Meet the MakerBot Replicator 2 Desktop 3D Printer

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makerbot replicator 2

Makerbot had an announcement today, and it was a doozie. Between their new 3D printer, their new 3D modeling software and their first retail store (yes, you read that right!), they have sent a signal to their competitors that they mean business.

The Replicator now has a successor, and it’s called the Makerbot Replicator 2. And it’s a beauty. It looks nothing like the old Replicator, which looks like it was built in your garage (Bre, I say that affectionately). This baby is sleek and sexy. But it’s not only a stylish new model. It’s got the specs to keep you interested after it turns your head.

I’ll just let Makerbot CEO Bre Pettis start this show off in his own words.

Now that’s a big step up from the old Makerbot. From the Replicator’s 250 microns to 100 microns now! Here’s a summary of what’s new, from the announcement on their blog post:

  • 100-micron layer resolution – If you know our machines or 3D printing in general, you understand this advancement. The original Replicator was tuned for a 270-micron layer height. 100 microns is nearly three times finer than before, which means the layers are even harder to see and feel. For those keeping score, 100 microns is also a good bit finer than the output on some much more expensive machines.
  • Huge 410 cubic inch build volume – MakerBot desktop 3D printers have never had a build volume this big. When we learned more about PLA, which works beautifully with huge builds, we knew we had to increase the build volume. This is 37% larger than the original Replicator. You can make entire projects on one build plate.
  • Optimized for MakerBot PLA – Polylactic Acid, derived from corn, has been in our repertoire for a little while, but now we’ve discovered its full power. It doesn’t have an odor, it sticks without sliding, and it makes beautiful things. That’s all there is to it.
  • Sleek, sturdy steel – The powder-coated steel frame of the MakerBot Replicator 2 Desktop 3D Printer gives it all the strength it needs for high print speeds. Plus it’s resistant to changes in temperature and humidity.
  • Smart new parts — The acrylic build plate pops out for you to grab things easier, and the bearings are oil-infused so you spend less time.

The fully-assembled Replicator 2 comes in at a $200 higher price tag than than its predecessor, at $2,199. In January 2013, the company will introduce an “experimental” two-color-capable, higher-end Replicator 2X for $2,799.

Watching the net for initial reactions, I found this comment over at RPES Blog worth repeating:

Couple of notable points, the Makerbot only processes one material — PLA. But not just any old PLA, it is optimised specifically for the Replicator 2 and Bre referred to over and over as “Makerbot PLA filament.” This is a brave move – a few people weren’t impressed, but the reasoning behind it can’t be faulted — it’s biodegradable and it also reduces energy consumption by 32% compared with the 1st gen Makerbot 3D printer. Also, the build volume for the Replicator 2 sees a 37% increase over it’s ancestor. This is good going and one of the consistent demands from users. That was never going to be a bad move. 410 cubic square inches in all, which converts to 12″x6″x6″ (xyz).

There were a couple other noteworthy items in the announcement. One is that Makerbot also introduced is a complete software update that goes by the name of MakerWare, and it brings faster and more consistent printing. And it’s no longer open source. They’ll be a lot of boos and hisses over this, but I’m not in that camp–this is a serious business and you just can’t give away all your secrets.

Makerbot says the new slicing engine is up to 20 times faster than the previous technology. The software appears to be quite intuitive. Here’s a screenshot of the new software, technically in beta. Read more about it at the link.

makerware

The other noteworthy announcement aside from Makerbot Replicator 2, is that they are also announced their first retail storefront, which opened today at 298 Mulberry Street in the Manhattan neighborhood called NoHo. Watch out Apple!

I’ll leave you with a look at the Replicator 2 in action:

It seems that Makerbot has thrown down the gauntlet, prepared to move beyond the hobbyist and into the business of 3D printing.

About Mark Fleming

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3 Responses to “Meet the MakerBot Replicator 2 Desktop 3D Printer”

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  1. orest says:

    No PLA, and single extruder sheds a bad light on the capabilities of this wanderful machine (at least compared to the old MakerBot).
    There are as well two raising controversies:
    1) Replicator 2 is not Open Hardware, even though it builds on top of reprap technology. Read the reaction of Jozef Prusa:
    http://josefprusa.cz/open-hardware-meaning/
    2) Some nasty game is played with the Thingiverse licesing – read more on http://www.thingiverse.com/thing:30808 – and credit again Jozef Prusa.

    • orest says:

      Correction: I meant no ABS/heated bed in the first sentence.

      • orest says:

        Zachary Smith aka Hoeken – the ex co-founder of MakerBot Industries considers the move to closed source as the ultimate betrayal:
        http://www.hoektronics.com/2012/09/21/makerbot-and-open-source-a-founder-perspective/

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