I have owned a MakerBot 5th Generation printer for about six months, and won a grant for a MakerBot 5th Gen for my classroom approximately six months ago as well.
At first, both printers worked beautifully. I updated mt personal machine and desktop software with each update, but my classroom machine is not connected to a network, plus we have Windows XP. The classroom machine has the original firmware.
As time went on, the prints on both machines began to deteriorate. Prior to every print, it was necessary to run the "load filament" function or the extruders would clog. Both extruders have been replaced, and the symptoms continued. I even began to store my home filament in plastic bags with dessicant. It was not necessary to do that in my classroom, as the relative humidity is never over 20% in our building. It was still hit-or-miss regarding the success or failure of each print.
About two months ago, in desperation, I purchased Simplify 3D, and the prints on the home machine improved dramatically. I also used it to slice classroom prints, and they improved as well. I still had to perform the "load filament" function before every print, but at least the prints were coming out well.
I began to look at the Makerbot filament, and noticed dimensional variations in the diameter of the filament. I searched online for an alternative, and decided to try Octave filament and it did improve the prints somewhat.
UPDATE: Since I posted this review, the issues continued with my personal MakerBot. I encountered more frequent failed prints, the need to level the build plate more frequently, extruder errors such as temperature sag and thermocoupler failure. The extruder even popped off during one of the prints. The last time I used the machine, the build plate would not level. During the second stage of the process, the extruder would just tap on the build plate and would stay stuck on that step. On top of all this, I had to try to rescue a model where the raft was stuck to it, and stabbed my hand, ending up in the emergency room. At that point, I had enough, and after an email exchange with MakerBot, the unit went back to them today.
I plan to replace the unit with a MakerGear machine, produced a few miles from me, very soon. I've already experienced better customer service with MakerGear, and I haven't even purchased anything yet.
At first, both printers worked beautifully. I updated mt personal machine and desktop software with each update, but my classroom machine is not connected to a network, plus we have Windows XP. The classroom machine has the original firmware.
As time went on, the prints on both machines began to deteriorate. Prior to every print, it was necessary to run the "load filament" function or the extruders would clog. Both extruders have been replaced, and the symptoms continued. I even began to store my home filament in plastic bags with dessicant. It was not necessary to do that in my classroom, as the relative humidity is never over 20% in our building. It was still hit-or-miss regarding the success or failure of each print.
About two months ago, in desperation, I purchased Simplify 3D, and the prints on the home machine improved dramatically. I also used it to slice classroom prints, and they improved as well. I still had to perform the "load filament" function before every print, but at least the prints were coming out well.
I began to look at the Makerbot filament, and noticed dimensional variations in the diameter of the filament. I searched online for an alternative, and decided to try Octave filament and it did improve the prints somewhat.
UPDATE: Since I posted this review, the issues continued with my personal MakerBot. I encountered more frequent failed prints, the need to level the build plate more frequently, extruder errors such as temperature sag and thermocoupler failure. The extruder even popped off during one of the prints. The last time I used the machine, the build plate would not level. During the second stage of the process, the extruder would just tap on the build plate and would stay stuck on that step. On top of all this, I had to try to rescue a model where the raft was stuck to it, and stabbed my hand, ending up in the emergency room. At that point, I had enough, and after an email exchange with MakerBot, the unit went back to them today.
I plan to replace the unit with a MakerGear machine, produced a few miles from me, very soon. I've already experienced better customer service with MakerGear, and I haven't even purchased anything yet.
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