Makerbot replicator 2 3d printer video
In April , Zachary Smith was pushed out, [14] involving disagreement on adherence to open source principles, and likely also about integration with Stratasys. Private security led out employees laid off around the same time.
The deal provided that MakerBot would operate as a distinct brand and subsidiary of Stratasys, serving the consumer and desktop market segments. When acquired, Makerbot had sold printers. In April , it was reported that in an effort to integrate MakerBot's activities better with those of Stratasys, Jaglom laid off around of employees and closed the existing three MakerBot retail locations.
MakerBot's first products were sold as do it yourself kits, requiring only minor soldering, with an assembly process compared to assembling IKEA furniture. The source files needed to build the devices were put on Thingiverse , allowing anyone to make one from scratch. Because of the open source nature of the product, any suggestions for improvements came from users. During its primary production run April to September , the Cupcake CNC kit was updated several times to incorporate new upgrades into each successive version.
It shipped with many of the aftermarket upgrades that had been built for Cupcake. The stock Thing-O-Matic included a heated, automated build platform, an MK5 plastruder, a redesigned z-stage and upgraded electronics.
The Thing-O-Matic was discontinued in the spring of Assembly instructions are available online through the MakerBot Wiki. As such, the Thing-O-Matic can be heavily altered and improved by users. Some MakerBot operators developed upgrades to the platform that were later incorporated into factory kits. MakerBot has credited those early innovators in their documentation, [26] and even on some of the PCB silkscreen layouts.
In January MakerBot introduced the Replicator. It offered more than double the build volume of the Thing-o-Matic at Other features included a dual extruder allowing two-color builds, an LCD screen and a control pad.
The Replicator was sold pre-assembled with no kit version available. It was the last open-source MakerBot printer. In September , MakerBot introduced the Replicator 2. This newest model again increased the build volume, this time to The dual extruder was changed back to a single extruder head, while the upgraded electronics, LCD, and gamepad remained similar to the original Replicator.
Unlike previous models, the Replicator 2 can print only using PLA plastic, which comes sold in sealed bags with desiccate to protect it from moisture. The 2X model was intended as an experimental version of the 2 that includes a completely enclosed build area, redesigned dual-extruders, and a heated aluminum build platform — all of which enable printing with ABS plastic and dual-material printing.
The product was designed to allow MakerBot users to scan physical objects and turn them into digital, 3D printable models. The accompanying software allowed models to be edited, printed immediately, or uploaded to Thingiverse. Released alongside the Replicator Mini and 5th Generation Replicator, the Z18 offers a build volume of Envisioned as a solution for major clients, the MakerBot Innovation Center incorporates hardware optimized suite of 3D Printers , SAAS workflow software, [33] training services, and enterprise support.
Until mid , manufacturing was performed in its own facilities in New York, then it was contracted to Jabil Circuit. The New York manufacturing personnel was laid off, while development, logistics, and repair operations remain in New York. MakerBot hosts the online community Thingiverse , where users can upload 3D printable files, document designs, and collaborate 3D printing projects and on open source hardware.
The site is a collaborative repository for design files used in 3D printing, laser cutting and other DIY manufacturing processes. They sent a bust of Stephen Colbert , printed on a MakerBot 3D printer, into the stratosphere attached to a helium filled weather balloon. The desktop version of the app also offers more control over positioning and size. When the print is done the new print bed allows you to remove objects right from the plastic sheet.
This is also a major improvement over previous glass print beds which were covered by a large piece of Kapton tape. This tape often ripped while removing prints, requiring a frequent repairs.
The new print bed is removable and flexible. This means you can bend and twist the bed slightly to get objects off of it and you rarely have to resort to scrapers. Printing speed is definitely improved in this model but complex projects can still take up to 20 hours to complete. I printed two test objects on the printer.
As you can see the printer performed just fine in both counts. The new print head moves much faster than previous models thereby leaving a little trail of plastic from point to point.
These strands simply burn off. However, this is my primary peeve with the new extruder and software. All I know is that it took about two hours longer to print that triceratops when I did it on the original Replicator. I could see potentially using the Makerbot to print, say, a quadcopter propeller or dryer knob true story but anything more mission critical or needing structural integrity could be a problem.
This 3D printer builds models that you can use to size, test, and envision. Further, even though the layer height is quite nice here, you are still going to get the striations associated with this sort of 3D printing. If you need a perfectly smooth object you can get a Form Labs Form One printer, a product that products structurally coherent and smooth objects.