USER MANUAL
table of contents 1 2 WELCOME Safety and Compliance 05 About the MakerBot Replicator 07 getting started 10 Accessory Checklist 3 4 5 04 11 Unpacking the MakerBot Replicator 12 Setting up the MakerBot Replicator 14 Startup 18 The MakerBot Replicator Control Panel 19 First Steps 20 Makerbot desktop 24 Downloading and Installing MakerBot Desktop 25 Printing from MakerBot Desktop 26 The Control Panel 34 Home Screen 35 Print 36 Filament 40 Preheat 41 Utilities 41 Settin
table of contents 6 7 8 Troubleshooting 45 Printing Problems 46 Connectivity Problems 48 Update Firmware 50 Reference 51 Specifications 52 Glossary 53 How to use MakerBot Support 56 Contact 57 Terms 58 Welcome. Let’s get started.
1 Welcome. Let’s Get Started. Welcome to the User Manual for the MakerBot® Replicator® Desktop 3D Printer (Fifth Generation Model). The fifth generation MakerBot Replicator is super easy to use, but it’s also packed with brand-new features, so even if you’ve used a MakerBot Desktop 3D Printer before, be sure to read this manual all the way through.
safety and compliance Now, before we get going, let’s review some important safety information. RADIO AND TELEVISION INTERFERENCE This equipment has been tested and found to comply with the limits for a Class B digital device, pursuant to Part 15 of the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) rules. These limits are designed to provide reasonable protection against harmful interference in a residential installation.
safety and Compliance Safety alert symbols precede each safety message in this manual. These symbols indicate potential safety hazards that could harm you or others or cause product or property damage. Warning: The MakerBot Replicator generates high temperatures. Always allow the MakerBot Replicator to cool down before you reach inside. Warning: The MakerBot Replicator includes moving parts that can cause injury. Never reach inside the MakerBot Replicator while it is in operation.
About the MakerBot Replicator How It Works The MakerBot Replicator makes solid, three-dimensional objects out of melted MakerBot PLA Filament. First, use MakerBot Desktop to translate 3D design files into instructions for the MakerBot Replicator. Then transfer those instructions to the MakerBot Replicator via USB drive, USB cable, or your local network. The MakerBot Replicator will melt MakerBot PLA Filament and squeeze it out onto the build plate in thin lines to build your object layer by layer.
About the MakerBot Replicator MakerBot Replicator Diagrams 7 6 5 3 4 1 2 6. Filament Drawer 7.
About the MakerBot Replicator 10 11 12 13 14 14 9 Welcome, let’s get started 15 16
2 Getting Started When you set up your MakerBot® Replicator® Desktop 3D Printer, remember that it was built and packaged very carefully at the MakerBot factory. We hope you’ll take your time and be just as careful unpacking it and getting it set up.
accessory checklist The accessory tray includes everything you need to use your MakerBot® Replicator® Desktop 3D Printer, including enough MakerBot PLA Filament and blue tape to get you started. To order more MakerBot PLA Filament or blue tape, go to store.makerbot.
Unpacking the MakerBot Replicator 1 Open the Box Open the box containing your MakerBot Replicator and remove the accessory tray. 2 Remove the MakerBot Replicator Remove the MakerBot Replicator from its plastic bag and set it down on a stable surface.
Unpacking the MakerBot Replicator 3 Remove packaging material Remove the foam pieces holding the gantry and extruder carriage in place. 4 Remove clips Remove the clips that prevent the build platform from moving during shipping. Save these – they will be handy if you ever need to transport your MakerBot Replicator in the future.
Setting Up the MakerBot Replicator 1 Install the MakerBot Replicator Smart Extruder Locate and unwrap the Smart Extruder and press it against the back of the extruder carriage, with the connector pins facing the extruder carriage. Magnets will lock the Smart Extruder into place. Note: If you need to install the Smart Extruder again at any time, go to the control panel and select Utilities > System Tools > Attach Smart Extruder.
