There have been a few changes over at MakerBot, including a recently redesigned Smart Extruder+.
The redesign was part of a collaboration between MakerBot and Stratasys based on the prior MakerBot extruder’s performance with the goal of setting a new benchmark for quality.
The Smart Extruder+’s design has always allowed users to quickly change out their extruder when problems arise without tools. So what exactly has changed?
Heavily tested for improved reliability
The major goals for the Smart Extruder+ were reliability, greater print success over a longer period of time, and a product that would last longer. The best way to ensure this reliability was rigorous testing.
119 extruders were tested in total across two locations by independent teams at MakerBot’s factory in Brooklyn and Stratasys’ corporate headquarters in Eden Prairie, Minnesota. In this test, the Smart Extruder+ performed consistently and reliably for more than 160,000 hours.
Better connectivity
The Smart Extruder+ is built with stronger magnets and longer pogo pins, which helps to minimize the effect of vibrations during the 3D printing process. More vibrations can affect the accuracy of your print and rapidly wear down the pogo pins on the extruder, decreasing its life.
Keeping the Extruder “Smart”
Sensors inside the Smart Extruder+ monitor critical points in the 3D printing process, like homing, leveling, and loading, unloading, or extruding filament. Each sensor provides real time feedback to your 3D printer, MakerBot Desktop, and MakerBot Mobile.
The result? A streamlined print process that saves you time.
Read more about the changes to the Smart Extruder+ here.
Note: The MakerBot Smart Extruder+ works with the MakerBot mini, Replicator 5th Generation and Z18 – not the Replicator 2 or Replicator 2X.
For more information on how to purchase a Smart Extruder+, contact us.
