MakerBot has launched the new dual-extruder Replicator 2 3D printer. This is the big boy version of the previous Replicator printer. This printer is dedicated to semi-professionals. The Replicator 2 is not only a very efficient enthusiast level machine but also quite user friendly with the two extruders it is closer to a professional level 3D printer.
The technical details of the Replicator 2X 3D Printer (Dual Extruder):
Physical Dimensions
- Without Spool: 19.1 x 12.8 x 14.7 in [49 x 32 x 38 cm]
- With Spool: 19.1 x 16.5 x 14.7 in [49 x 42 x 38 cm]
- Shipping Box: 23 x 21.5 x 17 in [59 x 55 x 43 cm]
- Weight: 25.4 lbs [11.5 kg]
- Shipping Weight: 32.0 lbs [14.5 kg]
Temperature
- Ambient Operation Temperature: 15°—32° C [60°—90° F]
- Storage Temperature: 0°—32° C [32°—90° F]
Electrical
- AC Input: 100—240V, ~2 amps,50—60 Hz
- Power Requirements: 24V DC @ 6.25 amps
- Connectivity: USB, SDcard [included]
Mechanical
- Chassis: Powder coated steel
- Body: PVC Panels
- Build Platform: Heated, black anodized 356F Aluminum
- XYZ Bearings: Wear-resistant, oil-infused bronze
- Stepper Motors: 1.8° step angle with 1/16 micro-stepping
Printing
- Print Technology: Fused Filament Fabrication
- Layer Resolution: 100 microns
- Build Volume: 11.2 L x 6.0 W x 6.1 H in [28.5 x 15.3 x 15.5 cm]
- Nozzle Diameter: 0.4 mm [0.015 in]
- Software Bundle: MakerWareï¾ Bundle 2.0
- File Types: .STL, .OBJ, .thing
- Supported OSs: Windows (XP/7), Ubuntu Linux (10.04+), Mac OS X (10.6+)
Software
In addition there is an extra extruder because of which the object that is printed can have two colors as well as two objects can be printed simultaneously. Other than this there are many advantages of a two headed printer like the ability to print with dissoluble materials, to create designs with parts with different densities, and to tweak the resolution of the printer by using different sized nozzles. And, of course, there is the added benefit of printing two objects at once, though this would greatly limit the size of the printed pieces. The printer uses ABS filament where as the earlier version used PLA.
Along with the new MakerBot Replicator 2X 3D printer, MakerBot also announced a new and improved Thingiverse.com website where there are many tools that can be used by developers to create new Apps. .Bre Pettis, CEO of MakerBot says, “One of our favorite options with the new and improved Thingiverse is the customizer App, you can make snowflake that you find on Thingiverse, bring it into the MakerBot customizer, determine how many points and stars it has and then print that custom, one of a kind item right on your MakerBot Replicator 2X Desktop 3D printer.”
The MakerBot Replicator 2 Desktop 3D Printer is the easiest, fastest, and most affordable tool for making incredibly high quality models. MakerBot has set a new standard with this model in the 3D printing industry. The price for this printer is $2,499.
Image Credit: makerbot.com