Setting Up the MakerBot Replicator 2 Install the spool of MakerBot PLA Filament 2c. Position the filament spool so that it will unwind counterclockwise and fit the spool onto the filament spindle. Be careful not to let the filament loosen or tangle on the spool. 2d. Locate the free end of the spooled filament and insert it into the filament guide tube at the upper right corner of the filament drawer. 2e.
Setting Up the MakerBot Replicator 3 Apply blue tape to the build plate 3a. Remove the build plate and one sheet of blue tape from the accessory tray. 3b. Peel back about an inch of the tape’s backing and orient the tape so that it covers the entire build plate. 3c. Press the exposed tape along one edge of the build plate. Continue to pull away the tape’s backing and smooth the tape down until the build plate is completely covered. 3d. Slide the build plate into the slots on the build platform.
Setting Up the MakerBot Replicator 4 Plug in and power on 4a. Make sure the power switch is in the Off position. 4b. Locate the power cord and plug it into the power input port at the back of the MakerBot Replicator. 4c. Plug the power cord into an electrical outlet. Caution: The socket outlet must be located near the equipment and must be easily accessible. 4d. Switch the power on and press the control panel dial.
3 Startup The first time you turn on your MakerBot® Replicator® Desktop 3D Printer, the LCD screen will start a setup assistant that will introduce you to the control panel, walk you through loading filament and leveling your build plate for the first time, and prompt you to print a preloaded example print. Press the dial to get started.
The MakerBot Replicator Control Panel The MakerBot® Replicator® is operated by means of a control panel at the upper right of the machine. The control panel includes a color LCD screen, a rotary/push dial, and two buttons. 1 2 3 4 1. LCD screen 4. Dial 2. Menu button 5. USB drive port 5 3. Back button • • • • 19 • • • • Turn the dial to scroll through the available options on a screen. Press the dial to make a selection.
First Steps Level the Build Plate The build plate is the base on which your prints will form. In order to ensure that your prints always stick to the plate, it must be a set distance from the nozzle of the MakerBot Replicator Smart Extruder. The MakerBot Replicator will guide you through making sure your build plate is at the right distance from the extruder.
First Steps Load Filament Your MakerBot Replicator uses 1.75 mm diameter PLA filament to create 3D printed objects. Once your spool of MakerBot PLA Filament is loaded into the filament drawer at the back of the MakerBot Replicator, all you have to do is load the free end of the spooled filament into the MakerBot Replicator Smart Extruder. 1. Press the control panel dial. 2.
First Steps Print a Test Object Now that you’ve leveled your build plate and loaded filament into the extruder, you’re ready to print something. The LCD panel will display some of the print files loaded onto your 3D printer’s internal storage. 1. Use the dial to highlight one of the print files. 2. Push the dial to select your chosen print. You will be taken to a file info page. 3. Select Print. The MakerBot Replicator will print the file you selected. 4.
First Steps connect to your computer There are three ways to move files from your computer to your MakerBot Replicator: USB cable, Ethernet, and USB drive. To connect via USB cable: 1. Remove the USB cable from the accessory box. 2. Insert the USB-B end of the cable into the port on the back of your MakerBot Replicator and insert the USB-A end of the cable into a USB port on your computer. To connect via Ethernet: 1. Locate an Ethernet cable (not included). 2.
4 Makerbot desktop MakerBot® Desktop is a free app for preparing 3D prints and managing your 3D content. Whether you print directly to the MakerBot Replicator® Desktop 3D Printer via USB cable or Ethernet or you export your print files to a USB drive, MakerBot Desktop is where all of your prints will begin.
downloading and installing makerbot desktop 1. Open a browser session and go to makerbot.com/desktop. 2. Select your operating system from the dropdown menu and click Download. A system-specific installer will download to your computer. 3. Double-click the MakerBot Desktop installer to run the installation wizard. Follow the installation instructions. 4. When you open MakerBot Desktop for the first time, you will be asked to log in.
printing from makerbot desktop How It Works MakerBot Desktop consists of four sections: Explore, Library, Prepare and Store. Explore gives you access to Thingiverse and the hundreds of thousands of 3D printable objects designed by the Thingiverse community. Use Explore to search Thingiverse for inspiration or new things to print, then save them to your collections or prepare them for printing. Library gives you access to your MakerBot Cloud Library and helps you organize your 3D model files.
