Makerbot Extruder Correction

MakerBot Is Replacing Its Most Ill-Fated 3D Printing Product

A newer, (hopefully) better Smart Extruder

Adi Robertson | January 4, 2016

[Blogger's note: Those familiar with the MakerBot extruder--the part that heats the plastic filament for deposition--know that this part has been the weak link in the product line and has caused extreme frustration and extra expense.]
3D printing company MakerBot has announced a new version of its Smart Extruder — a vital printer component whose flaws have gotten the company in hot water over the past two years. The Smart Extruder+ is designed to fit into MakerBot's fifth-generation Replicator printers, which were announced in early 2014. That includes the latest version of the MakerBot Replicator, as well as the smaller Replicator Mini and the plus-sized Replicator Z18.

[February 2015] While the [Fargo] Smart Extruders are smart in many areas, they still can not find a clog and then subsequently unclog it by themselves. Source: http://3dprint.com/41825/makerbot-smart-extruder-clog/

<more at http://www.theverge.com/2016/1/4/10677740/new-makerbot-smart-extruder-plus-3d-printer-ces-2016; related links: http://3dprint.com/41825/makerbot-smart-extruder-clog/ (Fargo 3D Printing Provides Incredibly Easy Solution to Clogged MakerBot Smart Extruders. February 2, 2015) and http://3dprintingindustry.com/2016/01/04/makerbots-smart-extruder-gets-smart-ces-2016/ (MakerBot’s Smart Extruder Gets Smart for CES 2016. January 4, 2016)>