll believe it when it says its leveled. Read to print 3-4 small objects (or one long one). When the print starts, front base layer is ok, but as it moves to print the next piece behind the first, the table is lower and the filament just gnarls up like a tangled ball of string.

Any help i fixing this or should I just get a hammer?

[American 3D Printing]

Any help i fixing this or should I just get a hammer?

Yes the hammer would be fun but wouldn't get the bed level.

Simple fix we figured out:

Ignore the assisted leveling, it doesn't work worth a darn because the smart extruder uses a hall effect sensor to tell when it has touched the bed, and hall effect sensors do not have sufficient resolution and precision for this application.

Instead, in Maker ware position a small 3D object on each of the 4 corners, start the build and just watch. It quickly becomes obvious which corners are low and which ones are high. It will take a couple iterations usually (unless you get really lucky) but this is far more effective than the assisted leveling.

Indeed, the Rep 2 leveling is MUCH faster and MUCH more effective than the 5th Gen.