printing from makerbot desktop finding a 3d model Every 3D print starts with a 3D model. If you design a 3D model yourself, export it from your 3D modeling application in STL or OBJ format. If you don’t have a 3D model, download one from Thingiverse, either through the website at thingiverse.com or through the Explore tab in MakerBot Desktop. • • • To open a model from Thingiverse, go to the Explore tab, locate the Thing you want to print, and click Prepare to open it in the Prepare tab.
printing from makerbot desktop preparing to print You should now see the Queen Anne coffee table model at the center of a gray rectangle. This is MakerBot Desktop’s representation of your 3D printer’s build plate. Let’s take a look at the other features visible on the Prepare screen. 1 7 8 9 10 11 2 3 4 5 6 12 1. +/– • • Click the Plus and Minus buttons to zoom in and out. • • You can also zoom using a track pad or the scroll wheel on your mouse. • 2.
printing from makerbot desktop 3. View • • • • • • • • • Click the View button or press the V key to go into View mode. In View mode, click and drag with your mouse to rotate the build plate. In View mode, hold the Shift key and click and drag with your mouse to pan. Click the View button again to open the Change View submenu and access preset views. 4. Move • • Click the Move button or press the M key to go into Move mode.
printing from makerbot desktop 9. Add File • • Click Add File to open an Open File dialog. • • Navigate to the location of any STL, OBJ, or Thing file and select the file to add a model to the build plate. • • You can add as many models to the plate as will fit. Use the keyboard shortcut • Ctrl/Command + L to automatically arrange multiple models on the plate.
printing from makerbot desktop print settings If you want to change any settings before printing, click Settings. This is where you can specify options that will affect the quality of your printed object, like print resolution and object strength. To print with standard or previously specified settings, skip this step and go straight to printing. 1. Resolution Choose Low, Standard, or High resolution to specify the surface quality of your 3D print.
printing from makerbot desktop print settings 4. Advanced Click Advanced for additional options, including temperature and object strength. For information on what the advanced settings are and how to use them, go to makerbot.com/support. You will not need to change any advanced settings to print the Queen Anne coffee table. 5. Cancel Click Cancel to return to the Prepare screen without saving changes. Any print settings you have selected will be discarded. 6.
Camera A feed of images from the onboard camera is always available when you’re connected to your MakerBot Replicator. To view the feed, click the menu icon at the right side of the status bar to open the monitor panel. As long as you are connected to your MakerBot Replicator via a local area network, the camera image will refresh every few seconds. When you connect your new MakerBot Replicator to MakerBot Desktop for the first time, the camera image may be blurry.
5 The Control Panel The control panel on your MakerBot® Replicator® Desktop 3D Printer allows you to interact with your 3D printer. You can use it to initiate prints, edit settings, and access information. This chapter describes the different things you can do with the control panel.
home screen Use the control panel to: • • Print objects from a USB flash drive or the internal storage of your MakerBot Replicator. • • Start prints initiated via MakerBot Desktop. • • Change printer settings. • • View print history and statistics. 1 2 3 4 5 6 1. Print: Initiate a print stored on a USB drive or internal storage, or synced from your MakerBot account. 2. Filament: Load filament into or unload filament from the MakerBot Replicator Smart Extruder. 3. Preheat: Preheat the Smart Extruder.
