kstichno - I have the 5th gen. I've had it from initial release, it has about 8000 hours logged on it now. After some tweaking of profiles, it produces satisfactory prints repeatably at 0.2mm, ~80% success ratio. It's has a ~60% success rate at 0.1mm.

For comparison, I have an access to an Ultimaker 2. It preforms the same at 0.2mm, but I think has a better success ratio at 0.1mm (and quality seems to be a little better), it only has about 1000 hours logged on it though.

It seems like MakerBot has fixed most of the extruder clogging issues, via a heatsink redesign and firmware updates. After getting 4 clogs in the first 4 months, I am yet to have another one...knock on wood.

The one major drawback is they are PLA only from the factory due to lack of a heated build plate and no default access to extruder temperature changes, but with some modifications, i.e adding a heated build plate, enclosing (already taken care of on the Z18), and creating custom build profiles I can print ABS just as fine as PLA. I still haven't been able to perfect the printing of nylon though.

Pluses are the on board camera, network ( both wired and wireless) connection for sending files and viewing status, and MakerBot support if you have MakerCare (Which I definitely recommend!)

kstichno - sorry for the double post...I has a typo, it has 800 hours logged on it, NOT 8000

vinnie90 - I have 2 Replicator 2's as well as a 2x. The customer wanted the newer ones and was asking me about it. That is the only reason I ask just to get some info on if they are working like they should of if they are flops.

Her printing will only need .2 layer height and in PLA.

I know all of the in and outs of the machines, just want to hear the problems that people are having.

labtopia - I got one 2.5 mos ago and had the usual problem with the extruder immediatley- after getting the new extruder and following my suggestions in the following post have not had problems and happy customers- there are issues with the zipper and scalloping due to their software, but the prints are now reliable. see the link if you are interested. https://groups.google.com/d/topic/makerbot-users/FZlYOUOukeg/discussion

dave

labtopia - also there seem to be some promising printers at a lower price point like zyyx with more options and accessibility for slcicing software and materials. my next printer wont be a MBI.

dave

vinnie90 - I have 3 already...I don't want to start having different types of printers then that causes manufacturing issues. Different replacement parts, different slicing profiles, different finished prints....Just more head aches.

I had my fair share of problems with the 3 I have, I was able to eventually fix them all. Makerbot kinda has a bad reputation. Trust me, I gave them a bad name for a long time, however I have one printer doing close to 2,000 hours, and another at 1,200....It keeps its tolerance and prints well if you know how to do it. You just basically have to rebuild the whole thing with new parts once you get it and BAM....bad ass printer...lol

labtopia - thanks vinnie, yes i cant do anything about my purchase- but with the problems known and mitigated i'm ok with the prints within what the software they give can do.... what modifications have you done to your 5gens?

dave

vinnie90 - I dont have 5gens. I have the rep 2 and 2x machines.

The customer is thinking about buying a 5gen rep 2 or a z18. Im just trying to do a little reseach on if the machines are performing ok. If not she will buy some rep 2.

labtopia - if they need the build height, the z18 might be ok with my modded operations suggestions. from what i have read and found between a g5 and a rep2, i'd say get a rep2 in my opinion. i dont have experience with rep2 but only gen5 and i would not buy another gen5

vinnie90 - Oh wow, Ok that is the type of information I needed to hear.

To hear someone to say that they would not buy another 5gen. That means that it is not worth it.