MakerBot Replicator
 | |
| Owner/Loaner | PS:One |
|---|---|
| Serial Number | 8044 |
| Make/Model | Makerbot Replicator Dual |
| Arrival Date | October 2012 |
| Usability | yes |
| Contact | CNC Area Host |
| Where | 2nd Floor |
| Authorization Needed | NO |
| Hackable | NO |
| Estimated Value | $2000 |
| Host Area | {{{hostarea}}} |
To Fix or Verify
- Heat bed is partially removed, someone soldered some of the connectors onto the board. Determine if replacement board works with the original connector.
- Does it turn on and everything heat up?
- Are any of the extruders currently jammed?
- Level nozzles.
- Level bed.
Current Status
February 20, 2015: Left extruder working, right extruder not feeding properly.
Notes
- Only 3 bed leveling nuts are installed because it is significantly easier to level with only three points. The newest machines from Makerbot feature only three leveling points from the factory.
- Both extruders working, but periodically jamming. See the "Clearing a Filament Jam" video on Makerbot's maintenance page for the Replicator . http://www.makerbot.com/support/replicator/documentation/maintenance/
References
[https://groups.google.com/forum/#!forum/makerbot-users MakerBot UserGroup on Google Groups ]
How To Use
General Instructions
When you get stuck and can't find the information you need on this page, google is your friend. So is http://support.makerbot.com [1]. There's a lot of information on this machine out there, so don't be afraid to do some research. It'll be fun. Plus, you can come back here and contribute your findings.
Machine-specific manufacturer's support page at http://www.makerbot.com/support/replicator/ [2]
MakerBot has deleted a lot of threads on their support board, but the Google Group (see References, above) is independent, open and active.
Get a Thing to print
You can add any STL file to either MakerWare or MakerBot Desktop software, and create a file to put on an SD card to use in the printer.
Youc can also download things from Thingiverse, or some other website.
Howto 3D Print a Squirrel on the Makerbot Replicator
Make something to print
Model something of your own; 3D modeling primer
Your Thing should be a "watertight", solid model in STL format (binary or ASCII, doesn't matter).
Slice Your Model
This Replicator Dual is running firmware that only recognizes .x3g format files.
You'll need to turn your 3D model into toolpaths that the printer understands. This involves "slicing" your model into a bunch of layers. To do this we'll need some software.
It's best to stick with MakerWare. There are plenty of other options which you can try if you're adventurous, but MakerWare has been developed by MakerBot to provide an easy experience with the Replicator.
Once you've got MakerWare downloaded and installed, follow these basic steps:
- Drag and drop your STL into the model environment
- Use the "Move", "Rotate", and "Scale" functions to alter your model as needed (remember to click "View" before trying to rotate the view again)
- Click on your model, and select your extruder under the "Object" menu on the bottom left (make sure to use the right extruder while the left one isn't working)
- Click "Make"
- Select "Export to a File", and export for "The Replicator (Dual)"
- The 3 default profiles (low, standard, high) are a good place to start (but keep in mind that the "high" setting will take much longer to slice)
- Make sure "Raft" is selected
- If your model has significant bridges or overhang, make sure "Supports" is also selected
Loading a file in the printer
- Turn on the machine using the switch on the back
- Put in the SD card
- From the main menu, using the rubber-covered button pad next to the LCD display, select "Build from SD"
- Select your file
The machine will now detect its limits, start preheating the extruder, and print your thing.
The SD Card doesn't work, what should i do?
- The machine is designed to take SD cards 2GB or smaller that are formatted with a FAT16 file system.
- Check the file system on the card you are using.
- for MAC OSX there are instructions here: [3]
- if that doesn't work, there is a formatting utility from SD that can be downloaded here: [4]
Tips and Tweaks
Make sure the build platform is leveled
Part not sticking?
A good solution is to increase the temperature of the build platform. In the "gcode" tab in ReplicatorG, change the text to set the bed temperature to 118 °C instead of 110º. There will be a line near the top of the file like this:
M109 S110 T0 (set HBP temperature)
Change it to:
M109 S118 T0 (set HBP temperature)
It might also say T1 instead of T0, but the important thing is that it is set to 118º. Save the file once you've made the changes, then proceed to save it as an S3G for the SD card.
Preheat while slicing your model
Preheating is activated from a menu on the Replicator's front LCD and control buttons. The machine will begin to cool immediately after finishing a part, so if you more parts to print, you should activate preheating again.