MakerBot Replicator 2, User Manual

Page: 52 / 60

52 E TROUBLESHOOTING, DIAGNOSTICS, AND MAINTENANCE
mAiNTENANCE
CONTINUED
Cleaning the Drive Gear
The drive gear is the part of the extruder that pushes filament through the extruder. When
you make things with your Replicator 2, small pieces of hardened PLA can stick to the drive
gear. If you are having problems with your extruder, cleaning the drive gear might help.
1. Unload the MakerBot PLA Filament
from the extruder. To start the script for
unloading the MakerBot PLA Filament,
go to the LCD panel and select Utilities >
Filament Options > Unload.
2. Unscrew the two bolts at the lower
corners of the fan guard using the 2.5
mm hex key included with your MakerBot
Replicator 2 Desktop 3D Printer. As one
piece, remove the fan guard, the fan, the
heat sink, and spacers. keep these pieces
together and set them aside.
3. Unclip the motor wires.
4. Pull the motor assembly out.
5. Find the drive gear on the motor shaft.
Using a small instrument like a makeup
brush, toothbrush or toothpick, remove all
the pieces of filament stuck to the drive gear.