User guide
Your MakerBot Replicator 2X Experimental
3D Printer is optimized to print with 1.75
mm MakerBot ABS plastic lament. For
maximum performance, you must keep
your ABS lament cool and dry. Heat and
humidity can cause the ABS plastic to
absorb moisture and swell. To reduce the
absorption of moisture, keep the filament in
a sealed plastic bag when not in use.
Keep your filament tightly wound on the
spool. Loose lament will become tangled,
and can break or jam during a print.
For more details on ABS plastic filament,
see the chapter on filament in the MakerBot
Replicator 2X User Manual.
ADJUSTING EXTRUDER SPRING TENSION
FILAMENT CARE
36
Each extruder in the MakerBot Replicator 2X
includes a spring that puts tension on the
extruder bearing. The extruder bearing then
pushes the lament against the drive gear,
which drives the lament into the hot end of
the extruder. If the spring puts too much or
too little tension on this bearing, the MakerBot
Replicator 2X cannot extrude lament.
To adjust the tension on the extruder bearing:
1. Unload any lament.
2. Locate the extruder spring set screw on
the extruder that needs adjustment. The set
screw is located in the threaded brass insert
next to the filament hole in each extruder’s
drive block.
3. Set the extruder lever arm to the closed
position. The lever arm should point towards
the opposite extruder. Use the 2 mm hex
wrench from the Accessory Box to tighten
the set screw completely.
4. Turn the set screw ½ turn counter-clockwise.
5. Test the tension on the spring. You should
be able to move the extruder lever arm to the
open position with some diculty.