Print Flex Smart Extruder +

thingiverse

You can print flexible using this upgrade with Smart Extruder +. Normally, flexible filaments wrap around the gear, causing problems that a part like this fixes. This part closes that gap and directs the flexible filament exactly where it needs to go. When I explain this part to someone, they often ask me if it affects regular PLA prints. The answer is no, based on my extensive experience with 2 years of printing. The profile provided is mainly for NinjaFlex, but I've found it works well with all types of flexible filaments. USING AN OLDER SMART EXTRUDER? An older version of the part for Smart Extruder can be found here: https://www.thingiverse.com/thing:1224851 Important Notes and Warnings: Opening your extruder will void its warranty, which is a crucial consideration. Unfortunately, MakerBot Print does not currently support enough settings to change for printing flexible materials. Experimenting with these settings may be necessary. The only way to use this upgrade is through MakerBot Desktop, but unfortunately, it's not compatible with newer printers. This upgrade is specifically designed for 5th gen MakerBot Printers (as of June 9, 2017). I encountered an extruder issue that might have been caused by using this part, potentially wearing out the gear and affecting filament jam detection. However, this problem only impacted printing performance and did not affect overall print quality. I've used this part for over a year on the same extruder without issues, but to be cautious, I'm planning to design an improved version that reduces pressure on the gear. Photos are from my previous Smart Extruder design, and unfortunately, I don't have any images of this new version yet.