Cleaning Smart Extruder MakerBot Mini

How to clean the Smart Extruder of the Makerbot Mini 3D Printer?

Tools needed

• flat screwdriver
• cutter

First of all, even if it's not complicated, do not rush the operations.
Everything must be remove with care, without forcing!
Do this at your own risks, and onlyif you're sure of what you're doing!

What's the Smart Extruder?

Here is the beast. It's the all in one maintenance (and instruction!) free extruder used on the MakerBot Mini.
All should run smooth with it... except when it's not and in that case, your only hope is to contact Makerbot's support.

In our case, we didn't have the time to wait for support, so we disassembled it.

Step 1: Observe

This extruder is incased with multiple plastic clips.

Be gentle! A flat screwdriver must be enough to release the clips. Do not force or you'll be tearing off permanently those clips.

Step 2: Remove the bottom plastic part.

Step 3: Remove the second bottom plastic part.

Step 4: Remove filament's guide

Step 5: Gently remove the top sticker.

A sharp cutter must be sufficient to do so.

Step 6: Unclip the rest of plastic casing.

Be careful when opening, it's spring loaded!

Here's the clogged extruder!

The gray PLA part in the extruder feed is the part causing all the problems.

Remove it.

Step 7: Place everything back in position, ready for reassembly.

Important note: Be sure not to pinch the wires when putting back the casing!
To assemble all the pieces, just do the opposite of the following steps and as always, no hurry!

For information, we switched to an Ultimaker 2 3D printer and everything is running since that moment.