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My school just had a Makerbot Z18 donated to us. I have been working on it for the last couple weeks trying to get it to print detailed models at a reasonably fast pace but so far I have been unsuccessful. I have just been going from one problem to another with this printer. So far I have been able to fix the Z axis offset and leveled the bed. But the print head it jamming and the prints have blobs of filiment all over them. If you have had experience with the Makerbot Z18, any advice you could provide would be greatly appreciated. Thank you

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Hi. I have quite a bit of experience with the Makerbots from large to small and I am happy to try and help. When all parameters/variables are properly accounted for I find the Makerbot Z18 a very good machine contrary to many blogs and etc. I have read. How old is the machine? Was it a used machine or was it donated new? The reason I ask is that if it is new then all the standard settings should be still set. If is was previously used then that could be a different story and would most like suggest resetting to factory settings and then start over front the beginning. Then after that I find what version of the operating system is on. If a a new version of the machine system software is issued and then machine is not updated I run into many problems so keeping the machiner operating system up to date is vital with the Makerbots I find. Are you receiving “Filament Jams” notices or when you say jamming what do you mean?

I look forward to your reply,

Chad

ME 3D

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Can you check what version of the Smart Extruder you have? They have had many revisions and that will also help identify the source of the problem. Another thing, is this MakerBot filament or another brand?

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Hello . . . I apologize for the delayed response. I worked for MakerBot for 2 years and may be able to provide some help. The Z18s that first started shipping in June of 2014 did have a lot issues but MakerBot has worked on the printer continuously and today the Z18 should perform very well. You wrote the printer was “donated” to your school. Are saying it is new and someone else paid for it or are you saying it is a used machine?

If it’s a used Z18, I suggest you find out how old the extruder is. MakerBot has improved the extruder on the 5th Generation printers quite a bit and you want to make sure you have one of the newest ones (a new extruder is $175). You may even want to wait until after the 1st if the year when there might be a new version available.

Also, make sure you are using the latest version of MakerBot Desktop Software. it’s a free download you can find at the top of the MakerBot.com home page. MakerBot continually improves the software and that does improve the print quality. You want to be sure you’re up to date.

Hope that helps,

Jack

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Hi

If you are local to RS Components - Southampton, pop in we can help, we have a number of 3D Printers running, including the Z18

Regards

RS Components Southampton Team