Printing an Extruder for the MakerBot with a MakerBot - Part 1: Base plate

This is a documentation on printing the "Printed Extruder" for MakerBot on a MakerBot.
Part 1 of 3: The Base Plate.
The MakerBot in the movie is already equipped with a printed extruder.
For details on the printed extruder, see http://wiki.makerbot.com/makerbot-127

Category:

Science & Technology

Tags:

• makerbot
• 3D printing
• printed extruder
• ABS
• plastic

[blasko229]

Why is the extruder wrapped in cotton and tape? To insulate from heat loss?

[plswog]

@blasko229 Yes. However, it's not cotton but ceramic tape (cotton probably wouldn't stand the up to 240°C). The orange kapton tape is just there to hold the whole stuff together.

[bobobano]

how solid is the final product from this thing? I've seen other 3D printers before and the final product basically crumbles if you hold it to tightly.

[plswog]

You've seen probably inkjet/powder 3D printers before. MakerBot prints with FDM (fused deposition modeling). The printed material is ABS platic (the same stuff, Legos are made of). The objects are rather solid (and usable!).

[TNG128MB]

@plswog ABS is quite strong, car bumpers are also made of it

[TNG128MB]

Print a printer with your printer :) printception

[OpheliaCoxx]

You are going to be one wealthy person. Billions!!! All you have to do is make the program a little more consumer friendly and we'll be seeing you in Forbes. Excellent Job

[DylnCox]

I want to see one of these make an Xbox 360 Faceplate....... do it.

[Collagenre]

OH GOD THEY KNOW HOW TO REPRODUCE NOW, SHUT THEM DOWN! Before they kill us all!

Oh the (trans)humanity.

[trub64]

@chorioretinitis No, it's pretty well fused together, I've never had something snap between layers

[117boonmoo]

very cool

[enticed2zeitgeist]

Is the ABS material it's made out of recyclable? Can you toss it into some kind of melting machine and reform it into something else?