MakerBot Replicator 2x User Manual
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MakerBot Replicator 2x User Manual

Experimental 3d printer
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USER MANUAL | DUAL EXTRUSION

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  • Page 1 ® USER MANUAL | DUAL EXTRUSION...

  • Page 3: Table Of Contents

    TABLE OF CONTENTS WELCOME, LET’S GET STARTED. Specifications How It Works SETTInG up YOuR MAkERBOT REpLICATOR 2X EXpERIMEnTAL 3D pRInTER What’s in The Box MakerBot Replicator 2X Diagrams unpacking Your MakerBot Replicator 2X Installing Enclosure Door Handle Installing Filament Guide Tubes and Spool Holders...

  • Page 4: Welcome, Let's Get Started

    Welcome, Let’s get started.
  • Page 5 Never reach inside the MakerBot Replicator 2X while it is in operation. Always allow the MakerBot Replicator 2X to cool down before reaching inside. WARNING: Do not leave the MakerBot Replicator 2X unattended during operation.

  • Page 6: Specifications

    Filament Diameter: 1.75 mm [0.069 in] TEmPErATUrE Nozzle Diameter: 0.4 mm [0.015 in] Ambient Operation 15°–32° C [60°–90° F] Temperature: SOFTwArE Storage Temperature: 0°–32° C [32°–90° F] Software Bundle: MakerBot MakerWare ™ File Types: .stl, .obj, .thing ELECTriCAL Supports: Windows [XP/7], Ubuntu [11.10+], AC Input: 100–240V, ~4 amps, 50–60 Hz...

  • Page 7: How It Works

    MakerBot Filament. Your 3D design files are translated into instructions for the MakerBot Replicator 2X and sent to the machine via USB cable or SD card. Then the MakerBot Replicator 2X heats the MakerBot Filament and squeezes it out through a nozzle onto a heated surface to build a solid object, layer by layer.

  • Page 8: Bsetting Up Your Makerbot Replicator 2X Experimental 3D Printer

    Setting Up Your MakerBot Replicator ® ® Experimental 3D Printer...
  • Page 9 We hope you’ll take your time and be just as careful unpacking it and getting set up. NOTE: Do not force or tear anything during unpacking and setup. This may damage the MakerBot Replicator 2X. B SETTING UP YOUR MAkERBOT REPLICATOR 2X EXPERIMENTAL 3D PRINTER...

  • Page 10: What's In The Box

    Filament [1lb Spools] tubes Power supply USB-A to MakerBot tape kapton tape sheets and cable USB-B cable applicator SD card Hex wrenches PTFE-based grease Support card More options available at makerbot.com/store B SETTING UP YOUR MAkERBOT REPLICATOR 2X EXPERIMENTAL 3D PRINTER...

  • Page 11: Makerbot Replicator 2X Diagrams

    [3] hEATED BUiLD PLATE [4] BUiLD PLATFOrm [5] ThrEADED z-AXiS rOD [6] ENCLOSUrE DOOr hANDLE [7] FiLAmENT gUiDE TUBES [8] EXTrUDEr CABLE [9] EXTrUDErS [10] FiLAmENT SPOOLS [11] SPOOL hOLDErS B SETTING UP YOUR MAkERBOT REPLICATOR 2X EXPERIMENTAL 3D PRINTER...
  • Page 12 [6] CArTriDgE hEATErS [7] ThErmAL COrES [8] DriVE BLOCKS [9] EXTrUDEr CABLE mOUNT [10] mOTOr CABLE CONNECTOrS [11] EXTrUDEr mOTOrS [12] hEAT SiNKS [13] BAr mOUNT [14] SPACErS [15] EXTrUDEr CArriAgE B SETTING UP YOUR MAkERBOT REPLICATOR 2X EXPERIMENTAL 3D PRINTER...

  • Page 13: Unpacking Your Makerbot Replicator 2X

    MakerBot Replicator 2X. Be careful not to grip the rods and belts of the gantry system. Lift it out of the box and place it on a stable surface. B SETTING UP YOUR MAkERBOT REPLICATOR 2X EXPERIMENTAL 3D PRINTER...
  • Page 14 4b. A small plastic piece attached to the X-axis belt and gantry rods prevents the extruder from moving. Carefully snap the piece off of the rods and tilt it to slide it off of the belt. B SETTING UP YOUR MAkERBOT REPLICATOR 2X EXPERIMENTAL 3D PRINTER...

