Transcript
FILAMENT MATERIALS
The MakerBot Replicator 2 Desktop 3D Printer is optimized for PLA filament, while the MakerBot Replicator 2X Experimental 3D Printer is designed primarily for ABS printing. To understand the differences between these two filaments, check out the table below.
PLA
vs
X
Tolerant of outside temperature and air flow
X
Sticks to build plate very reliably, without curling or sliding
X
Can print without a heated build plate
X
Exhibits very little shrinkage
X
Available in translucent, sparkly, and other fun finishes
X
Renewable and environmentally-friendly
X
Requires less heat and energy
X
Dimensionally stable
X
Great for mechanical models and moving parts
X
Corn starch-based
X
ABS
X
Petroleum-based
X
Has a tendency to crack
X
Flexible deformation
X
Quick and rigid deformation
MAKERBOT REPLICATOR 2 DIAGRAM | OVERVIEW
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BUILD PLATFORM Build Platform: The support for the build plate. The build platform includes knobs for manual leveling and sits on the Z-stage. Z-Stage: The platform attached to the threaded rod that holds the build platform. It moves up and down along the Z-axis. 1
Threaded Z-Axis Rod: A long rod that is threaded along its entire length. This rod allows the build platform to move up and down. 2
Build Plate: The surface on which the MakerBot Replicator 2 makes an object. 3
FILAMENT Makerbot PLA Filament Spool: 1 kg spool of Polylactic Acid Filament. PLA is a renewable bioplastic. MakerBot PLA Filament is the source material from which you make objects on the MakerBot Replicator 2.
6 Filament Guide Tube: A plastic tube that guides the MakerBot PLA Filament from the filament spool to the extruder.
CABLES Power Supply: An A/C power supply for the MakerBot Replicator 2 that includes a block and two plugs. USB Cable: A cable that allows the MakerBot Replicator 2 to communicate with a computer using the USB interface on the computer. CONTROLS & STORAGE 7 LCD Control Panel: The liquid-crystal display in the front lower right corner of the MakerBot Replicator 2. This control panel provides status information about the MakerBot Replicator 2 and includes control menus and diagnostics.
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Spool Holder: A part that attaches to the back of the MakerBot Replicator 2 and holds the spool of MakerBot PLA Filament. The spool holder ensures that the MakerBot PLA Filament is fed evenly to the MakerBot Replicator 2. 5
8 Key Pad: Located to the right of the LCD Control Panel and provides directional and selective buttons to navigate through menu options. 9 SD Card: Secure Digital memory card that can store digital data and be read by the MakerBot Replicator 2.
MAKERBOT REPLICATOR 2 DIAGRAM | THE GANTRY
Nifty Note The MakerBot Replicator 2 uses a special type of motor called a stepper motor. It’s different than typical electric motors because it doesn’t just spin. It can move in tiny fractions of rotation, called steps. It’s like the ticking second hand of a clock, moving in a circle of tiny, discrete points of rotation.
Y-AXIS Back and Forth
X-AXIS Right to Left
FILAMENT
Z-AXIS Up and Down
DRIVE BLOCK HOT END NOZZLE LAYER HEIGHT BUILD PLATE
Gantry System: The rod structure on the X (left & right) and Y (forward & backward) axes that the extruder assembly moves along. End Stops: Small electronic sensors on all three axes that communicate the end of each axis to the MightyBoard.
MAKERBOT REPLICATOR 2 DIAGRAM | THE EXTRUDER ASSEMBLY ACTIVE COOLING FAN
STEPPER MOTOR
Motor Assembly
Fan Assembly *Used to keep the extruder cool while Making
DRIVE BLOCK DRIVE GEAR (on shaft of motor)
FAN GUARD
EXTRUDER FAN
Bar Mount Assembly *view from back
HEAT SINK THERMAL BARRIER TUBE SPACERS HEATER CARTRIDGE
BAR MOUNT THERMAL CORE
THERMOCOUPLE
EXTRUDER ASSEMBLY
BAR MOUNT ASSEMBLY
Extruder: Draws MakerBot PLA Filament from the spool and pushes it into the nozzle where it is heated and squeezed onto the build plate.
Bar Mount: Aluminum block that houses the thermal barrier tube and acts as the meeting point of the extruder assembly and the gantry.
