teaser: 3D printer broken? Fab City Hamburg e.V. is now helping non-commercial organizations with the maintenance and repair of maker machines
author: Jennifer Wilke
type: article
---
Fab City Hamburg e.V. has launched a pilot project - a free repair service for the technical infrastructure - to help non-commercial institutions to join the Fab City movement in an uncomplicated and fun way and become part of the maker community and local production - because this sometimes fails even with very simple things like a broken 3D printer!
## Broken machines can get on your last nerve
At various locations in Hamburg, students, trainees and hobbyists use 3D printers together for exciting projects or to learn more about how these machines work. A wide variety of printers are used, from inexpensive imported devices to mid-range devices.
However, it often happens that the devices do not work properly or deliver poor results. Troubleshooting such problems can be difficult due to a lack of support from the manufacturer or a lack of user expertise.
# Frequent sources of error
Werner Jarmatz, workshop leader and contact person for the new service, has compiled a list of the most common sources of errors with 3D printers:
**Mechanics**
Movement of the axes jams
Extruder does not work properly
**Electrics / Electronics**
Error in the sensor system
Loose contacts
Heating bed / hot end not working
Mainboard does not work
**Material**
Filament too old / damp
Filament not suitable for printer type
e.g. TPU with Bowden extruder
**Printing process**
Adhesion problems on the print bed
Print has poor quality
Speeds do not fit
Extrusion does not fit
**Settings / Slicing**
Wrong printer selected
Speeds do not fit
Wrong material selected
Incorrect layer height
Of course Werner can detect them all and find a solution!
## Hardware support
The free repair service and remote support are now available to find solutions at short notice. If required, a replacement printer can even be provided to ensure that projects can be completed on time. This gives users the opportunity to reintegrate unused technology into their concepts.
We encourage anyone who needs these services to contact us immediately. The repair service can get hardware back up and running in no time. Feedback on this campaign is also welcome, even from those who do not currently have a need.
Contact Fab City by email at hardwaresupport@fabcity.hamburg for more information and support.
