MakerBot Replicator 2 Notes

Very exciting, I was able to try out the new MakerBot!  Here's some notes on getting things set up.

Note: Replicator 2 uses only PLA.

I'll come back and revise some of the missing parts (e.g. the menu instructions) after  I get a chance to go through the steps again.



Power on (switch on rear right)

Load Filament

• snake the filament through the clear tube, from the back
• detach clear tube from printhead
• select menu:  utilities/filament/load (left arrow is back)
• feed filament into head
• you will feel the feeder take over
• let filament go until it touches the baseplate
• push the M button to stop filament feed
• attach clear tube to printhead

Printing from computer

• attach usb cable; usb cable falls between the two tables, fish out through the middle
• run makerware, get your model ready
• click "The Replicator 2" button
• advanced parms:  set feed travel to 60 cm/min (default is 80) for better results
• select raft and supports if you need them
• see notes below on detaching
• do something to disable sleep or you will blow your print.  on our macs, push the mouse to the bottom left corner.
• click print.
• when the unit starts, it will draw a line of filament from the front left corner to the start of the model.  watch for that, if this filament line is bad cancel your print.  

Printing from SD card

• fiddle with your settings as above
• we're still pre-7 firmware, so save as S3D
• use an SD card of 2G or less
• put your card in the slot
• menu: utilities/filament/unload

To Detach

• the baseplate will detach, push the rear tab back
• blue painters tape can be put on the baseplate to ease detachment
• lightly sand the tape for better adhesion, so the melted filament doesn't move around

Wrapping up

• log piece(s) in logbook
• unfeed filament (menu:)
• power off

And here's my first test piece!  It's a sizer for metric nuts and bolts.  No numbers printed in this version though.  Next up:  camera carrier for Bixler 2.