MakerBot Printers
Production printers, i.e. reasonably quality at an inexpensive price.
MakerSpace USNA has every MakerBot printer and accessory made although not all are currently in service. They are fundamentally easy to use and are a good starting point for anyone new to 3D printing.
MakerBot Method
www.makerbot.com/3d-printers/method/tech-specs/
MakerSpace names: Boyd and Lemay
Printer type: FDM
Classification: precision printer
Material: 1.75 mm plastic filaments, examples include PLA, tough PLA, PETG, and possibly other lower temperature polymers
Build volume: 7.5” x 7.5” x 7.5”
Major features:
- Heated chamber, dual filament, filament detection, closed chamber filament storage
MakerSpace USNA tips
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Do not use glue on the build plate!!!
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Even though the build plate is intended to be flexible, do not over-flex the build plate.
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As of June 2019, we are still having to authenticate to the Method printers every print. This should not be the case and MakerBot knows this is an issue. We hope to resolve it soon.
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The Method printers do print quite well although we have noted some delamination and we have not yet fully tested Method parts like we have parts from other printers.
MakerBot Replicator+
www.makerbot.com/3d-printers/replicator/#tech-specs
MakerSpace names: Beach, Fluckey, Morton, and Street
Printer type: FDM
Classification: production printer
Material: 1.75 mm plastic filaments, examples include PLA, tough PLA and possibly other lower temperature polymers
Build volume: 11.6” x 7.6” x 6.5”
- Major features: pretty limited, cheap and easy, built in camera (pretty good view field)
MakerSpace USNA tips
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Use glue on the build plate despite what MakerBot might say. Trust us…
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Check your extruder. For tough extruders, use only tough PLA. For normal extruders, use only normal PLA.
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We have very few alternate filaments.
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This is the best printer to start with because it is the easiest and simplest to start with.
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Most jobs can be reasonably done with the Replicator+ especially if the goal is only prototyping.
MakerBot Z18
www.makerbot.com/3d-printers/replicator-z18/#tech-specs
MakerSpace names: Henderson and Puller
Printer type: FDM
Classification: production printer
Material: 1.75 mm plastic filaments, examples include PLA, tough PLA and possibly other lower temperature polymers
Build volume: 19.4” x 22.2” x 33.9”
Major features:
- Relatively large build volume, built in camera
MakerSpace USNA tips
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Use glue on the build plate despite what MakerBot might say. Trust us…
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The only reason to use this printer is build volume. If your part can be printed on any other printer, use that printer.
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The Z18 is based on an older MakerBot capability, and it shows. Filament jams are quite common as are a wide variety of other errors.
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Slow file transfer times also frequently occur.
MakerBot Mini+
www.makerbot.com/3d-printers/replicator-mini/#tech-specs
MakerSpace names: Blake and Potter
Printer type: FDM
Classification: production printer
Material: 1.75 mm plastic filaments of the smaller spool size, only PLA is available
Build volume: 4” x 5” x 5”
Major features:
- Small, no onboard printer interface, built in camera with good view field
MakerSpace USNA tips
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The main reason to use is if you part will fit in the build volume. The printer is reasonably fast and simple to use.
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Filament loading MUST be done through MakerBot Print software. There is no onboard way to load or unload filament.
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USB or WiFi interface only. The WiFi interface is what is used in the MakerSpace.
Discontinued Models
MakerSpace USNA also has the following MakerBot printers which are no longer part of the normal MakerSpace but can be made available if needed:
- MakerBot 2x (dual extrusion and can print ABS)
- MakerBot 5th Generation (predecessor to Replicator)
Other areas at USNA even have MakerBot Cupcake models that date back to 2009 and are still functional!