  • Page 15: Installing Enclosure Door Handle

    5d. Use your fingers to thread each bolt through the holes in the enclosure door and the handle. Use a Phillips head screwdriver to tighten the bolts. Close the enclosure door. B SETTING UP YOUR MAkERBOT REPLICATOR 2X EXPERIMENTAL 3D PRINTER...

  • Page 16: Installing Filament Guide Tubes And Spool Holders

    MakerBot Replicator 2X. To install a spool holder, tilt it and insert the square end into one of the openings. B SETTING UP YOUR MAkERBOT REPLICATOR 2X EXPERIMENTAL 3D PRINTER...

  • Page 17: Mounting Filament Spools And Attaching Usb Cable

    USB cable to anything yet. 8b. Do not plug the AC power cord into an electrical outlet until step 11 of this section. USB cable B SETTING UP YOUR MAkERBOT REPLICATOR 2X EXPERIMENTAL 3D PRINTER...

  • Page 18: Installing Enclosure Lid

    The small indentations at the corners of the lid should line up with the bolt heads on the top of the MakerBot Replicator 2X’s frame. B SETTING UP YOUR MAkERBOT REPLICATOR 2X EXPERIMENTAL 3D PRINTER...

  • Page 19: Attaching Power Supply And Powering On

    3D print. NOTE: The socket-outlet shall be installed near the equipment and shall be easily accessible. B SETTING UP YOUR MAkERBOT REPLICATOR 2X EXPERIMENTAL 3D PRINTER...

  • Page 20: Cstartup Process: Leveling, Loading, Testing

    Startup Process: Leveling, Loading, Testing...
  • Page 21 You can use these menus to return to the Startup Script at any time. You can view videos of the startup process on the MakerBot Replicator 2X video page at makerbot.com/support/replicator2x/videos. If you have any problems or questions, refer to the troubleshooting chapter of this manual or contact MakerBot Support by emailing support@makerbot.com.

  • Page 22: Leveling The Build Plate

    • The distance between the extruder nozzles and the build plate should be about the thickness of the MakerBot Support card included with your MakerBot Replicator 2X. NOTE: To view a video of the build plate leveling process, go to the MakerBot Replicator 2X video page at makerbot.com/support/replicator2x/videos.
  • Page 23 LEVELiNg ThE BUiLD PLATE CONTINUED Make Some Room Between the Build Plate and the Nozzle When directed by the LCD screen, tighten each of the three knobs underneath the build platform approximately four turns. To do this, you will need to raise the build platform.
  • Page 24 Adjust the Knobs as Directed The script will prompt you to adjust the knobs individually. As you adjust each knob, make sure the MakerBot Support card just slides between the nozzles and build plate. You should feel some friction on the support...

  • Page 25: Loading Makerbot Filament

    “Aaah, that feels much better. Let’s go on and load some plastic!” Before 3D printing, you must load the MakerBot ABS Filament into the extruder. The extruder will heat the MakerBot ABS Filament and use the melted material to build things.
  • Page 26 LOADiNg mAKErBOT FiLAmENT CONTINUED Remove the Enclosure Lid Lift the enclosure lid from the top of the MakerBot Replicator 2X and set it aside. Detach the Filament Guide Tubes Locate where the filament guide tubes attach to the extruders. You must remove...
  • Page 27 Feed the Filament Through the Filament Guide Tube | Continued Ensure that you feed the filament from the spool on the right side of the MakerBot Replicator 2X into the filament guide tube on the right side, and that you feed the filament from the spool on the left into the filament guide tube on the left.
  • Page 28 MakerBot ABS Filament into the right extruder. Click through the message until your MakerBot Replicator 2X asks you to press the M when you see plastic extruding. Push the Filament into the Right Extruder...
  • Page 29 M button. Press the M to Continue After the MakerBot ABS Filament is loaded into the right extruder, the LCD panel will prompt you to load filament into the left extruder. Click through the message until your MakerBot Replicator 2X asks you to press the M when you see plastic extruding.
  • Page 30 Stop Extrusion Watch the left extruder nozzle. After a few moments, you should see a thin string of the MakerBot ABS Filament that you loaded come out of the nozzle. Press the M button to stop extrusion. Return the Filament Guide Tubes Push the guide tubes back into the openings on the tops of the extruders.

  • Page 31: Unloading Makerbot Filament

    NOTE: If you have problems or need to load MakerBot Filament again, you can use the up and down arrows to scroll through the top-level menu on the LCD panel and use the M button to select Utilities.

