The MakerBot Replicator 2 - How It Works

http://www.makerbot.com/replicator2

The MakerBot Replicator 2 builds solid, three-dimensional objects out of melted MakerBot PLA Filament. Your 3D design files are translated into instructions for the MakerBot Replicator 2 and sent to the machine via USB or SD Card. Then the MakerBot Replicator 2 heats the MakerBot PLA Filament and squeezes it out through an extruder to build a solid object layer by layer. The technical term for the way the MakerBot Replicator 2 creates objects is Fused Filament Fabrication (FFF).

Video by: Annelise Jeske
Music by: Pira666 - "Persona migliore"
3D Prints by: Marius Watz, George Hart, and Emmett Lalish

• Category

  Science & Technology

[chrisdelgado4]

can i adjust how close the support material builds to the actual object with the replicator 2, its really hard to take off my pints?

[makerbot]

At this point the support material that MakerWare offers doesn't allow for any adjustments like that. If you have 3D modeling skills you can always create support material in your 3D modeling program of choice.

[Berhanu Z]

How does it handel cavities? Does it use a support structure to handel cavities in a model?

[makerbot]

You can choose to add break away support material in MakerBot MakerWare and the MakerBot Replicator 2 will extrude filament in a mesh-like pattern underneath any overhangs.

[KewlMovieProductionz]

what will happen if I use ABS plastic instead of PLA?

[makerbot]

3D Printing with MakerBot ABS filament requires a heated build platform which the MakerBot Replicator 2 does not have. If you tried using ABS on a MakerBot Replicator 2 you would end up with a blob of plastic and may end up damaging your machine.

[Kulololi]

I never should have watched this video, now I need to order one for myself.

[makerbot]

Yep, Sketchup can export to an STL. STL or OBJ files will work.

[jonoohart]

now i understand how it work. i need one for myself.

[SexyMusicvidschannel]

I don't need it, but I want one!

[makerbot]

Feel free to email sales@makerbot.com with questions about the MakerBot Replicator 2

[makerbot]

The material goes a long way - we were able to 3D print 400 chess pieces with one 1kg spool of filament ($43). The MakerBot Replicator 2 only works with PLA. We will release a desktop 3D printer later this year, but in the meantime you can use 123DCatch to scan objects or find objects on Thingiverse.