We have been printing like crazy with the little Afinia machine. ABS, PLA and using multiple brands of filament. For the most part it has printed very well (as soon as we figured out the "un-removable" raft situation). The PC board that is used as the print surface holds onto rafts exceedingly well and resolution rivals the Replicator 2.
Well, the thing finally succumbed to all of our use and the print head would no longer feed filament. The inevitable "clicking" of the drive mechanism (analogous to the dreaded "blue screen of death" on computers) began and we tried all of our tricks to get it going. Removed the nozzle and feed tube directly above the nozzle, cleaned them thoroughly and tried again. Nope. Got in touch with Afinia support (they are very prompt and helpful by the way) and they suggested heating the nozzle, quickly removing it as soon as it reached temperature then tossing it into acetone to disintegrate any remaining filament. We did this several times until we were absolutely sure that there was nothing left in the parts. Tried feeding ABS and PLA from three different vendors just in case there were slight variations in filament diameter, but nothing would work.
Afinia support finally decided to send us a support ticket number (an RMA number) for shipment of the part back East to Minnesota for troubleshooting. We were asked, and complied with, their request for samples of filament so that they could attempt to replicate the difficulties we were having as closely as possible. Sent it out to them on 1-25-14 so we are just waiting for an answer. Cross your fingers everyone!
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