Print Select the Print icon to initiate a print stored on a USB flash drive or on your 3D printer’s internal storage. 1 select a file Turn the dial to scroll through the list of available locations. Push the dial to select the location of the file you want to print. Select USB Storage to print a file stored on a USB drive inserted into the USB port. Select Internal Storage to print a file stored on the MakerBot Replicator. The internal storage has a capacity of about 2 GB.
print 2 Start Print • • • • If you select a file from the USB drive or internal storage, the control panel will display the file screen. If you select something from your MakerBot Cloud Library, you will see a list of all the layouts associated with the file. Scroll through the available layouts and select one in order to go to the file screen. From the file screen, choose what to do with the part or layout: • • Select Print to start printing the file.
print Printing During a print, you will be able to view print progress information as well as other details about your print. 1 1. Percentage of the print completed. 2 2. Time elapsed and estimated time remaining in the print. While the Smart Extruder is heating, this area will display the current and target temperatures. 3. Location in active print screens.
print 3 Print complete If you are printing a file from Thingiverse, you will be prompted to share a photo. Photos shared to Thingiverse will appear on the Thing page in the I Made One! section. Sharing a photo is a nice thing to do – other Thingiverse users will love to see how your prints of their designs come out. To share a photo, select Share to Thingiverse. The MakerBot Replicator will take a photograph of your build area. Push the dial again to post the photo to the Thing page.
Filament Select the Filament icon to load or unload filament. To load filament: 1. 1. Use the dial to select Load Filament. 2. 2. Wait for the Smart Extruder to heat. 3. 3. Cut the end of your filament to create a clean edge. 4. 4. Grasp the top of the extruder assembly and push the filament into the Smart Extruder’s loading tube until you can feel the motor pulling the filament in. 5. To unload filament: 6. 1. Use the dial to select Unload Filament. 7. 2. Wait for the Smart Extruder to heat.
preheat Select the Preheat icon to preheat your Smart Extruder. When you select Preheat, the Smart Extruder will immediately start heating. The current and target temperatures will be visible on the main screen. Utilities Use the Utilities menu to access plate leveling, diagnostics and other tools. Level Build Plate Select to begin the assisted leveling process. For best results when leveling, make sure the extruder nozzle is clean and wipe any plastic debris off of the build plate.
Utilities system tools Additional options are available under System Tools. Home Position Select to move the build platform and extruder assembly to their home positions. The build platform will move all the way down and the extruder carriage will move to the front left corner of the MakerBot Replicator. Attach Smart Extruder Select for assistance in attaching the MakerBot Replicator Smart Extruder. Diagnostics Select to run a diagnostic sequence or to copy recent diagnostics logs to the USB drive.
settings Use the Settings menu to edit network and sharing settings and to personalize your MakerBot Replicator. Network Settings • • Network Info. Select for information about your network connection. MakerBot Account • • Unlink Account. Select to unlink your MakerBot account from the MakerBot • Replicator. You will not be able to share to Thingiverse or print items from your MakerBot Cloud Library when logged out. Other Settings • • Name.
Info Use the Info menu to view your 3D printer’s history and statistics. Firmware View the version number of the firmware currently installed on your MakerBot Replicator. HARDWARE Select to view machine serial numbers, network ID and the current temperature of the MakerBot Replicator Smart Extruder. Statistics Select to view printing statistics, including total print time and the amount of space available in internal storage. History Select to view recently printed items.
6 Troubleshooting As you get to know your MakerBot® Replicator® Desktop 3D Printer, you may run into issues with different parts of the printing process. Here is a handy guide to some simple-to-fix problems. For help with issues not covered in this chapter, go to makerbot.com/support or contact the MakerBot Support team by emailing support@makerbot.
Printing Problems Problem Solution Can’t load filament into the MakerBot® Replicator® Smart Extruder. Try unloading and loading again. Hold the Smart Extruder in place and try pushing the filament through. As long as you are holding the Smart Extruder in place, pushing on the filament will not damage it. Can’t remove filament from the MakerBot Replicator Smart Extruder. Try running the filament load script and allowing plastic to extrude for a few seconds. Then try unloading again.
Printing Problems Problem Solution Object peels off the build plate during printing. Relevel your build plate. Inconsistent plate height will lead to inconsistent adhesion. If any one part of your object does not adhere well to the build plate, the whole object might peel off of the plate. Ensure that the build plate is clean. Dust and oil from your hands or tears and wrinkles in the blue tape covering the plate can prevent objects from adhering. Wipe down the build plate with a clean, lint-free cloth.