Extruder Cable Wrap: Protective wrap that covers and holds together the wires connecting the Extruder assembly to the MakerBot Mighty Board.
Thermal Barrier Tube: A threaded tube seated in the bar mount that leads to the nozzle. This is where filament is heated through for extrusion.
Fan Guard: A grill that protects the extruder fan and protects the user from the fan.
Heater Cartridge: A device which heats the thermal core in order to melt the filament as it extrudes.
Extruder Fan: The fan that keeps the MakerBot Replicator 2 motor cool and disperses heat from the heat sink. Spacers: Plastic pieces that keep the extruder fan and heat sink secure and in place. Heat Sink: An active heat sink that dissipates heat from the cartridge heater. It looks like an aluminum plate with fins. Active Cooling Fan: The fan that cools the MakerBot PLA Filament as it extrudes.
Thermal Core: Small aluminum block wrapped in ceramic and kapton tape that houses the thermocouple and heater cartridge. It is also the meeting point for the nozzle and thermal barrier tube. Thermocouple: A copper wire device which reads the temperature at the thermal core. Nozzle: The opening on the end of the extruder from which heated MakerBot PLA Filament emerges to be spread onto the build plate.
NOZZLE
MOTOR ASSEMBLY
Motor Assembly: The stepper motor and the drive block that push filament into the extruder. Stepper Motor: The motors used to move the build plate and extruder and to drive filament into the extruder. Stpper motors contain an internal system of electromagnets and can be positioned very precisely. Drive Block: The three black plastic pieces seated on the extruder’s stepper motor that house a ball bearing and spring loaded assembly. Motor Wires: The bundle of electrical wires that provide power to the motor. Drive Gear: The gear that drives the MakerBot PLA Filament into the thermal barrier tube.
MAKERBOT REPLICATOR 2 DIAGRAM | THE MIGHTYBOARD
LED STRIP CABLE
XYZ MOTOR HARNESS
BOTSTEPS
POWER SWITCH
POWER INPUT PORT X
LCD INTERFACE CABLE
Z Y
END STOPS
USB-B
BOT STEPS FOR EXTRUDER A
EXTRUDER CABLE
ACTIVE COOLING FAN
A custom single-board 3D printer electronics platform that can control the whole Replicator 2.
THERMOCOUPLE * RED (LEFT), YELLOW (RIGHT)
THREE WAYS TO MAKE
DOWNLOAD IT
SCAN IT
DESIGN IT
Most people aren’t 3D modelers. That’s okay! Our website Thingiverse has thousands of designs, from everyday objects to incredible creations, that you can download and make for free.
Coming soon! A program that will help you use technology to turn realworld objects into digital 3D models. Go on, scan your world!
Make something totally original, or tweak someone else’s design. Whether you want to draw straight lines or work like you’re sculpting with clay, here are some free options to get you started.
DISCOVER Browse a world of designs you never thought of; and make one for yourself.
HARD SURFACE MODELING • SketchUp • 123D by Autodesk
SEARCH Looking for something in particular? See what others have shared.
ORGANIC MODELING • Sculptris • MeshMixer
DOWNLOAD Saving a design to your computer is as easy as clicking a button.
ADVANCED • OpenSCAD • Blender
thingiverse.com
Use MakerBot MakerWare™ to prepare your design for printing. Read more at makerbot.com/makerware
WORKFLOW
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Start with a 3D file
Create or download a STL or OBJ file 3D file.
STL
OBJ
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Process it
Prepare your file using MakerWare. If loading with a SD card, MakerWare will create a savable file (Thing) and a printable file (X3G) on your desktop. NOTE: You will not be able to edit X3G files, but the existing design exists in the Thing file.
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Send it
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Using the provided SD card, load the sliced X3G file to the card. Then place the card into the slot above the control panel. If connecting with the USB cable, MakerWare automatically slices the file and sends it to the printer. No need for Thing or X3G files.
Thing
NOTE: It’s recommended to use the SD card
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X3G
SD CARD 3
Print it USB
Let the fun begin! If printing from the SD card, select “Build From SD” on your LCD main menu, scroll through the available files using the up/down arrows, and gently press the red M to select and print. 4
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