  • Page 32: Making A Test Object From The Sd Card

    2a. Use the up and down arrow buttons to navigate through the list of files on the SD card. 2b. To select a file, press M. 2c. The MakerBot Replicator 2X Experimental 3D Printer will begin to 3D print your object. You can use the LCD panel to monitor the temperature of the extruders and build plate and the status and progress of your object.
  • Page 33 mAKiNg A TEST OBjECT FrOm ThE SD CArD CONTINUED Test Objects Available on the SD Card ChAiN LiNKS COmB mr jAwS File Name: Chain Links File Name: Comb File Name: Mr Jaws Make Time: 12 Minutes Make Time: 14 Minutes Make Time: 18 minutes Design By: Design By:...
  • Page 34 A TEST OBjECT FrOm ThE SD CArD CONTINUED Projects Available on the SD Card | Continued PET mONSTEr VALENTiNE mAKErBOT PENDANT TrAFFiC CONE File Name: Heartless Dragon File Name: pendant File Name: Traffic Cone Make Time: 40 minutes Make Time: 8 minutes...
  • Page 35 NOTES C STARTUP PROCESS: LEVELING, LOADING, TESTING...

  • Page 36: Dmaking An Object With Makerbot Makerware

    Making an Object with MakerBot MakerWare...
  • Page 37 How to make an object using a computer and MakerBot MakerWare ® ™ ™ D MAkING AN OBJECT WITH MAkERBOT MAkERWARE...
  • Page 38 MakerBot Replicator 2X Experimental 3D Printer. Download and Install MakerWare 1a. Go to the computer you plan to connect to your MakerBot Replicator 2X and open a browser session. 1b. Enter the URL makerbot.com/makerware and download the correct MakerWare installer for your operating system.
  • Page 39 USiNg mAKErwArE CONTINUED Download an Object From Thingiverse Thingiverse is a website where MakerBot users and others can share design fi les. 2a. Open a browser session and go to thingiverse.com. Use the search fi eld at the upper right to search for “Minimalist NYC buildings.”...
  • Page 40 T key to go into Turn mode. In this mode, print resolution and other printing options click and drag with your mouse to rotate and send your object to your MakerBot the object. Use the arrow at the side of the Replicator 2X for 3D printing.
  • Page 41 Open MakerBot MakerWare | Continued [12] SETTiNgS: Opens a menu that allows [13] STATUS: Displays the status of your you to assign a display color to each extruder. connection to your MakerBot Replicator 2X. NUT AND BOLT Design By: aubenc...
  • Page 42 USiNg mAKErBOT mAKErwArE CONTINUED Open the .stl files in MakerBot MakerWare 4a. Click on the Add button. Navigate to the location of the file FlatIron.stl and select it. The file will open at the center of the build plate. 4b. Select the Move button and click and drag the Flatiron Building to the left.
  • Page 43 USiNg mAKErBOT mAKErwArE CONTINUED Open the .stl files in MakerBot MakerWare | Continued 4e. Click on the Flatiron Building to select it. Hold down the shift key and click on the Woolworth Building. Then release the shift key. Both models should be selected.
  • Page 44 Save and Make Your File | Continued 5b. Select the Make It button. The Make dialog will appear, with the following options: [1] mAKE wiTh: Select The Replicator 2X if it is not already selected. [2] mATEriAL: Choose the type of plastic filament you’re printing with.
  • Page 45 USiNg rEPLiCATOr g You can also use the open source ReplicatorG software to view and manipulate files from thingiverse.com and to send files to your MakerBot Replicator 2X. To download the ReplicatorG software, go to replicat.org/download. To configure the ReplicatorG software to work with your MakerBot Replicator 2X, go to makerbot.com/support/replicatorg/documentation/usage.

  • Page 46: Etroubleshooting, Diagnostics, And Maintenance

    Troubleshooting, Diagnostics, and Maintenance...
  • Page 47 This chapter describes basic troubleshooting and maintenance tasks. For details on more advanced troubleshooting and maintenance tasks, go to makerbot.com/support. E TROUBLESHOOTING, DIAGNOSTICS, AND MAINTENANCE...

  • Page 48: Troubleshooting

    The extruder lever arm the extruder(s) is open when it points out towards the side of the MakerBot Replicator 2X and closed when it points in towards the other extruder. Make a fresh cut at the end of the filament. It is important that the filament have no bends in it.
  • Page 49 Then try pulling the filament free again. The extruder lever arm is open when it points out towards the side of the MakerBot Replicator 2X and closed when it points in towards the other extruder.