Connectivity Problems Problem Solution Can’t access the Library, Explore and Store sections of MakerBot Desktop. You may not be logged into your MakerBot account. These features are only accessible when you are logged in. If you are logged into your MakerBot account but are still unable to access the Library, Store and Explore sections, your computer may not be connected to the internet. The MakerBot Replicator is connected to a network, but MakerBot Desktop will only allow me to export, not print.
Connectivity Problems Problem Solution The MakerBot Replicator Smart Extruder is installed, but the MakerBot Replicator does not recognize it. Remove the Smart Extruder and run the extruder attachment script by going to Utilities > System Tools > Change Smart Extruder. Print files don’t appear in USB storage or internal storage. Make sure that your print files are in the appropriate format. Print files for the MakerBot Replicator must have a .makerbot file extension.
Updating Firmware Firmware is the software that runs on your MakerBot Replicator. Keeping your firmware up to date will help ensure that your MakerBot Replicator is in the best possible working order. Firmware updates allow MakerBot to add new features to your MakerBot Replicator and improve old ones. MakerBot Desktop will let you know if there’s a firmware update available. To upgrade to the new version, just select Upload Firmware from the Devices menu.
7 Reference
Specifications PRINTING Print Technology: Build Volume: Layer Resolution: Filament: Nozzle Diameter: Print File Type: Fused deposition modeling 25.2 L x 19.9 W x 15.0 H cm [9.9 L x 7.8 W x 5.9 H in] 100 microns 1.75 mm [0.069 in] MakerBot PLA Filament 0.4 mm [0.015 in] .makerbot SOFTWARE Software Bundle: 3D Model File Types: Supported OS: MakerBot Desktop Software .stl, .obj, .thing Windows (7+), Mac OS X (10.7+), Linux (Ubuntu 12.
glossary BACK BUTTON: The button at the top right corner of the control panel’s LCD screen. The back button will often allow you to return to a previous screen or cancel an action. BLUE TAPE: Blue masking tape that makes a great build surface for objects printed with MakerBot PLA Filament. You can find blue tape at any hardware store or order sheets of blue tape sized for your build plate at makerbot.com/store.
glossary LAYOUT: An arrangement of 3D models on the build plate. Multiple layouts can be saved as part of any Thing in your Library. LEVELING KNOBS: The two knobs underneath the build platform that allow you to pivot the build plate around its center point during the leveling process. .MAKERBOT: The format of print files for your MakerBot Replicator. Print files contain instructions for your MakerBot Desktop 3D Printer.
glossary SETUP ASSISTANT: The set of tasks that runs when you turn on the MakerBot Replicator for the first time. The setup assistant helps you level the build plate, load filament and start a test print. You can access the setup assistant at any time through the Utilities menu. SLICING: The process of turning a 3D model into a print file containing instructions for your MakerBot 3D printer. The MakerBot Replicator uses print files with the extension .makerbot.
How to Use MakerBot Support At MakerBot, we take pride in offering expert, responsive, friendly customer support to all of our customers around the world. When you email or call us, there are a few things you can do ahead of time to help us help you. Have your serial number ready. The serial number helps us to quickly look up your order and get more complete information on your MakerBot Replicator. The serial number is located on a label on the right side of your MakerBot Replicator.
Contact Support makerbot.com/support Our website has extensive documentation and troubleshooting information about your MakerBot Replicator. It’s a great resource when you want to try to solve issues quickly on your own. support@makerbot.com If you ever need help resolving an issue with your MakerBot Replicator, send an email to the address above to open a ticket with the MakerBot Support Team.
8 Terms
terms Please be advised of the following terms (the “Terms”) regarding this User Manual (this “Manual”): All information in this Manual is subject to change at any time without notice and is provided for convenience purposes only. MakerBot reserves the right to modify or revise this Manual in its sole discretion and at any time. You agree to be bound by any modifications and/or revisions. Contact the MakerBot Support Team for up-to-date information.
terms LIMITATIONS OF LIABILITY.
MakerBot One MetroTech Center, 21st Floor, Brooklyn, NY support@makerbot.com makerbot.