  • Page 50: Extruder Disassembly

    Advanced Options section in the Make dialog in MakerWare. NOTE: For more detailed troubleshooting information, see the MakerBot Replicator 2X Troubleshooting page at makerbot.com/support/replicator2x/troubleshooting. For video walkthroughs of troubleshooting issues, see the MakerBot Replicator 2X video page at makerbot.com/support/replicator2x/videos.

  • Page 51: Diagnostics

    CONTINUED 4. Set the extruder lever arm to the open position. The extruder lever arm is open when it points out towards the side of the MakerBot Replicator 2X and closed when it points in towards the other extruder. 5. Unplug the motor wire harness...

  • Page 52: Lcd Panel | Utilities Menu

    LCD panel. Script that walks you through the initial tasks to configure run Startup Script the MakerBot Replicator 2X for your first 3D print. Engages the stepper motors. You cannot manually Enable Steppers move the build platform or the extruder when the stepper motors are engaged.

  • Page 53: Lcd Panel | Info And Settings Menu

    [On] or abbreviated help text [Off]. hEAT LEDs: Changes LED colors when the MakerBot Replicator 2X is heating. When this option is set to On, the LED color will change from blue to red during the heating process and return to the default color when the heating process is complete.

  • Page 54: Maintenance

    Over time, the kapton tape on your build plate will be scratched and torn and you will need to replace it with one of the die-cut kapton sheets that came in the MakerBot Replicator 2X package. 1. Peel off the old kapton tape and discard it.

  • Page 55: Lubricating Threaded Rod And X-Axis Idler Pulley

    4. Peel off the plastic backing bit by bit, smoothing the newly exposed kapton tape as you go. Use the tape applicator from the MakerBot Replicator 2X package to remove bubbles. If you don’t have the tape applicator, use a credit card to remove bubbles.
  • Page 56 4. Make sure you get the grease inside the threads themselves. 5. Grasp both sides of the build platform and move it to the top of the MakerBot Replicator 2X. 6. Use a clean, lint-free rag [or your finger] to spread the PTFE-based grease onto the bottom section of the threaded rod.

  • Page 57: Glossary Of Terms

    DUAL EXTrUSiON: A process in which two to describe the toolpath your MakerBot extruders loaded with two different colors Replicator 2X will use to 3D print an object. or kinds of plastic work together to 3D print GCode is converted to .x3g before being an object.
  • Page 58 USB interface POwEr SUPPLy: The A/C power supply on the computer. for the MakerBot Replicator 2X. It includes a .X3g: A compact format for describing the block and two plugs. toolpath your MakerBot Replicator 2X will rEPLiCATOrg: Free, open source software use to 3D print an object.

  • Page 59: Contact Us

    If you ever need help resolving an issue with your MakerBot Replicator 2X, send an email to the address above to open a ticket with the MakerBot Support Team. To help us understand your problem from the start, it is very helpful to include pictures or a video as attachments on your email.

  • Page 60: Fterms Of Service

    Website. Print and save these Terms and, periodically, check for the latest version at store.makerbot.com/terms. MakerBot reserves the right to modify or revise these Terms in its sole discretion and at any time. You agree to be bound by any modifications and/or revisions.
  • Page 61 Third Party Links. From time to time, this Website may contain links to websites that are not owned, operated or controlled by MakerBot or their respective affiliates. All such links are provided solely as a convenience to you. If you use these links, you will leave this Website. Neither we nor any of our respective affiliates are responsible for any content, materials or other information located on or accessible from any other website.
  • Page 62 WARRANTIES DO NOT APPLY TO THE EXTENT PROHIBITED BY LAW. PLEASE REFER TO YOUR LOCAL LAWS FOR ANY SUCH PROHIBITIONS. 11.    LIMITATIONS OF LIABILITY. MakerBot Industries assumes no responsibility, nor will be liable, for any damages to, or any viruses or malware that may infect your computer, telecommunication...
  • Page 63 13. Choice of Law; Jurisdiction. These terms of service supersede any other agreement between you and MakerBot Industries to the extent necessary to resolve any inconsistency or ambiguity between them. These terms of service will be governed by and construed in accordance with the laws of the State of New York, without giving effect to any principles of conflicts of laws.
  • Page 64 MakerBot One MetroTech Center, 21st Floor, Brooklyn, NY support@makerbot.com makerbot.com...

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